Suspension Advice

[USMC_315]

Hey all,

I'm looking at overhauling the ride of the 3. I have Bilstein 5100's up front and I think I'm riding stock in the rear. Anyway, on road driving feels super boaty and I want to fix that. I know that Fox's Performance Series 2.0 IFP smooth body shocks are recommended but I'm wondering how they feel. I'd like a stiffer suspension and I'm not sure if this will get me on track to that.

I've also noticed that the rear end is sagging pretty bad, I'd assume that is contributing to the problem as well. But regardless, is that a sign I need new leaf springs?

Aside from those two things, what are some suggestions I can take to improve the currently sluggish on road driving experience and fix the sagging rear end?

Thanks all in advance!

 

[JPaul]

I went from the Bilstein 5100's to the Fox 2.0's. Not sure I'd call it stiffer, but it felt better.

As for the rear leafs, if you're sagging then it's time for either a re-arch, or new leafs. You can either go with factory leafs, a custom pack, or the Old Man Emu leafs. I went with Old Man Emu springs and really like them. They have a bit more capacity I think than the factory spring rates, and more arch so they will help keep the rig level when loaded. They aren't much more than the factory leafs either.

Here's the post I made about them in my build thread: https://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/fo...-s-Alpha-build?p=226476&viewfull=1#post226476

 

[Jeepwalker]

If the rear is sagging, yeah you probably need new leaf springs and do that first. You might consider heavy-duty springs if yours doesn't have them. If you do, check the front torsion bars (make sure they match the spring rates of the rear springs you buy). Does your rig have the adventure pkg ...or regular suspension? Also, look into the tires on your rig. Tires with 6 or 10 ply tires are going to be firmer.

Mine's got the adv pkg with heavy-duty suspension, Pirelli Scorpion tires, I'm running AC Delco heavy-duty shocks (OEM for the off-road pkg), and there's nothing bouncy or 'boaty' about my rigs ride. It's very firm. I like the way it rides and handles. You can find them on Rock Auto. The delcos are engineered for our vehicles. Mfgrs spend quite a bit of time engineering spring rates and shocks for vehicles. I usually try to stick with OEM shocks when I can. Not taking away from Fox or others (I haven't tried them).

Best of luck.

 

[alrock]

When my rear springs were worn out, I had them re-arched and I added a leaf for additional weight support. I also had them re-arch to about 1" above the original height, essentially giving me a 1" suspension lift in the rear. The cost to have it done was about the same cost as a new set of OEM springs, but without the high shipping cost that comes with new springs. I did get a stiffer ride with the added leaf.

 

[scoreh3]

I really like my Fox shocks. Big improvement on ride quality.

 

[Jeepwalker]

When my rear springs were worn out, I had them re-arched and I added a leaf for additional weight support. I also had them re-arch to about 1" above the original height...

That's a good point, and an option worth considering (assuming your springs are in otherwise good condition). A leaf spring shop (yes, they exist) are used to working on large trucks (dump trucks etc) and they can zip off pick-up springs and re-arch them super quick. To them, working on pickup springs are like working on a toy. I've had it done too in the past. I had a car with new springs but I wanted a certain height (stance), and they did it super quick. It was really cheap in my case.

Whatever you have done to the rear, don't forget about the front. Spring rates need to match or you'll get bobbing up/down if the fronts are weaker. I have a pick-up I owned for years and the previous owner put heavier duty springs on the rear to handle the weight of towing a trailer. But for normal driving it tends to bob up/down in the front. On some roads it's annoying (and I've tried a few different shocks on the front of different stiffness). I've meant to modify the rear springs, but I bought a Ram in the meantime. So, whatever you do, make sure the springs match, or crank the fronts stiffer (which won't change the 'rate' but might help some). As I said before, just do some research and you'll find that mfgrs spend a lot of time experimenting with different shocks and spring rates to achieve a certain best-case ride under various conditions.

I know we all think we're smarter than those OEM engineers (GM, Ford, Toyota), but at least give consideration that they've spent quite a bit of energy to make the rates as good as possible. Springs and shock absorbsion is a compromise and not always a one-size-fits-all exercise. Lot of times guys remove worn-out shocks and run around claiming how the new ones were so much better (well of course they were!). But certain owners like stiffer or softer ride too. Most of the Monroe/Gabriel shocks I've bought sucked compared to OEM rates. IDK if they just supply a shock that 'fits' the mount and that's it? ..or what. I don't waste my money on them anymore. Can't say on the Fox's. I know guys like them. They probably take the OEM shocks and pick one of theirs that'll fit the mount/length ...add 10% - 15% stiffness and throw them in the box. That's probably the extent of their 'research'. Sometimes ya need that extra stiffness for off-roading or handling mods, etc.

Shocks are one of those nebulous things that are almost impossible to compare. Most guys don't have the time or resources to have a trunk-load of different shocks, different rates, different mfgrs, and multiple vehicles to put one set on one vehicle, and compare the differences to another set on the same exact vehicle (same test track) with different shocks. You just gotta try some and see if it fits your style.

Whatever you get, be sure to let us know what you did and how you like it. Look your old shocks over, I'd be curious if they had leaks or 'loose spots'.

 

[JPaul]

Not sure where you're going to get new torsion rods from. Only upgrade I know for the torsion's is if you have a 3.5/3.7 liter and go with the Alpha rods. Us Alpha guys are pretty stuck. Might be able to find someone to custom make torsions though, but I'm not sure how cost effective that would be.

 

[Bigunit]

Old Man Emu/ARB still makes and sells H3 torsion bars that are stronger/firmer than the ORM Apha torsion bars.

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[JPaul]

Old Man Emu/ARB still makes and sells H3 torsion bars that are stronger/firmer than the ORM Apha torsion bars.

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So they are. I thought they stopped making those.

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[amrg]

Are they stronger? The arb ones were made originaly based on the H3 in australia, and they only got the 5 cylinder models!
The rear leafs are the same for 5 cylinder and Alpha models, so the arb ones are an upgrade for both. I run them and so far Im happy with them. They provide a slight lift too

 

[USMC_315]

Maybe I'm not looking in the right places and someone could provide a link. But the Old Man Emu leaf springs I can find supposedly don't fit the H3... Hoping to do all this in the next couple of months along with a couple of Schwarttzy upgrades

 

[Lauren]

I know I'm in Dubai, but my computer thinks it's in Texas.. (due to the company I work for..) anyway, I did a quick search for you and I found the below links.. I hope they help. Also, side note, I have the Fox 2.0 IFP shocks and I love them


https://www.vividracing.com/old-man-emu-ome-leaf-spring-hummer-h3h3t-rear-20062010-p-152721649.html


https://www.desertrat.com/i-23325711-old-man-emu-by-arb-cs059r-leaf-spring.html


https://www.generalspringkc.com/2006-2010-hummer-h3-rear-leaf-spring-5-4-1-leaf-1600-lbs-capacity/

 

[Korby7]

Maybe I'm not looking in the right places and someone could provide a link. But the Old Man Emu leaf springs I can find supposedly don't fit the H3... Hoping to do all this in the next couple of months along with a couple of Schwarttzy upgrades

I have a brand new set of the OME leafs I've been meaning to list but the shipping is going to be a bit unless you know anyone local to you that is going to Moab in April. I can get them there for no cost. Keep in mind that they say .75" lift but its more like 2"+. PM if interested.

 

[USMC_315]

I have a brand new set of the OME leafs I've been meaning to list but the shipping is going to be a bit unless you know anyone local to you that is going to Moab in April. I can get them there for no cost. Keep in mind that they say .75" lift but its more like 2"+. PM if interested.

PM sent

 

[USMC_315]

Old Man Emu/ARB still makes and sells H3 torsion bars that are stronger/firmer than the ORM Apha torsion bars.

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Do you think replacing the torsion bars are worth it? That seems like a giant pain in the ass to do myself or it would cost a pretty penny to get done by a shop. Also, I could only find the Old Man Emu torsion bars available on Rocky Road Outfitters, anyone know if they're reputable?

 

[JPaul]

Replacing torsion bars isn't hard on the H3. Jack up the front, put it on jack stands, unscrew the torsion adjustment bolt all the way out of the key, pull the torsion bar out, put the new one in, screw back in the adjusting bolt to the key to roughly where it was before (might need to use a clamp or something to pull the key down enough to get the bolt started), do the same to the other side, drop the truck back down and then proceed to re-adjust the torsion bars.

As far as Old Man Emu goes they are reputable. I don't know though if their bars are much stiffer than the Alpha bars since I think they really only got the 5 cylinder H3 in Australia. Could be wrong though, I know it's been discussed before. As far as RRO goes I haven't really heard of any issues with them. I think their rock sliders are poorly designed but that is it.

 

[alrock]

Torsion bars do wear out too so replacing them is something that you may need to do down the road anyway. Not a bad idea to look at upgrading if needed. Very easy to change them out.

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[atvspeed4]

Do you think replacing the torsion bars are worth it? That seems like a giant pain in the ass to do myself or it would cost a pretty penny to get done by a shop. Also, I could only find the Old Man Emu torsion bars available on Rocky Road Outfitters, anyone know if they're reputable?

I called 4wheelparts and ordered the OME torsion bars we have had them on for about 18 months. We forgot to measure with a caliper the diameter compared to one of our alphas but from quick glance they look slightly larger.