Daily driver suspension upgrade

[am2709]

Hello! I have a 4 door 2025 Big Bend BD package that is my daily driver. I’m upgrading the tires to 285/70 soon but I wanted to ask about suspension upgrades. I’ve noticed a lot of brake dive and body roll on turns with the stock Hitachi’s. What is a shock / suspension upgrade that I can do that eliminates those issues but doesn’t also cause firmness while driving over bumps etc on the road. I like the comfort of the hitachi’s but not all the movement/roll. So I guess I’m asking what a good in between is from aggressive off road shocks / suspension and a comfortable but confidence inspiring firmness of a daily driver. Thanks!!

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[dgorsett]

Swapped my Hitachi s for Bilstein 5100s love it, especially the selectable lift but it still has significant brake dive.

 

[am2709]

Swapped my Hitachi s for Bilstein 5100s love it, especially the selectable lift but it still has significant brake dive.

How’s the day to day driving? I’ve heard 5100s are firm for daily driving.

 

[EquusBronsis]

Also swapped out to Bilstein 5100's plus a rear anti sway bar. Yes the Bilsteins are pretty firm, but very little body roll with the two changes. Supposedly Rancho's ride a little softer, but they were on back order for forever and I finally gave up.

 

[am2709]

Also swapped out to Bilstein 5100's plus a rear anti sway bar. Yes the Bilsteins are pretty firm, but very little body roll with the two changes. Supposedly Rancho's ride a little softer, but they were on back order for forever and I finally gave up.

Would the 6112s be any softer?

 

[Muffin Top]

Variable-rate springs improve handling and ride quality. However, many only offer variable-rate springs for the rear. The one company that offers variable-rates for both front and rear are very expensive (they know they have something special).

Firmness is incredibly over-rated. Softer springs provide better traction, therefore should be more confidence-inspiring.

Street tuning the suspension to be firmer is done to make the test drive more exciting, even though it's not as good as a daily driver. The salesmen say firmer is better, so the myth is perpetuated.

 

[dgorsett]

How’s the day to day driving? I’ve heard 5100s are firm for daily driving.

Yeah, they're firm. I've always owned trucks and 4x4s so it's normal to me. Wish somebody could explain the brake dive, that's a new one to me Hitachis and Bilsteins do it

 

[Tofudude]

Would the 6112s be any softer?

At slow speeds it feels firmer, but if you slam the brakes on the high way it acts very soft. Those are definitely more offroad orientated.

 

[Dover157]

Have Eibach pro truck 2.0 on my 2dr BD and the ride is way smoother than stock. Still brake dives if you get on the brakes suddenly though.

 

[am2709]

Have Eibach pro truck 2.0 on my 2dr BD and the ride is way smoother than stock. Still brake dives if you get on the brakes suddenly though.

What’s the lowest possible lift amount on those? I wouldn’t want to go any higher 1” or so.

 

[Dover157]

What’s the lowest possible lift amount on those? I wouldn’t want to go any higher 1” or so.

I think they can be lowered to about 1” mine is leveled and about 3” in the front 2.5 in the back.

 

[am2709]

At slow speeds it feels firmer, but if you slam the brakes on the high way it acts very soft. Those are definitely more offroad orientated.

What about the ford modified Bilsteins that are on the higher trim models, would those be better than standard 5100?

 

[Tofudude]

What about the ford modified Bilsteins that are on the higher trim models, would those be better than standard 5100?

I don't think you'll get what you're looking for with the SAS package suspension. You'll definitely get lift and its decent at soaking up bumps but the brake dive and sway is still pretty bad. Your happy medium sounds like 5100's or Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 based on your criteria.

 

[Fordified1]

Don’t get the Eibachs if your current brake dive bothers you. It will be worse as they are softer than your Hitachis. The brake dive doesn’t bother me personally, but that’s the tradeoff I made to have great articulation and smoother ride off road and on, without breaking the bank. I believe what you’re asking for will be expensive.

 

[87-Z28]

I’ve noticed a lot of brake dive and body roll on turns with the stock Hitachi’s. What is a shock / suspension upgrade that I can do that eliminates those issues but doesn’t also cause firmness while driving over bumps etc on the road.

the fundamental physics of a spring, damper, mass system. As stiffness increases displacements decrease (brake dive and body roll) but forces increase (ride harshness transferred to body). The converse is also true, as stiffness decreases displacements increase and forces decrease.

The oem spring and damping rates (stiffness) are pretty soft and allow for displacements. Displacements (shock travel) are your friend when slow rock crawling. Not so much when driving at speed over variable terrain. Or for high g loading, lateral (roll) or in a straight line (dive). Finding balance is a challenge and completely subjective with respect to “excessive displacements” or “ride harshness”.

I have the 6100 bilsteins with oem springs and think they are fairly well balanced. This most likely means nothing since it is highly subjective.

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