UN-Sport my Rav4 Sport into a High Speed Bump Eater/Skipper
I have a 4.3 2008 4x4 Sport.
I like it.
BUT, I hate the ride. I tend to ride on roads that are gravel, washboard pot holed victims of 100s of logging trucks. Pulling a trailer with a 900lb boat behind me.
- I tend to drive about 60 to 90 kph (40 to 55 MPH) on these roads.
- When I had my 2007 Monte Carlo BASE, it was VERY good at handling the wash board and holes pulling the trailer at those speeds.
- Took the RAV4 out the first time and was VERY disappointed. Lost some teeth and bruised my kidneys.
- I changed the tires and wheels from 18s with 235 55 18s to 16s with 225 75 16 and that sidewall helped the ride quite a bit.
But it is still lacking. Very stiff on bumps. Shocks aren't blown or leaking. Links and stabilizer is fine. Springs are in one piece.
Is this just how a Rav4 is because of the wheel base?
Would changing from the Sport shocks, springs and stabilizer (if different) to base or LTD parts make a difference.... or specifically the difference I am looking for?
Is there more to it?
(Don't say slow down, I tried that and the ride is worse. You might think I'm nuts, but I treat the washboard like waves; Ride fast enough so you are skipping over the tops... instead of going slow and riding into the ridges.)
Craig
I have a 4.3 2008 4x4 Sport.
I like it.
BUT, I hate the ride. I tend to ride on roads that are gravel, washboard pot holed victims of 100s of logging trucks. Pulling a trailer with a 900lb boat behind me.
- I tend to drive about 60 to 90 kph (40 to 55 MPH) on these roads.
- When I had my 2007 Monte Carlo BASE, it was VERY good at handling the wash board and holes pulling the trailer at those speeds.
- Took the RAV4 out the first time and was VERY disappointed. Lost some teeth and bruised my kidneys.
- I changed the tires and wheels from 18s with 235 55 18s to 16s with 225 75 16 and that sidewall helped the ride quite a bit.
But it is still lacking. Very stiff on bumps. Shocks aren't blown or leaking. Links and stabilizer is fine. Springs are in one piece.
Is this just how a Rav4 is because of the wheel base?
Would changing from the Sport shocks, springs and stabilizer (if different) to base or LTD parts make a difference.... or specifically the difference I am looking for?
Is there more to it?
(Don't say slow down, I tried that and the ride is worse. You might think I'm nuts, but I treat the washboard like waves; Ride fast enough so you are skipping over the tops... instead of going slow and riding into the ridges.)
Craig