How to Tune Suspension?

QWERTYphoon

Motley Driver Award 2009
Anybody know how to tune a front coil over suspension? I am having a hard time finding the "middle" of the suspension up front. To tight and the truck looks like its popping a wheelie, to loose and it bounces all over the place. If I lower the back and take out the spacers the rear is too low and tight and the front is perfect. I have RPM Arms w/ 1" spacers, rear is rancho 9000 w/ 3/8" set back plates if I lower the rear w/ 1" blocks and the set back plates it bottoms out on the stops and stock leafs, and a belltec sway bar. My best guess is to get the rear to cooperate with the front w/ no spacers up front. Any advice?
 
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dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

I just set the ride height for the front coilovers to what I wanted and then adjusted the knob on the Qa1. From what I have expereince, The QA1 like to on the 2 or 3 position (loose) for street driving. If they were set in the middle, they will jar you your filling out over bumps in the road.

I would personally use the spacers on the RPM Coilover because of the low mounting point and short travel of the QA1's.
 

QWERTYphoon

Motley Driver Award 2009
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

I have my knobs set at 6. I will try lowering the setting and as of right now I have the spacers in. Thanks
 
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supersports10

New member
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

set the front where you want it and are happy. if this means taking those "spacers" out, then so be it.

as fo the back.......you obviously want to have the truck lower, because it looks good right??
BUT.... it rides like ass.......solution??? look at the front of the overload leaf, go back 2" from the front, and drill a 3/8 hole in the center of the leaf. get some energy suspension bump stops, and install them in this hole. by doing this you are engauging the overload sooner, under hard compression (big bump) the overload will actually be used.
under all but 1% of daily uses sy/ty's never use the overload, period.
by doing this you are allowing the overload to do it's job sooner.
now dont get me wrong,...under normal circumstances (small road bumps) the truck wont be riding on these, it is just for bigger bumps.
if you like this but want it to engauge even sooner, add one to the rear side of the overload.
you can also tune engaugement with bump stop height. energy suspension sell's different height bump stops.

another side effect is the truck will plant the tires harder on a boost launch.

i have had this done to my syclone for a year now, and absolutetly love it. no more bottoming out (i have 2" blocks, plus the factory wedge.
 

QWERTYphoon

Motley Driver Award 2009
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

I just feel the need to share this pic w/ everybody. I think Renz is in to stuff like this? we will find out?
 
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hatrik8

Donating Member
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

supersports10 said:
set the front where you want it and are happy. if this means taking those "spacers" out, then so be it.

as fo the back.......you obviously want to have the truck lower, because it looks good right??
BUT.... it rides like ass.......solution??? look at the front of the overload leaf, go back 2" from the front, and drill a 3/8 hole in the center of the leaf. get some energy suspension bump stops, and install them in this hole. by doing this you are engauging the overload sooner, under hard compression (big bump) the overload will actually be used.
under all but 1% of daily uses sy/ty's never use the overload, period.
by doing this you are allowing the overload to do it's job sooner.
now dont get me wrong,...under normal circumstances (small road bumps) the truck wont be riding on these, it is just for bigger bumps.
if you like this but want it to engauge even sooner, add one to the rear side of the overload.
you can also tune engaugement with bump stop height. energy suspension sell's different height bump stops.

another side effect is the truck will plant the tires harder on a boost launch.

i have had this done to my syclone for a year now, and absolutetly love it. no more bottoming out (i have 2" blocks, plus the factory wedge.

Got pics of this?
 

supersports10

New member
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

hatrik8 said:
Got pics of this?

here you go.......
suspension003.jpg

easy as pie..
suspension004.jpg

these are the rubber bumpers that i used, then lopped 1/2 of them off. they are a lakewood traction bar replacement bumper, from summit, or jegs.
suspension001.jpg

use these if you want less.
suspension002.jpg

box and part # for the red ones.....enjoy
icon_biggrin.gif
 
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Flyin Ryan

hated cuz he drives fords
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

supersports10 said:
look at the front of the overload leaf, go back 2" from the front, and drill a 3/8 hole in the center of the leaf. get some energy suspension bump stops, and install them in this hole. by doing this you are engauging the overload sooner, under hard compression (big bump) the overload will actually be used.
under all but 1% of daily uses sy/ty's never use the overload, period.
by doing this you are allowing the overload to do it's job sooner.
now dont get me wrong,...under normal circumstances (small road bumps) the truck wont be riding on these, it is just for bigger bumps.
if you like this but want it to engauge even sooner, add one to the rear side of the overload.
you can also tune engaugement with bump stop height. energy suspension sell's different height bump stops.

another side effect is the truck will plant the tires harder on a boost launch.

i have had this done to my syclone for a year now, and absolutetly love it. no more bottoming out (i have 2" blocks, plus the factory wedge.


You should put this in the tech articles section so it doesn't get lost and more people can make use of your good idea :)
 

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I was wondering how to tell what position my QA1s are at and how to adjust them.

I have a very rough ride at the moment so would like to soften it a little.

Thanks!

Mark
 

ziembic

Donating Member
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

Most people count from the softest setting to the hard. Each click is one count. I believe QA1's are 12 clicks, so count toward the minus to see where you are. I cruise at 3 or 4 unless I am racing.
 

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

How do I know where 4 clicks are from? How do you zero it? The wheel goes round and round.

Isn't there something about damaging it of you turn it too many times? Thanks!
 

bezerk

New member
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

you shoudl be able to close it somehow. it should't go round and round and round
 

ziembic

Donating Member
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

My QA1's have a stop at all the way down and all the way up. I am pretty sure it was 2 full turns.
 

cheatham2492

New member
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

They do have stops they should not turn forever. thanks for the good info Supersports 10.
Dan Cheatham
 

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: How to Tune Suspension?

Update - I have 16 clicks. What does + mean and what does - mean on the shock? I have it set at 8 for now.
 
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