VX's BUMPY RIDE?!?!

[Offroad vx]

I just installed a set of the Rancho 9000s and I'm not overly impressed with the ride. My stock shocks were trashed but the only big difference I feel is over speed bumps. I've thought about doing something with the bump stops because I think the Ranchos on the softest setting are bottoming out. But the bottom line is the VX does ride rough but I don't care it's still cool!

[VehiGAZ]

Offroad, please give full disclosure - what did you set your Ranchos at? They are 1-9 adjustable, and I wouldn't be too surprised that a soft ride would result from anything but the 7-9 range.

I'm in a similar dilemma - I just realized my 3-month old VX is not riding on the stock shocks. The ones in there are really bad - either too soft or worn out or both. I bounce down rough roads like a rubber ball. $2k for new stock shocks is out of the question, of course, so I'm looking for options.

Some posters on this board have praised the Rancho 9000s as the best mod they ever did to their VX, while some complain about them. Some say that at a max setting of 8 or 9, they are almost as stiff as the OEM shocks and have a better ride, while others have said that they are far too weak even at the max setting.

Obviously, everyone's *** has a different idea of what makes a good ride, so comparing any replacement shock to the ride of the original shock in good condition is the only decent benchmark we have to work with.

My ride is bouncy and floaty now, and that's no good. I want shocks that will control the body motions and absorb big heaves and speed bumps athletically. I went from a Prelude SH to this VX, so a stiff sports-car ride is OK by me. All I know is that I have a long way to go to get to that kind of ride.

Please, someone tell me what worked! :-)

[PeteVX]

i have rancho 9000x's set on their softest setting, i still find the ride firm compared to my nissan pathfinder but then again it corners and holds the road better than the nissan too.

I might be wrong but i think the springs are on the firm side too as far as compression goes which comes into play, so even with a softer shock which really only controls the damping you still get a pretty hard ride.

I havent heard anything about going to a softer spring anywhere... i could also be talking out of my arse too, i'll be the first to admit i'm not an expert.

At the risk of sounding like a girl I'd be still willing to lose a little handling for a little easier ride.

Can anyone enlighten us?

Pete

[Raque Thomas]

$2k for new stock shocks is out of the question, of course, so I'm looking for options.

There is a set of used (40k miles) stock shocks on eBay right now, suppossedly in good condition:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33590

currently at $55 + $40 shipping - maybe an alternative??

[VCrossfan]

Rancho RS9000X Sale is still on at Sams offroad. $223.95 and Free Shipping. Installed mine 2 weeks ago and love them. ! !

http://www.samsoffroad.com/samsoffroadsto/rancho.htm

[Offroad vx]

Offroad, please give full disclosure - what did you set your Ranchos at? They are 1-9 adjustable, and I wouldn't be too surprised that a soft ride would result from anything but the 7-9 range.

I first set them at 1 which was squishy, now they're at 3 and seem better. I'm still experimenting with them and have been bumping up a few marks at a time. I never had the chance to see what the stock ones were really like since they were leaking when I bought it. I just have issues with the ride mainly on rough surfaces and speed bumps (which I can't avoid). Speed bumps are killer in this vehicle. I will keep you posted but don't spend a fortune on something because I don't think the ride will be any better for $1800 more!

[WyrreJ]

The cure for speed bumps is to go faster. Really.
I'm sure it is tougher on the suspension, but it can really smooth out the jaring effect of the bump. This goes for most any car too, not just the VX.

[VehiGAZ]

Wow, thanks everyone for all the replies! I have new info to report too. But first...

PeteVX, you are not talking out your arsse. You are dead on, and a lot of people need to learn how suspensions work. The car rides on the springs, and the shocks only dampen the motion of the springs. Harder/stronger springs need harder/stronger shocks, which is the challenge for the VX. No one makes softer springs for aftermarket - only sport springs which are stiffer than stock. I was behind an Integra the other day that had been lowered with sport springs but had the OE shocks, and it was bouncing up and down like nuts down the highway! HAH! I'm in a similar position, but I'll get to that in a moment.

Raque - thanks for the eBay tip; I'm already watching that auction.

Offroad - thanks for the clarification. I've seen a lot of positive posts about the Ranchos and a couple of negative ones, and I figured someone had them on the softest setting and didn't like them. I'm guessing the ride will be pretty good if they are set in the 7-9 range.

New developments - I took a closer look at my suspension, and the original shocks were replaced with KYB Gas-A-Just shocks. While these may be made by the OEM company, and they are gas charged, they are NOT adjustable, as the name suggests. Also, they suck. They are not up to the job of damping those stiff VX springs. The ride is not out of control, and it is not harsh, but heave-type undulations in the road will send my VX bouncing. Now with 50k miles on my VX, those shocks can't be THAT old, so I'm guessing they were not up the job from the beginnning.

I've heard only a few but very positive posts about Bilsteins, so I'm gonna price those out, but based on everything I've read here, I am willing to give the Ranchos a try. Unless my warranty will pay for the OEMs!

This topic is FAR from settled. Please continue to post your experiences with replacement shocks. I'm sure everyone appreciates the info!

[Raque Thomas]

One other thing - I don't know if you are running stock tires/wheels - but I noticed a MAJOR change in the ride quality (much rougher) when I mounted Pirelli 285/55/18 Scorpions on my stock rims. Not sure if the tires are just that much stiffer or what, but I definitely feel EVERY imperfection in the road now. My passenger seat has developed a very annoying rattle over bumps as it shakes back and forth.

[jimbo]

Is not part of the reason for the bumpy ride the short wheelbase? I've noticed in certain big empty parking lots, that must subtly dip and rise as I cut across, my VX gets rocking so bad I think I have a flat or something.

Some roads around here are like that too (not as bad though). When I'm on a road like that and reach up to adjust my radio volume I often accidentally turn it off (it just takes a slight push on the volume knob of course) because the "rocking horse effect" as a previous poster called it, causes my fingers to plunge into the volume knob

[Offroad vx]

The cure for speed bumps is to go faster. Really.
I'm sure it is tougher on the suspension, but it can really smooth out the jaring effect of the bump. This goes for most any car too, not just the VX.

I'm a true believer in "when in doubt -GAS IT!" but unfortunatley these aren't regular speed bumps they're table tops and hitting them hard is not the solution. Although I wish it was since I have 6 between home and work eachway!

[CIATexan]

Whats this about the BIlstiens? any one tried them, or compared ride between the rancho's and the billstein?

[OZ VX]

Green Dragon, you talked about cutting the rear bumper stops. How much space should there be, I have around 10mm or less and it doesn't seem to anywhere near enough. Also, does anyone know if the standard springs are red in colour for Jap model VX.

Not going to really help CIAtexan, but I have Bilstiens in my Supra and they offer a really nice ride with good performance for me.

[VehiGAZ]

Texan,

If you search the forums for "shocks" you will see what everyone has to say about the different models. If I'm not mistaken, I think Hotsauce is the only one who has tried both the Bilsteins and the Racnhos. Many people have posted rave reviews of the Rancho 9000s (the 5000s seem to be too soft), but a couple of posters have noted that they are not as stiff as the originals even at the highest setting, and that the adjustment is only for the bump stiffness, not the rebound, which is the real key to an "athletic" ride. The few who have tried the Bilsteins (B46-1738-H1 or -H2 front and B46-1739-H1 rear) all posted favorable reviews of them. Those are the ones I've decided to go with in my VX, which had KYB Gas-A-Just shocks on it when I bought it. While I've never experienced the stock ride, I know that the wild pitching and rebounding I experience sometimes ain't right at all.

Good luck!