Nathan_K Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 Hey guys.. just got my '09 Journey STX / FWD and overall I love the vehicle. I've got a couple of upgrades I want to do, and one of those things into figure out how to stiffen up the suspension. It feels more like driving a Cadillac with Air-Ride as I'm going down the road it just rolls like a ship on the sea. Any suggestions? I don't want to lower it, as I plan to switch out to BFG KO2's (17" rims) before winter for better traction in the snow, as the "street" tires that came on it pretty well suck. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhareFred Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 So you want to make it ride like a dump truck? Just kidding, I have an 09 R/T and think it rides nice and smooth but has a good road feel. May you can change the struts to those used on the R/T’s. Should be bolt in.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan_K Posted July 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 Yeah, I've been driving a F250 4x4 for the past 14 years, and my wife drives a Jeep.. soft suspension isn't exactly our style... we like a stiff suspension with low body roll. I'll check into the R/T struts and see what I can do. Thanks for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 Did you test drive it before you bought it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryl Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 with your previous and present vehicles I highly doubt you are going to be happy with an 09 Journey OhareFred and jkeaton 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhareFred Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 I can tell you now the RT struts won’t make it feel like a F250 or a Wrangler. This is a car, not a truck. It’s not a camero or a mustang either. Maybe you need to go to a spring shop that can make something for you. Not a lot of options available like there is for Jeep. Good luck! dgncsk and jkeaton 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted July 4, 2018 Report Share Posted July 4, 2018 Just love posts like these. Lmao. OhareFred 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan_K Posted July 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2018 I'm not expecting it to ride like the Jeep or the F250 completely.. I'd just like to stiffen it up a bit. I'll look into the R/T option. That should help take some of the roll out of it. I'm really happy w/ the vehicle other wise. OhareFred and 2late4u 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmoore1436 Posted July 5, 2018 Report Share Posted July 5, 2018 There are a few things you can do actually... Check if the shocks have been changed, these wear down over time and can make the suspension feel sponge-like. Also the SXT has smaller rims, which means the tire has more sidewall and can make the ride softer. Larger rims with less sidewall would make the ride more stiff. Given the age I would guess the shocks need to be changed out anyway if they haven't already been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan_K Posted July 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2018 23 minutes ago, lmoore1436 said: There are a few things you can do actually... Check if the shocks have been changed, these wear down over time and can make the suspension feel sponge-like. Also the SXT has smaller rims, which means the tire has more sidewall and can make the ride softer. Larger rims with less sidewall would make the ride more stiff. Given the age I would guess the shocks need to be changed out anyway if they haven't already been. I agree about the tires and sidewalls, but I'm planning to replace the standard street tires (which frankly suck in anything other than dry roads) with a BFGoodrich KO2 to improve traction in all weather, especially winter. I live in MD and we have snow, so traction is important. I can't put the KO2's on the 19" rims, so the 17" rims have to stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmoore1436 Posted July 5, 2018 Report Share Posted July 5, 2018 40 minutes ago, Nathan_K said: I agree about the tires and sidewalls, but I'm planning to replace the standard street tires (which frankly suck in anything other than dry roads) with a BFGoodrich KO2 to improve traction in all weather, especially winter. I live in MD and we have snow, so traction is important. I can't put the KO2's on the 19" rims, so the 17" rims have to stay. Makes sense! If you want to look into the shocks an easy way to test them is by grabbing the roof rail and rocking the car side to side, if after you stop rocking it continues to move (even a little bit) they should be replaced. Nathan_K 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryl Posted July 5, 2018 Report Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) The ride in my 09 RT was not any different than my present 13 Crew Edited July 5, 2018 by larryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjboston5676 Posted July 17, 2018 Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 i put h&r lowering springs on my 2010. and i also put all new front steering and suspension parts. made a pretty good difference. some of it was just due to worn out parts, but the springs definitely make it feel much better, there's less bounce and it feels so much better when going through turns. i know you said you don't want to lower but you also said it was because of the tires? it only lowers about an inch or so and your tires aren't going to be rubbing anything. and it looks better lowered as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SylvainB Posted January 4, 2019 Report Share Posted January 4, 2019 When I replaced my struts on my dodge journery 2011 I used KYB strut. I didn't like the ride either before, was way too soft for me but struts were worned out so it didn't help (Original suspension). It was so stiff after that every other parts began to fall apart lol. I'm rebuilding the front. There'is an inner tie rod that has become loose and lower control arm needs replacement (talking about soft bushings) jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.