Skyjacker Lift from FWP: Need Smoother Ride

**billyrb** · 12-15-2003, 02:03 AM

Changing shocks will help some of that. But, stiff springs are stiff, not much of a way to get around that.

**joe** · 12-15-2003, 02:05 AM

You might consider buying the rest of the skyjacker system. The "system" is new springs/shocks at all four coners where the "lift kit" is front springs/rear blocks like you have. The Skyjacker Softrider system is about the smoothest ride available for a lift kit. Rustys, Rancho etc will be a lot harsher than the Skyjacker.

**Big Blue** · 12-15-2003, 03:47 AM

I agree with billyrb with changeing the shocks. The nitro shock are supposed to be the really stiff. I think the Hydros would ride better. But again if you have stiff springs, the only thing that will cure that is softer springs.

**River Beast** · 12-15-2003, 04:18 AM

Get the hydro shocks for a smoother ride... the Nitros are charged for a more offroad vehicle...

also.. who installed the lift? Did they preload the suspension prior to tightening it?

IF you follow Skyjacker's instructions, you torque the axles to the springs and leave all the spring and shackle bolts loose until you get it on the ground under full weight and bounce on the bumpers several times.. THEN torque the spring bolts and shackle bolts to specs....

If it was tightened while on the jacks ( under full droop) you get a stiff ride and false lift....

I have the Skyjacker lift since 98 and LOVE it.... smoothest full spring lift system I have riden in to date..

***The PIG Smith*** · 12-15-2003, 04:47 AM

I'm glad someone brought up this topic.

I have a 4" inch suspension lift kit on my Wagoneer.
I think it is a Rough Country Brand, but I do not know.
It is super stiff. Very uncomfortable!

I was thinking replacing it this summer with a BJ's kit.
But, maybe or maybe not, this will solve my issue.

Todd,

If I put my rig up on jacks stands, loosen the shackle bolts, lower my rig on the ground, jump on the bumper a few times and then tighten the shackles bolts...this might help?
I do know for sure what the brand life I have,
so wonder what I should torqure the bolt to?

Also, what brand hydro shocks do you recommend?

My Wag is basically a street machine with maybe some trail riding later after I get the bug worked out.

[ December 15, 2003, 01:04 PM: Message edited by: The PIG Smith ]

**River Beast** · 12-15-2003, 05:05 AM

What shocks are you running now? Rancho is good.. I run them on RB and ProComp Explorer on my Burb... both are good...

You can try to preload your Rough Country... it may help some, but they are known to be on the stiff side....

As for torque... I cant remember exactly, the spring bolts and shackle bolts I torqued RB down to was 65 ft lbs...

**billyrb** · 12-15-2003, 05:13 AM

The PIG Smith.....uhhh, noooooo......for you, the only REAL option is to replace it with a.....a.....a BJ's Off-Road suspension kit......shocks won't help that old kit you already have.........yeah, that's the ticket......

**klank** · 12-15-2003, 05:14 AM

good info. I'll hopefully be doing a lift next year, that she be about the time this thing starts running again.

***The PIG Smith*** · 12-15-2003, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by billyrb:
The PIG Smith.....uhhh, noooooo......for you, the only REAL option is to replace it with a.....a.....a BJ's Off-Road suspension kit......shocks won't help that old kit you already have.........yeah, that's the ticket......

Ryan,

You may get a sale after tax time (later spring/early summer)

I do not know much the kit on my rig or even what shocks I have.
The PO thought is was a Rough Country, but he did not know.
He just went to a local 4X4 Shop had them install a kit.

I would feel much better if I knew what was on it and that it was kinda/sorta smooth.

I know to ask for a Caddy smooth ride with a lift kit is asking for too much, but the 2-1/2 ton truck style ride is also way to much for my dental work!

I'll get back to you for a complete kit with shocks after my wallet survives and recovers from Christmas!

***The PIG Smith*** · 12-15-2003, 06:29 AM

1jeep4me,

Sorry for HiJacking your thread.

**1jeep4me** · 12-15-2003, 12:53 PM

No problem I did tighten everything while it was still iin the air......So If I hear everybody correctly that was the wrong thing to do?

SHould I now loosen the eyelet bolts and then re tighten them after a year of them being there already? I would have figured they would have seated fairly well by now.. but I could be wrong.....

YOu know I will try dif shocks first actually because the rear is the stock spring and prior to me putting on the Nitro shocks it ran smooth Now iwth the Nitro shock on the rear spring is is real stiff....

Nitro shocks stifff correct?

WHat should I use to replace them with?

**billyrb** · 12-15-2003, 01:20 PM

1jeep4me, we can get you a deal on shocks if you'd like. We offer the Rancho RS5000's and the ProComp ES3000's. Either of these should work wonders compared to what you have now.

ThePIGSmith, to be honest, you really don't need to swap suspensions just yet. I would recommend the same thing to you: change shocks first. I tend to like to fix the cheapest part first. Trace down the problems and fix em', one by one.

**River Beast** · 12-15-2003, 01:23 PM

You can still gain a little comfort... the centerpins for the bushings of the shackles and and springs have knurled ends... which 'bite' the metal hard when you torque them down... so when you did this in the air...the rubber has to twist when you put it on the ground... which in turns wants nothing more than you go back to the position it was tightened at...

So if you loosen it all up GOOD.... bounce on it with 2-3 people and retighten.. you could feel a change right away...

this of course goes for the front suspension since you left the rear alone with the blocks...

**gsmikie** · 12-15-2003, 01:44 PM

remove the 2 bottom springs it will smooth it right out

Skyjacker Lift from FWP: Need Smoother Ride

Skyjacker Lift from FWP: Need Smoother Ride

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