Hunting for plushness in ride

**Polyal** · 29-11-2011, 01:02 PM

OK so it looks like I will be doing a bit of car swapping with the partner, she will be taking the Fairmont (AU2) early next year.

What I want to do is return the car to be more focussed on plushness than looks/handling that it has now. Current spec is the Ebaich Pro Kit with KYB shocks to match...to be honest its control is very good, but its too harsh for her and the kids on a daily basis.

Catch is I upgraded the brakes to BA XR8 spec, so I have G6E 17's on it currently to clear brakes. I would like to keep these rims as they look good and all the tread is newish too.

So, in the short term I cannot increase the profile of the tyres; and moreso can I even if I wanted too?

Secondly, what springs should I be looking at? I dont want it 4x4 height but something between where it sits now and stock would be good.

What shocks should I get? Koni/Billies et al would be overkill for what the car will be doing. Im thinking Monroe but they are pretty...well..standard I guess.

Ill have to get the bushes etc looked at too, I will be sticking with factory spec rubber ones.

Any suggestions would be great, it feels odd returning to this state but its for the greater good at the moment. Cheers

Jimmyd · 29-11-2011, 01:54 PM

Kings Low - will be firmer than stock, sit about std Tickford hieght but are softer than XR spec.

Monroe is stocko fitment and would be fine for the intended purpose.

**Polyal** · 29-11-2011, 02:07 PM

Cheers Jimmy....Well thats actually a good point with the Tickford stuff..is that much lower than fairmont spec?

Mr Hardware · 29-11-2011, 02:48 PM

Personally i'd return it all to as stock and boring as possible. IMO King Lows (or xr-spec, very similar) with 17"s are still going to be a little bit the harsh side.

**Polyal** · 29-11-2011, 02:49 PM

Yeah but that means changing brakes back...and that aint happening..they are so much better than stock.

Ive inquired with FTG about XR6 springs..see what the cost is.

Mr Hardware · 29-11-2011, 02:54 PM

Are you sure there's no 16" wheels on the market that will clear your brakes? That's a path i'd be going down. Surely you could take it to some wheel & tyre shop and ask them to fit up a cheap aftermarket 16" wheel to see if it'll clear.

And why go from ebaich's to xr6? JimmyD says that king lows are practically the same height as xr6's but softer.

Personally i'd just get some stock springs and shocks. You could always try country pack lol

**Polyal** · 29-11-2011, 03:05 PM

Actually I am not sure that my stock 16's dont fit...but I sold them off and I was hoping not to have to buy some new rims. Might be worth seeing if I can fit them, the price of a new set and tyres might be less than new springs/shocks.

I figured XR6 ride would be complaint enough, Tickford where pretty good at making a car handle well enough and provide a good ride for the sporting family man...and I reckon I could get 2nd hand XR's cheaper than new Kings..maybe.

FGII-XR6 · 29-11-2011, 03:42 PM

stick with the 17s king springs standard height not low and munroe Gt gas . thas what my partber uses in her AU fairlane hire cars and it rides well

GK · 29-11-2011, 05:43 PM

I'd go King Lows with Monroe or such shocks too.

GK

**Uncle_Ken** · 29-11-2011, 06:11 PM

If my boss was going to drive the car, to make her happy, I would get the 'softest' set up I can whilst keeping the brake upgrade. That way you can tell her its 'really safe' with the brakes hence put up with the ride. What ever you get it will be higher than what you like, but its HER ride not yours.
Just my thoughts

UK

**Polyal** · 30-11-2011, 12:11 PM

Yeah I agree UK...the brakes stay put.

OK so does anyone have any experience with ultima? I found these...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rear-HD-G...item1c1bd29207

Seem to be about the same price as Monroe GT's....

Also found this.....

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-L-AXLE...item336ee6da60

That would make life easy as its all there, but I guess I would have to contact them to find out how "low" they are talking about.

FGII-XR6 · 30-11-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK

I'd go King Lows with Monroe or such shocks too.

GK

your missing the point he is looking to soften the ride using lows will not acheive his goal

GK · 30-11-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

your missing the point he is looking to soften the ride using lows will not acheive his goal

I don't believe that I am missing the point.

He has a low and firm setup now and has stated that he wants something between that and stock height. My opinion is that King Lows will get him there, but also that they are softer spring than Tickford gear.

I've driven two almost identical AU2 sedans, one with Tickford springs and Pedders (mine) the other with King Lows and Pedders shocks, and mine was far less softer and quiet over speed humps.

Therefore I think, from driving both, that the Lows and Monroe will get him close to what he's after, with the car still being able to handle well and look nice.

GK

**auIILTD** · 30-11-2011, 02:48 PM

I have a stock set of springs and shocks from my LTD if you are interested in a second hand set. Springs are factory height (v8 though is there much diff to the 6?) and shocks do not look like originals, but it did have a great ride. PM me if your interested - cheap + a bit of postage. Could even arrange free transport to Melbourne if you could wait till Aussie Day.

I changed to King lows in my LTD and even with the stock shocks, it was a much firm ride, which I enjoyed, but maybe not what you are looking for.

Cheers
Stu

blueoval · 30-11-2011, 03:05 PM

Another vote for either Kings low or Tickford springs and some Monroe's. It will still provide better than stock handling and be compliant on the road without sacrificing ride quality.

Noddy · 10-12-2011, 01:55 AM

Agree that the kings lows are noticeably softer to the tickford oem.
Been there done that. ATM I have a set of ts50 springs on a set of custom billys which have a soft setup in the xr8. Very comfy ride but I am going to drop down to 17" rims, hopefully an 8.5" wide.

I had 19" on this car at one stage and the ride was still very good, 255 f and 275 r spread the load better than the 245 tyre.

mik · 10-12-2011, 06:03 PM

i seem to remember someone saying the ultima`s are a little on the firm side, but don`t quote me on that.

**SSD-85** · 10-12-2011, 08:15 PM

Slightly off topic, but I was wondering if anyone else noticed the difference between Forte & non-ghia Fairmont ride quality.

The monty seems softer & more "wallowy". Its probably just me.

Day-mow · 11-12-2011, 11:09 PM

am i reading ticky springs are stiffer then kings? is that the generalized statment?

GK · 12-12-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Day-mow

am i reading ticky springs are stiffer then kings? is that the generalized statment?

Yep!

GK

Day-mow · 12-12-2011, 12:13 PM

gay.and i sold my front ticky springs for $50

HLC · 12-12-2011, 01:39 PM

I had my old Fairmont 16" alloys clear the XR6T Brakes on my car...

which are the same size as XR8 brakes. only about 3mm clearance, but its all you need.

If you want plush. Stock springs and shocks. You can leave the 17's they will not make one iota of difference. But if you are that keen, then 16" rims with rubber balloons will soften it right up.

And i have ULTIMA Shocks in my car with SSL's and the ride is bonejarring.

But i LOVE it

**Polyal** · 12-12-2011, 09:57 PM

hehe if I was keeping the car then I would just leave it, but change in plans.

I actually found my stock springs in the garage the other day..so I think ill just buy some new monroe GT's and that will have to do.

I could buy some fairmont rims back, but then more than likely I would need new tyres too so I dont think the sums will add up.

Cheers guys! Sucks putting it back up but perhaps I can keep my current setup for a S2/3 XR8...but I think they are IRS :(

**Mechan1k** · 12-12-2011, 11:30 PM

I had KYB shocks in another vehicle when it was decked ... but eventually returned the it back to stock ride height with the original springs I kept ... I left the KYB Excel-G Gas shocks in ... and it was a very confortable ride ... the shocks were unbelievably compliant ... it's the spring that gives the harshness more than anything.

It still handled well too on the stock springs with those shocks in. Comfort was great as well.

Save yourself the cash ... and leave the KYBs in it ... just change your springs.

**Polyal** · 12-12-2011, 11:37 PM

Hmm ill have to check but I am sure when I ordered my KYB's that I got "short travel" versions...I cant recall the name of the shocks right now

**Mechan1k** · 12-12-2011, 11:39 PM

Ah OK ... fair enough ... check it out ... and see if you may be able to still retain them.

If not ... the Monroe GT Gas is fine really.
I have use Ultima's in my previous ute in the back of them ... just they were good at first ... the control was the same after a little while.

gregsAUII · 26-12-2011, 08:43 PM

Ok im lookin at changing all of my shocks n springs from Pedders sport ryda.
Ive had the them for 3 years now and im over the bone jaring ride, so i have been lookin at these
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-Falc...item336fd5bfcc
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-Falc...item589167a980
and was wondering if it was worth while changing to them and or if any one has used them before???

**FTE217** · 26-12-2011, 10:52 PM

Horse's for Course's above I suppose - or you get what you pay For.
Wouldn't put that average product in my AU but as above all to its own good luck.

**auIILTD** · 26-12-2011, 11:57 PM

Greg, I am with FTE217. You definately get what you pay for. If your going back to basic shocks, I would stick with known brands such as Monroe. I have not heard any feedback on the Ultimas, but I, like FTE217 would not be putting them in my car.

Good luck,
Stu

gregsAUII · 27-12-2011, 04:44 PM

Hmm true guess ill keep shopping.
Cheers boys.