Folks, Normally I tend to YELL when we get off topic. In this
case, a lot of us do have SUV's and Leigh has a good point.
Shocks, Springs, and Sway bars all play a part in the vehicle
and the handling.
For STREET driving I like very firm shocks (Bilstein), stiff
tires (better response, less roll momentum as Gary pointed out).
IPD (Best known for Volvo stuff) sells sway bars/suspension for
the bigger SUV's, too.
For OFF road, it is totally different. Softer shocks, taller springs,
softer tires. Disconnect the sway bars. This allows for maximum
suspension movement over rocks, ledges, etc. Oh, top speed
normally is "2 to 25 mph" in that configuration.
Usually the OEM's have to split the two extremes. They are very
aware that most buyers do not plan on going off road, but want
a softer "car like feel" for most driving.
Irony... I plan on RAISING my Land Cruiser (FJ60 Wagon) for
ground clearance. On the bright side the engine allows for a top
speed of 65 to 70. Not the fastest rig out there.
Sad part is people assume that SUV = Safety. Not so. As most
of you know my Brother in Law was killed last year in a Jeep
Rollover. Fully belted in, but broke his neck from the impact
(roof caved in), died of complications after being in ICU.
For a while I kept a running tally on "SUV's rolled". I finally gave
up counting, as it was an average of ONE VEHICLE PER WEEK.
My 60 mile commute means lots of traffic through town. Quite a
high count, and there is one area on "Mopac" heading north that
is SUV gutter. High speed left, when traffic starts slowing quickly.
Too fast, a little turn, and just hitting the brakes at the wrong time...
and it you can see them flip. Single car accidents, but with the
same conditions, and a little "bump" it doesn't take much to roll.
Other "not too swift" maneuver was a Suburban that did a left
turn, while going about 60, into a apartment complex. The 'burb
had new paper plates, and overshot the left turn. Into the ditch,
and did a back flip landing on the roof. Driver was OK, still belted
in. You'll have to realize due to flash flood and heavy rains in Texas
the roads have more camber for water run off, and ditches that
will be a good 5' across and 5' deep in sections.
Sorry for rambling on, but SUV's do make for a nice tow vehicle
and road trip vehicle. They will be around for some time, but if you
want something to go fast and corner... take the roadster!
Cheers,
Tom Walter
shifty wrote:
> Are there any aftermarket shocks, springs and/or anti-sway bars available?
> Would any of that help the handling and stability of anything that high up
> in the air? Lowering the ride height by an inch or two would lower the
> center of gravity.
>
> Leigh Brooks
> BADROC
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