Making for a softer suspension

I suspect this might be impossible. Our Patrol (2010 ST 3.0L Diesel) has so far been a great tow vehicle. The original springs but with Koni shocks give a firm ride with a lot of shake and shudders on our pathetically maintained bitumen country roads - particularly with the van on the back. I run 36psi front, 38 psi rear in Yokohama Geolander ATs. It was always something we could accommodate, indeed it was part of the adventure.

But now my wife has had two hips replaced in the last year and suffers from a bad back. Every bump gives her pain. We can only manage very short drives. I've got to find a way to provide more comfortable travel. Either we make the suspension more compliant to soak up road irregularities or I swap the Patrol for different tow vehicle.

Is there something I can do to improve the ride quality?

Absolutely possible mate, but will probably cost a fair whack.
Some new top quality shocks and maybe some softer springs would see it riding smooth as silk.
I've been for a ride in a very well set up GQ Patrol with a lot of money spent on the suspension and it truly was like riding in a luxury car.

Hmmmm... agree with Winnie but given the medical condition for beloved Navi you could throw a lot of money at the suspension and still not get the result you need.

Possibly the best solution with greatest chance of getting the results would be full air suspension https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEHOSiwohMQ (about $4,000 plus or minus) and a quality suspension passenger seat like a Stratos or similar.
I have a Stratos Suspension Seat and it is very comfy BUT I would go to a dealer and get your wife to have a sit in one before buying.

The Patrols are what they are IE a great lump of live front end attached to a great lump of vehicle so you are starting off way behind the current day IFS vehicles in ride comfort.

Hi Pete,

Go and see Dale At Tru Line Steering and Suspension in Latrobe St. BALLARAT. He's been in the business for many years and very knowledgeable. Tell him what your needs are and he can advise you, no sales pressure just honest advice.
I've got no association with him just a satisfied customer for many many years.

Air bag rear? Gas shock front? Should be able to play about with pressures/settings to achieve an amicable tow/ride balance.

Id would first go the Strato suspension seat Ive only heard good things.
Or ring the Air Bag Man for a full airbag suspension

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Originally Posted by Gypsy_Pete

I suspect this might be impossible. Our Patrol (2010 ST 3.0L Diesel) has so far been a great tow vehicle. The original springs but with Koni shocks give a firm ride with a lot of shake and shudders on our pathetically maintained bitumen country roads - particularly with the van on the back. I run 36psi front, 38 psi rear in Yokohama Geolander ATs. It was always something we could accommodate, indeed it was part of the adventure.

But now my wife has had two hips replaced in the last year and suffers from a bad back. Every bump gives her pain. We can only manage very short drives. I've got to find a way to provide more comfortable travel. Either we make the suspension more compliant to soak up road irregularities or I swap the Patrol for different tow vehicle.

Is there something I can do to improve the ride quality?

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Are the koni shocks adjustable? and have you owned the car from new?

Thanks guys for you quick responses. The 4 Koni shocks and the Airbag Man rear booster bags were installed by Dale. I agree, he really knows his stuff. And yes, the Koni shocks are adjustable but he has them on the softest setting. And we have already fitted better padding to the front seats. So I think I will investigate the full airbag suspension. That seems to be the only hope.

As usual you members are all too willing to help with advice. So thanks again.

Also while looking at the air suspension go and drive a new Y62. Straight out of the box the will be far more comfortable and far better at towing than your current patrol.

While Im all for modifying stuff sometimes these things can take time. Full air suspension is one of these things. Sure the concept is viable but can take quite a bit of time to get right. Air suspension requires differing shock setup to conventional coil spring arrangements. Also the bolt in kits are a little bit of a compromise. This is all costs money as well. By the time its all done and dusted you could be on par with a nice Y62. Maybe not completely on par $$ wise but possibly a lot less stress. Food for thought.

Which ever way you go this place will always be on hand for assistance.

I agree with newby on this one.
Your gu being a 2010 is still probably worth $30k at a minimum.
Then you sink $10k into air ride suspension and seats etc..
For $45k your in a nice 2012/2013 y62.
I'd be looking outside the box on this one..

I wouldnt think there'd be much difference in a 98 GU to a '10 GU.
You could gain a bit with taller walled tyres, but live axles is very
old technology compared to whats on offer from the newer IFS boys

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gypsy_Pete

Thanks guys for you quick responses. The 4 Koni shocks and the Airbag Man rear booster bags were installed by Dale. I agree, he really knows his stuff. And yes, the Koni shocks are adjustable but he has them on the softest setting. And we have already fitted better padding to the front seats. So I think I will investigate the full airbag suspension. That seems to be the only hope.

As usual you members are all too willing to help with advice. So thanks again.

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Does he also have the rebound setting on it "softest" or all the way to - , that can upset things too. As all the way to +.
You have high quality adjustable shocks, some simple tuning might make a world of difference for the cost of your time.

Before spending lots of money on new suspension/new car, I'd have a look at your tyre pressures you're running. You mentioned you are running 36psi front, 38 psi rear on ATs. Personally I'd say that's way too high. I'd start by going off your tyre placard. For mine (GU3), it's 29psi front and 32psi rear. Give that a go. Of course you may need to run a few psi higher in the rear towing. Having said this, ATs have stronger/stiffer side walls, and can accept a slightly lower pressure. To test, inflate to you target pressure when cold, go for a drive to heat up your tyres, and recheck. they should read around 4psi above your target pressure.

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Originally Posted by abw

To test, inflate to you target pressure when cold, go for a drive to heat up your tyres, and recheck. they should read around 4psi above your target pressure.[/COLOR]

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A good rule of thumb for car tyres, but for tyres of LT construction a rise of 6 psi when warm is about right, at least that’s my understanding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by abw

Before spending lots of money on new suspension/new car, I'd have a look at your tyre pressures you're running. You mentioned you are running 36psi front, 38 psi rear on ATs. Personally I'd say that's way too high. I'd start by going off your tyre placard. For mine (GU3), it's 29psi front and 32psi rear. Give that a go. Of course you may need to run a few psi higher in the rear towing. Having said this, ATs have stronger/stiffer side walls, and can accept a slightly lower pressure. To test, inflate to you target pressure when cold, go for a drive to heat up your tyres, and recheck. they should read around 4psi above your target pressure.

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Ive always gone by 4 psi and its worked fine.
So where are we up to, tyres pressures,driving style, suspsnsion seat, might do it, might

What springs are in it now.
and how much load are you towing.
maybe you can settle on a softer spring.

Hazard a guess there's plenty of guys and gals here with spring siting in their sheds gathering dust.

+1 for air suspension, but look at your cheaper options first IMO.
Back of my ute is On-Air replacement c/-previous owner, so can't comment on difficulty of install.
On the rare occasions passengers are in the back off-road, feedback has been positive about ride quality! Ride has been worse in cab on the springs.
If you're looking at going down the air path, budget for an on board compressor + controllers too, as adjusting bag pressure via tyre-type valves is annoying.

What about pillow air bags (brand name BOSS) that sit beside the coils replacing the bump stops, after feed back on these.

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