Will New Shocks Make a Difference? My Low Springs Are Uncomfortable!

[Robbo VS3]

I currently have "LOW" king springs installed in my VS Ute. I had them put in ages ago when i had very little money, i did not get new shocks with the springs, i left the stock shocks in.
Now here's the thing, i tear my hair out everytime i drive somewhere because to be honest the ute rides like a total brick shithouse..!! I hit a tiny bump and my teeth nearly fall out. I have contemplated so many times putting the stock springs back in and returning to a comfortable ride. I put low springs in for the same reason everyone does, it looks good, i would like to keep them in, so im asking, if i buy some aftermarket new shocks to suit the springs, will it make the vehicle ride a lot better? I don't want to spend the money if it won't make a difference.

Any help would be great guys, cheers.

[Darren_L]

unfortunately the combination of low springs and low profile tyres are going to equal a rough ride
unless your shocks are bottoming out, then changing shocks won't make a lot of difference ride quality wise. Spring tension generally determines how harsh the ride is. Shocks dampen the compression & rebound of the springs.

however a new set of good quality shocks will improve handling.

[GTP 85]

I bet ya that it's sitting on the bump stops in the rear. Doesnt take much lowering in a ute to hit them. On my mates ute i took a reciprocating saw to the bumpstops and cut off about an inch so that some suspension travel could be regained.

Check it out

[Robbo VS3]

Thanks guys. Yeah i have looked for the bumpstops but i can't see them. Where are they located exactly?

[GTP 85]

Thanks guys. Yeah i have looked for the bumpstops but i can't see them. Where are they located exactly?

easier to see if you pull a back wheel off. They both sit directly above the beam axle, look like an upside down cone shape. They are solid rubber so cutting it down wont hurt anything. Beats buying new shorter bumpstops, why pay for what is pretty much the same thing.. only shorter

[Robbo VS3]

So i should be able to cut them down easily if i knock the back wheels off?

[blkvute]

I had the same problem with my ute i had super lows in on stock shocks (from old owner)
i changed them to Monroe Gt gas sports and is 100% better
still not as good as standard height springs but i like driving it alot more now

[old mate]

hi robbo, i have lows with stock shocks in my ute. it will be about 5mm from the rear bumpstops if the stops are standard length. will ride really choppy in the rear. break traction badly over bumps too.

i cut one part of the bump stops off and it rides alot better.

shocks will make a difference though, even though i havent done.

[Robbo VS3]

Awesome thanks guys. Looks like im cutting away some bumpstop.

[old mate]

you will love it. it was like day/night comparison.

[GTP 85]

So i should be able to cut them down easily if i knock the back wheels off?

yea mate, wheels off and you will be able to do it. easiest if you use a power recipro saw as the rubber is solid as. Or you can just unbolt the plates that mount them to the chassis so that you can put them in a vice.

From memory there are 2 grooves in the rubber 'cone'. cutting it at the first groove will give you approx 25ish mm, i'd be at least docking off a bit more than that so that you have some decent room just incase the ride height sags a bit more.

[Robbo VS3]

Thanks heaps guys, i'll give it a crack!

[Robbo VS3]

you will love it. it was like day/night comparison.

Hey old mate, i cut the bumpstops and i can definitely tell the difference. The bumpstop has like 2 sections to it, i cut them at that crease in the middle and just knocked the bottom bit off then pulled the guts out of them, its like a spongy rubber spring. Is that all you did? Before i cut them they only had about 5mm clearence, now i have about 25mm.

[Robbo VS3]

Well the springs have actually sunk since i cut the bumpstops and now im practically sitting on them again. I don't really want to cut any more off because it will be too low and it will probably blow the seals in my shocks. What do you think?

[GTP 85]

if they are shortened shocks you will be alright. You can always unbolt the bumpstops and see what height the car settles at?

failing that, just get some springs that sit the next height up? OR put a pair of thick spring insulators under the springs to give you 10-15mm

[DevilDRake]

Well the springs have actually sunk since i cut the bumpstops and now im practically sitting on them again. I don't really want to cut any more off because it will be too low and it will probably blow the seals in my shocks. What do you think?

Get some Shortened Munroe GT shocks.