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Mazda Trucks \  Softening front suspension

Softening front suspension

Mazda Trucks Make Specific
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xcpointx   +1y
I've posted something similar before, but never got a clear answer. How can I improve the ride quality of my b2200? Front suspension is standard with torsion bars and dampers. It feels like I'm hitting a gorge or mountain with every road anomaly I encounter. I don't know if I have a 'hard' or 'soft' suspension but I can push down on it pretty easy with my body weight. What's the cheapest way to improve it? Stronger or weaker dampers? Or Coil springs? What are my easy options on this truck?
sparky3   +1y
You didn't really say too much about how you lowered yer truck.  I'm assuming that by the way it rides you just turned down yer torsions.  Yer cheapest options are probably to install shorter shocks, yers are probably bottoming out.  And trimming or removing yer snubbers(dampers) to provide more travel for yer suspension.  Good luck, and hopefully you'll be riding on air bags soon.  (money well spent and you'll wonder how you ever did without)   
xcpointx   +1y
Thanks!Yes I just dropped the torsions, not a heck of a lot tho (see the pics?) They don't seem to ever hit the stops? Im sure Id feel that as a gosh almight thunk wouldnt I?? Could you explain bottoming out shocks? Is there a range that they should operate in?
sparky3   +1y


If you hit your snubbers it wouldn't really be a "thunk", it would just be real bouncy.  Your stock shocks are designed for your truck at its stock height.  When you lower your truck it takes away alot of the travel that your shock has causing you to bottom out on your shock before you should, causing a very bumpy stiff ride.  Installing a shorter shock,(one designed for vehicles that sit lower to the ground) will allow you to have full tavel and less bottoming out.  Back in the day, when I was just lowered a little like you, I installed a brand of shocks called Toxic Shocks.  They worked real well.  Not sure if they are still around or not.  I'm sure there are other brands out there.Good Luck
ghettokustomz   +1y


i dont think his shock is actually bottoming out, looking at the pic he has maybe 2-3inches between the front fender and his tire. I could be wrong but maybe that noise you hear is from this making contact with each other. Anyone else???

gravity5   +1y

I would sya new shocks is a great start, but beyond that i would also say to have a look at the weight of your wheel and tire combination.  Overly heavy wheels and tire will cause the suspension to feel heavy andslower to respond to striations and potholes in the road, plus it will greatly affect braking and acceleration.  Thats where I would look.  Also have a look at the bushings on the control arm, if they are excessively worn they will cause clunking.
xcpointx   +1y
Im not hearing a thunk, just that the ride seems really sensitive to any and all bump in the road. It doesnt feel like the suspension is 'absorbing' the shocks.. if that makes sense. Now I dont know if this means I have a hard or soft suspension? When I stick my head out the window and watch the wheel it moves up and down on the tar as much as Id expect it too. Seems to follow the roads every bump precisely?? How do I get it to feel more 'cushy' for want of a better word.  
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