How do I soften the ride?

[GusinCA]

I have a stock 00 GT vert.
17 inch tires, 245/45.

I don't want to lower the car, but I do want to get the "harshness" out of the ride (I live in LA, where the freewys will beat you up).

Should I go with some progressive springs, or less firm shocks?
I'd rather not go with 16 inch tires, that's been suggested to me already.

I do not race, occasional twisty roads.

Thanks!

 

[ironmedic]

kyb AGX adjustable shocks might help some!

 

[exindust]

honestly i had 17 rims on my car with Kumhos and i just got 18" Saleens and amazingly my ride quality VASTLY improved with the tires i got... BFG KDW2's 295 in the rear and 255 in the front...

those tires were a pretty penny though

pics will be up soon.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

So you have stock suspension? If so, you just need new struts/shocks and possibly also new tires.

 

[03ghoststang]

get some tokico 5-way adjustables and the C-springs and i know where you coming from on the freeways here in L.A THEY SUCK

 

[DropTopPony]

buy a lincoln

 

[Kilgore Trout]

The stock shocks and struts are good for about 10k miles, seriously He has an 00. His shocks and struts are completely f'n shot.

You can replace both shocks and both struts with Gabriel Ultras from AutoZone for less than $100 if you install them yourself.

 

[dollarbill]

Make sure your tires are all inflated the same, 30 psi cold. Then look into shocks as others have suggested. How many miles you got?

 

[03ghoststang]

that 10,000 mile thing dont apply out here in L.A where the freeways are to messed up to drive in and most street have pots holes but our new mayor is working on that and the freeways have been getting maintanance

 

[GusinCA]

"Buy a Lincoln" - that's funny...

I have 35,000 miles. Original shocks, new tires (Eagle Gatorbacks).
What struts and shocks should I switch to?
Shouldn't I change the springs to a softer spring rate? I heard on another discussion there are softer springs for "drag launches" or something?

 

[03ghoststang]

"Buy a Lincoln" - that's funny...

I have 35,000 miles. Original shocks, new tires (Eagle Gatorbacks).
What struts and shocks should I switch to?
Shouldn't I change the springs to a softer spring rate? I heard on another discussion there are softer springs for "drag launches" or something?

on my fox body i got some tokico 5-ways and the car handle nice in the freeway but i also got eibach pro-kit and they are set at 4 both in front and rear but that is some what stiff according to what the settings are, but it rides so smooth

 

[hognutz]

well you need shocks and struts ovbiouly. you may want to consider ajustable if you are picky that way you can dial in the ride so to speek.

kyb's come to mind as they are affrodable ajustable.

would do springs as well. the stock springs are crap IMO. my car was a different ride hieght at ever corner. I don't think the OEM springs have very good quality control. I would pick something with almost no drop and a mild rate. you will want to keep all the travel you can for a plush ride. possibly one of the flavors of the FRPP springs.

 

[mogs01gt]

I dont understand the title. You want to soften your ride? As in make it a more smoother car like a luxury car?

Only real way to do that is to go down to a 15 or 16 inch rim and get a bigger sideway tire since the stock suspension is made to drive stiff.

 

[bemol]

Tires/pressure affect a lot the ride, I have F1-GSD3 at 30 psi...is softer and more compliant than stock..

Cheers
Dan

 

[GusinCA]

Thanks for all the good advice. I keep hearing about the tokico 5-ways. Where is a good place to buy these?

Also, what do you guys think about replacing the springs and sway bars and shocks with the ones from the V6?
Is that possible and will it make it softer?

 

[squares98]

My setup is great for ****ed up roads. And ive tried alot of setups.

 

[mransr]

My setup is great for ****ed up roads. And ive tried alot of setups.

care to expand on what that set up might be?

 

[squares98]

care to expand on what that set up might be?

see garage

 

[Mike97gt]

try a decent set of shocks and struts first. i went with a new set of stockers because i got them for next to nothing. even the stockers being new improved my ride 100 percent.

 

[squares98]

subframe connectors will reduce harshness too.