Gen 4 Subi, 2D car. Looking to improve ride quality

[JM PRO]

Hello Funco Family!

I have recently bought my first Gen 4 subi powered 2D Funco and for the most part absolutely love it. Car turns like no other and the 2.5 Subaru motor is legit quick. Car is a blast to drive. Car has the 14.50 dunesports in the rear and shaved 33 Baja pros in front. Running 38 PSI in front bags and 42 PSI in rear bags

Here are my complaints:

1) Harsh ride over ruts left by other vehicles. Suspension feels stiff and beats me up. After 3 days in the dunes my neck is sore from whiplash. 

2) Car doesn't land very smoothly from medium size jumps. Larger jumps and car will bottom out. Again, suspension feels stiff or harsh and really bangs you around in the cockpit. 

3) Steering kinda sucks. Lots of feedback and the steering wheel wants to rip out of my hand in extreme conditions. At higher speeds it requires to hang on with both hands. Example, as I am turning the wheel and hit a rut or dip, the steering wheel becomes hard for a split second and I cant turn it. All the heims are new and steering shaft, including the steering bushings are new and free of any binding. My guess is the rack is no good or the pump is no good or this set up (Ford or Funco rack) is just outdated and needs to be upgraded.

4) Would upgrading to the 5 way 3" rear bypass shocks and the 2 way 3" front shocks be worth the $4500??

Thanks for any feedback

 

[AlpineFunco]

Post a pic of the rack. What air pressure are you running the Baja pros at? Have you messed with the bypasses? Either front or back?

 

[JM PRO]

Post a pic of the rack. What air pressure are you running the Baja pros at? Have you messed with the bypasses? Either front or back?

I ran the baja pros at 6 psi this weekend and 12 psi in the rear tires. Didn't seem to make a difference.

Rear shocks I just had rebuilt, I have not messed with any of the bypass tubes yet.

 

[AlpineFunco]

I’d have the rack rebuilt, the Gen 4’s have the Funco rack. Steering shouldn’t be as difficult as you describe. I drive with one hand all the time and haven’t experienced what you describe. Keep the Baja pros @ 6. Then start playing with the bypasses to see if you can smooth it out. Not sure if you’ll be able to solve the hard landing from jumps with just tuning.

 

[onanysunday]

Tweaked and played with my car for years. Feel like I have it set up as good as it can be as far as the rear bypasses and suspension. With that said when the dunes get torn up it is a rough ride. I've been running seven in my Baja pros front and 15 in the rears. I do prefer the amsoil synthetic versus the King oil in the shocks. Seems to last much longer.

 

[Bobalos]

Tweaked and played with my car for years. Feel like I have it set up as good as it can be as far as the rear bypasses and suspension. With that said when the dunes get torn up it is a rough ride. I've been running seven in my Baja pros front and 15 in the rears. I do prefer the amsoil synthetic versus the King oil in the shocks. Seems to last much longer.

This is an interesting comment.  How long does it last & what is the trigger you use to know you need to replace it?  Ive never done it on my big buggy & was wondering what I should use as that guide (it is planned for this off season).

 

[onanysunday]

This is an interesting comment.  How long does it last & what is the trigger you use to know you need to replace it?  Ive never done it on my big buggy & was wondering what I should use as that guide (it is planned for this off season).

The regular King oil would get black and gross. Maybe in my head but I think the suspension quality degrades as the oil does. The better Amsoil synthetic seems to last and stay clean much longer. This is my professional seat of the pants analysis.  :deal:  Of course I do my own shocks and see this first hand. 

 

[Bobalos]

So do you take them apart every year and replace the fluid, like you would do the trans or engine oil? 

 

[onanysunday]

So do you take them apart every year and replace the fluid, like you would do the trans or engine oil? 

Every few years. I am due now. To busy to get it done this season. Radiator broke and a new one getting done so missing a couple of trips. Not to worried about the oil for this season. 

 

[Punisher]

funco isnt a big long travel coil car...

 

[K73]

funco isnt a big long travel coil car...

I’m not sure that JMPro was trying to compare his Gen4 to the big long travel cars you are referring to Punisher, unless you are referring to the discussion about King oil vs Amsoil.  But, Punisher does have a very valid point…. Don’t try and hang with those  long travel cars JMPro, if that is what you are doing  

 

[Grant@Funco]

1) Rebuild front shocks 

2) You need to check PS pump , not all but some cars ended up with OEM subi pumps and are not up to the task 

3) Not sure if the rack has ever been done but it nothing more then a hydraulic cylinder. Its possible it's original with 15 years  of stroking 

time just may be your enemy 

 

[HP.Habits]

I have a Gen3 with Subi/2d powerplant as well. Took mine out on saturday and upped the bag pressures just a little to test. 
After doing what @Grant@Funco suggested to you, try dropping like 2 pounds in airbags. Its amazing how much just a couple pounds can do. I went from 35 to 38 on my front end bags and the cross ruts were significantly worse. Ill be dropping back down for the next day out.