rough ride.

Bree · Jan 10, 2022

Back when I was young and fun, I put sub-frame connectors and tubular trailing links on the Indian Outlaw, planing ahead for the day when I would throw a little bit of power adding goodies at it. This vastly improved the launch and back then I was willing to sacrifice the ride quality for that.
Now that I'm a cranky old bitty, all that stiffening about shakes the fillings out of my teeth! So I was wondering, if I replaced the coil springs with air bags, could I soften the ride for going to church on Sunday, and then with a flick of a switch on the dash or something, stiffen it back up again if I need to teach some whipper-snapper in a rice burner a lesson at the traffic light?
Or do air bags not work that way?
Other options?
Thanks.

Mustang5L5 · Jan 10, 2022

Doesn't quite work that way. The airbag kits still use a damper. The air bag simple controls the ride height, and the damper would control the stiffness. If the dampers are valved aggressively, they want to stop all motion as quickly as possible, which leads to the harsh ride. Great for handling though. Same goes for suspension components. As you replace all those bits with soft rubber bushings, to parts with spherical or urethan bushings, the ride becomes more harsh.

You really can't have your cake and eat it too.

You could change your suspension parts though. Do you know what's on it now for springs/shocks

Bree · Jan 10, 2022

Factory coil springs, the shocks I think are stock except the driver's front, which is a Gabriel. The shocks are due for replacement, as one of them has a slight leak.
Hey, Rancho had a shock for trucks that you could adjust for on and off road. Problem is you had to get out and crawl under to throw the switch.

Mustang5L5 · Jan 10, 2022

I think better quality shocks/struts would be first on your list. If they are original they probably aren't controlling the spring or the valving isn't working properly resulting in the harsh ride.

Strange does have some 10-way adjustable shocks/struts, but you do need to crawl under to adjust. Koni had some that come be adjusted from the top, but not sure they are around anymore.

I don't want to misrepresent what this will do for the car however. You aren't going to get a Caddy smooth ride from any suspension setup you end up with. My Maximum motorsport coil-overs ride great, but it's still a rough ride overall.

Bree · Jan 10, 2022

Well, I wasn't expecting Cadillac smooth from a muscle car, but getting beat up is quite another matter.

General karthief · Jan 10, 2022

Stock springs?
low profile tires?

Bree · Jan 11, 2022

Stock springs, yes, low profile tires no. Tires are whatever size it came on from the factory. Cooper Touring.

General karthief · Jan 11, 2022

Well then you may need to add some padding to the seat bottoms just say'n

Boostedpimp · Jan 11, 2022

A fox with warn out struts, shocks on factory springs and factory height tires is really the softest you'll get in that car honestly.. everything else is geared more towards performance where it stiffens up the suspension more. If you replace those struts and shocks with factory replacements lets say, it'll get a firmer stiffer ride then it mostly is now.

Bree · Jan 11, 2022

General karthief said:
Well then you may need to add some padding to the seat bottoms just say'n

I guess I could get a pair of those underwear they have at Wal Mart with the padded rear for when you want to have that big J-Lo booty...

Potomus Pete · Jan 11, 2022

I got all four shocks/struts from Gabrial, and didn't really notice and difference. Wish I had subframes.

Boostedpimp · Jan 11, 2022

Potomus Pete said:
I got all four shocks/struts from Gabrial, and didn't really notice and difference. Wish I had subframes.

They are just a factory replacement part so they won't be stiffer than factory parts in same condition. You really should have subframes connectors man, they change the whole feel of the car especially in a convertible

Potomus Pete · Jan 11, 2022

The biggest reason I don't is because I don't like paying people to work on my car. I will probably will buy a welder at some point from HF. No real deals in Sarasota for that stuff, and for the price of labor I can have a welder. I already have a couple things that need it. I want to know if Bree will be wrestling that giant strut bolt.

7991LXnSHO · Jan 11, 2022

By now, the stock bushings could look worse than Keith Richards and be in far worse shape. If you have metal to metal, it will ride very roughly. New rubber bushings and Monroe OEM Spectrum shocks and struts will have it riding much like new. Avoid KYB shocks. They have been rough riding for some time.

Bree · Jan 12, 2022

Potomus Pete said:
The biggest reason I don't is because I don't like paying people to work on my car. I will probably will buy a welder at some point from HF. No real deals in Sarasota for that stuff, and for the price of labor I can have a welder. I already have a couple things that need it. I want to know if Bree will be wrestling that giant strut bolt.

Yes, but have you had welding lessons? Welding isn't as easy as the pros make it look! Get it to hot hand you can burn a hole in something, or not hot enough and you have a poor bond. Then you need a steady hand to get a smooth consistent bead for maximum strength. There's a a reason good welders get a premium for their craft.
And yes, I probobly will take the bolt off myself. I have a 16in breaker bar. If I can't get it with that, then I'll take an impact to it! Work smarter, not harder!

manicmechanic007 · Jan 12, 2022

Bree,
I took a bunch of guff on here for badmouthing subframe connectors
Your current issue is the main reason for my dislike
There is always someone who wants to go racing
Sell your baby and buy another more snuggly one

TOOLOW91 · Jan 12, 2022

manicmechanic007 said:
Bree,
I took a bunch of guff on here for badmouthing subframe connectors
Your current issue is the main reason for my dislike
There is always someone who wants to go racing
Sell your baby and buy another more snuggly one

? Nothing about the subframe connectors is making her have the issue she’s having or describing .

TOOLOW91 · Jan 12, 2022

How is the rest of suspension bushing wise ? Arms , strut mounts , rear arm bushings ?

Something you can adjust as mentioned would be strange 10 way shocks and struts . You’d have to get under and turn each knob , not a big deal until you get it where you want or find it best . It will always be a Fox and drive like one though .

General karthief · Jan 12, 2022

That's the sports car feel.

nickyb · Jan 12, 2022

Mustang is a wild horse, not a soft and cushy ride.
If you want that then a Crown vic or Grand marq. is what you need.

rough ride.

Bree

Active Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Bree

Active Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Bree

Active Member

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Bree

Active Member

Attachments

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Boostedpimp

Bree

Active Member

Potomus Pete

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots

Boostedpimp

Potomus Pete

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

Bree

Active Member

manicmechanic007

TOOLOW91

If you're the village idiot what's that make me?

TOOLOW91

If you're the village idiot what's that make me?

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

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rough ride.

Active Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Active Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Active Member

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Active Member

Attachments

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Active Member

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots

wanna catch the space herp

Active Member

If you're the village idiot what's that make me?

If you're the village idiot what's that make me?

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

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