More flex without lift. Ideas?

Anyway
If you do find longer softer springs please share

Busta wrote: Looking at a few lift kits, they all talk about 'uprated springs'. I take it they mean higher spring rates? If so, surely they won't flex any better than shorter, softer springs?

With a lift the centre of gravity is raised which makes it more prone to body roll and dive and squat. Uprated springs help to reduce those effects and can also offset the weight of accessories, although when fitting accessories a longer spring of the same rating would be more suitable.
What you really need to do is to pull the suspension apart and then check just how much travel it has as stock and whether any more could be extracted from it. I'll be having mine apart soon and I'll go through exactly that exercise.

I've been told a Trail Master 2" lift kit rides better than standard.

So it's not always a given that a lift will make it worse.

Kirkynut

I appreciate they want to limit roll, dive and squat on road but it's those characteristics that translate to better suspension articulation offroad! To me that suggests that the kits are built more for looks than any improvement in ability. If the spring doesn't allow full travel you may as well fit a standard spring with spring spacers.

A longer spring of lower rating would be the way to go. Similar ride height, lots more roll, dive squat and flex

Let us know what you find out!

Busta wrote: I appreciate they want to limit roll, dive and squat on road but it's those characteristics that translate to better suspension articulation offroad! To me that suggests that the kits are built more for looks than any improvement in ability. If the spring doesn't allow full travel you may as well fit a standard spring with spring spacers.

A longer spring of lower rating would be the way to go. Similar ride height, lots more roll, dive squat and flex

Let us know what you find out!

Why sholdn't the spring allow full travel?
The Trailmaster kit has a longer spring and shock than standard, and unlike many other lift kits, it tailored to the Jimny. Longer springs and shocks on standard mounts means lift, and also more suspension travel. But the bushes are still the limiting factor regarding articulation.

You need springs that matches the weight of the vehicle. Otherwise you'll be riding on your bumpstops all the time.

You can try using a spring rate calculator. Maybe that will help.

In my humble opinion soft bushes would certainly help you, as already mentioned but it will feel a bit sloopier than does now on the road but will allow a little more 'twist' to the pivot point allowing a touch more articulation.
I love reading these threads, there is a real talent on this site and i am learning so much from all you guys when I read the threads, the only problem is I go to bed, sleep and forget it all :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Mart