Spring rate?

[outlaw.308]

When building a vehicle for desert racing, Are soft spring rates better? or stiff? I am looking for a good 3"-3.5" lift for an XJ, any suggestions? It doesn't need to be top-of-the-line, I am just looking to be able to cruise at a good speed in (relative) comfort. Or do the shocks really make the difference?
Thanks.

[TotalImmortal]

that is a pretty complicated question. if no one has answered it by tomorrow i'll spend some time on the subject.

[outlaw.308]

I'd appreciate it.

[65Chevy4x4]

just get the deaver jeepspeed springs they are perfect. Also the springs are mainly for ride height ect and the shocks area for dampining and how stiff/soft it'll be.

[outlaw.308]

I haven't checked prices, but I imagine that the deavers are probably more than I am willing to spend. But you answered my question perfectly, that the shocks are the key. That is what I was hoping. Thanks!

[WOBBLEWAGON]

The Springs Give The Ride Height, And Movement. (spring Rate Plays A Role Also) Shocks Will Control The Dampning And How Fast That Spring Moves Rebound And Compresseion. Since You Say You Dont Want To Spend A Lot Of Money You Arent Going To Get A "great Ride". Cheap And Easy..... Deaver Jeepspeed Springs And Rs9000 Shocks. It Isnt The Best Route But It Will Be Better Than A General Suspension Lift.

[Bigger Valves]

Originally Posted by outlaw.308

But you answered my question perfectly, that the shocks are the key. That is what I was hoping. Thanks!

I would disagree.. Shocks are important to a good setup, yes, but not more so than good/correct springs.. Springs do much more than set ride height.

[outlaw.308]

care to explain?

[65Chevy4x4]

no matter how good of shocks you have if the springs are crap or wrong it won't work good. Shocks are more important but they work hand in hand together, if your springs are to soft your shocks will heat up faster since you'd need to up the valving. if they are to stiff the shcoks wont' help the ride then either. Just find some decent springs and some good shocks and you'll be set.

[ashmanjeepXJ]

Originally Posted by WOBBLEWAGON

And Rs9000 Shocks

I wouldn't get the RS9000, there are cheap resivor shocks that could be had in this price range that are better, check out Bilsten.

If you need cheap the RS5000 5012 (12in shock) is the cheapest longest junk you can buy.

[DEnd]

Originally Posted by outlaw.308

care to explain?

For an extreme example lets look at bouncing on a mattress and a wood floor (with wood framing). Both of these are in effect springs, with the mattress having a much lower spring rate than the wood floor. Yes, the wood floor has a spring rate as it does give a certian amount based on how much rate you put on it and it does return to its original posistion when the weight is removed. Now, which is more comfortable to jump on? The mattress right? This is because your body has much more time to absorb the forces of impact with the softer spring rate.

Now when you add springs to a vehicle not only are they absorbing impact forces from hitting bumps but they also absorb and release energy of other vehicular forces, such as weight transfer. Now you can't stop weight transfer from happening but you can control the vehicles reaction to it. That's why in NASCAR (and other circle track applications) one would have a higher spring rate on the outside springs, to control "body roll". Springs also help control verticle wheel speed (in relation to the vehicle) or rather accelleration and decelleration. Shocks play a roll in that as well.

Shocks are a different beast all together. They are energy converters. They change the energy of impact (or rather movement) into heat. So what they do in effect is raise the spring rate on compression and lower the spring rate on rebound. Well not exactly but thats a close approximation of what they do.

So basically Springs get you close to what you want and shocks fine tune you to exactly where you want to be... sorta...