2004 Rough ride.

I have a 2004, 5 lug base with the 2.4 with 98,000 miles. The ride is very rough. I have about 3/4 of and inch clearance between the top bump stop, and only about 3/8 of an inch on the bottom stop. The bottom stop is very shiny (being used a lot). I am not really sure how much is normal. Anyone willing to crawl under their ride and let me know how much clearance you have Top and bottom ? I have no lift. This truck is highway use only and I feel every rock on the road. 225/70/15 tires. I'm starting to think maybe my coil springs are shot. Any opinion or ideas welcome... Top picture is actually bottom stop and vice versa

 

I have same vehicle with just about as much clearance but I have a 3 inch spindle lift and 2 inch cool spacers

 

Thanks for the info. I don't know much about lifts, but it seems to me if I installed spring spacers the bump stop clearance would be a little larger... Anyone want to give their opinion...

 

Well, I ordered new KYB shocks,(front and back) I'll post my progress this weekend, Hopefully this thing smooths out some...

 

Did you get new strut assemblies (coil spring and shock)? or just the shocks? It seems as though your springs are shot, if you got the whole strut assembly you should be good after that. It's pretty obvious by the wear marks on the frame that you've been hitting the bump stops a lot. Which would cause your rough ride.

 

I have a 5 lugger, It has no struts. Maybe I should order new springs as well...

 

unless the front springs have been totally abused, your springs are okay...new shocks will definitely smooth out the ride...the springs that go kaput on these vehicles are the rear leafs....

 

Put new KYB shocks on, front and back. One of the old front shocks still had a very little action left, the other three were completely dead ! The ride has gotten somewhat better. Still debating whether to replace front springs or not. I think it would be more trouble than its worth...

 

I'd say you definitely need springs... The springs are what support the weight of the truck and absorb hits, while the shocks just control coil oscillations and rebound. So the fact that you only have an inch or so of up travel leads me to believe you need springs.