[NauticaTom]

Again sorry if this is a newbie question, but I am looking to see if there are any better suspension options for the X-Terra for a softer ride?

Only reason is , 90% of my drive time is work related, and when I hit a change of terrain (aka from road to parking lot) etc, and there is an difference in road height, the whole damn truck takes the hit. It feels almost like a jeep!

Understandably speaking I didnt buy a Lexus LX470, but I didnt buy a Suzuki Samurai Either. has to be some aftermarket options for us.

Thanks In advance

 

[Terdar]

Shy of an airspring setup no. It is too soft as it is.

 

[NauticaTom]

Shy of an airspring setup no. It is too soft as it is.

Really I guess I have a lack of understanding of what a soft/stiff suspension are. I literally feel every grain of sand that passes underneath my tires on the road, i figured it was too stiff of a suspension.

Well I guess im stuck, maybe I should upgrade to the OR shocks, and see if they do any better for me.

 

[mike100]

the new x is the softest thing I've driven in years. performance cars are stiff, but I suspect the dynamic that bothers you most is the unsprung weight of the solid rear axle. it certainly isn't the front end..very cushy IMO.

an independent rear suspension like on the pathfinder would probably be the ticket. explorers and expeditions have taken this route as well.

BTW, lower your tire pressure to 30-32 psi..also the tall 75 series OR tires seem plenty soft at 30 psi..the tire still has to have some sidewall stiffness as well as the suspension since people generally drive 80 mph.

 

[NauticaTom]

the new x is the softest thing I've driven in years. performance cars are stiff, but I suspect the dynamic that bothers you most is the unsprung weight of the solid rear axle. it certainly isn't the front end..very cushy IMO.

an independent rear suspension like on the pathfinder would probably be the ticket. explorers and expeditions have taken this route as well.

BTW, lower your tire pressure to 30-32 psi..also the tall 75 series OR tires seem plenty soft at 30 psi..the tire still has to have some sidewall stiffness as well as the suspension since people generally drive 80 mph.

Dont your fuel mileage take a dump when you go that low in PSI?

 

[Terdar]

Not greatly. When I say too soft I say that because the truck bottoms out too easily. Drive a truck, like an S-10, and you will wish you were still in your X. If you do drop your PSI your TPMS will pop on sooner.

 

[NauticaTom]

Not greatly. When I say too soft I say that because the truck bottoms out too easily. Drive a truck, like an S-10, and you will wish you were still in your X. If you do drop your PSI your TPMS will pop on sooner.

hmmm ill have to mess around with the PSI settings a bit.

I wouldnt trade my X in for the world. Its a great vehicle, everything i could ask for, especially with me being as rough as I am on vehicles.

IM a Paramedic, on the ski patrol, avid snowboarder, go camping alot, race streetbikes (yamaha R1), etc. and my last vehicle (Sportscar with a great suspension) took a beating from me strapping things to the roof (skis/boards), tossing my gear in the car, etc.

This vehicle I have no worries with. Just wished for a better highway ride, but ill do just fine. IM used to driving sportscars, it will pass.

 

[Lonesome Crow]

If your used to a sports car you may be driving on a too soft suspension with the stock "s" springs. I test drove an S model and the ride was a major reason I want with an OR. Maybe you should look into the adjustable Ranchos or the Bilsteins (sp?) from an OR.

 

[JasonK06X]

If your used to a sports car you may be driving on a too soft suspension with the stock "s" springs. I test drove an S model and the ride was a major reason I want with an OR. Maybe you should look into the adjustable Ranchos or the Bilsteins (sp?) from an OR.

All model Xterra's have the same springs, front and rear. The difference in the "Off Road" model is the Bilstein shocks. The Bilsteins are probably valved a little stiffer, that why you noticed the ride difference.

 

[Lonesome Crow]

If your used to a sports car you may be driving on a too soft suspension with the stock "s" springs. I test drove an S model and the ride was a major reason I want with an OR. Maybe you should look into the adjustable Ranchos or the Bilsteins (sp?) from an OR.

All model Xterra's have the same springs, front and rear. The difference in the "Off Road" model is the Bilstein shocks. The Bilsteins are probably valved a little stiffer, that why you noticed the ride difference.

I realize that, as I re-read my post I see that I didnt say that :bounce: I think that with the softer shocks you are feeling the springs too much.

 

[lifeinthesouth]

Shy of an airspring setup no. It is too soft as it is.

Really I guess I have a lack of understanding of what a soft/stiff suspension are. I literally feel every grain of sand that passes underneath my tires on the road, i figured it was too stiff of a suspension.

Well I guess im stuck, maybe I should upgrade to the OR shocks, and see if they do any better for me.

If you feel like you feel every grain of sand .... with the stiffer OR shocks you'll fe it even more.

 

[syndicate]

TIMBRENS, front and rear. ~$300