More room, softer ride and better steering, is it possible?
4WheeledNewbie
07-05-2009, 05:29 AM
hey guys, my first post here, not sure if it in the right section but here it goes!
My first car is a 1999 Mitsubishi Challenger and theres a few things id like to change/alter.
My biggest problem is im 6foot3 (still growing) and about as broad as a coke machine. Even though its a 4WD i have problems fitting in the drivers side. The main problem is that my thighs are pretty much rammed and crammed into the steering wheel.
I would like to get some new seats in, as the stock ones are rather pathetic and small. Is it possible to get a refurbisher or someone to put new ones in, even if the tracks dont match up (on the bottom of the seat to the floor). Im also not sure if its possible to get the seat any lower to the floor so i can get abit more room.
(I do have the steering wheel as high as possible and the seat as low as possible)
The steering is also concerning me, the wheel travels more then 4 inches before it even begins to turn the wheels. Can a steering and suspension place tighten this up or change it to be more responsive? i really dont feel safe having to turn the wheel so much before anything happens.
Id also love to lower the suspension a tad and get it softend. i dont use it for 4WDing and it can be a bloody bumpy ride. My concern here is wieght i guess, can it cause to much of a problem with 4WD's? an estimate on price would be awesome too.
In short..
*Need more room for bigfoot
*Steering is way to lose and scary at time's
*Bigfoot has brusied cheeks if driving to long.
Thanks for the help. you might have guessed im a tad new to auto's. always been a computer geek, but im steadily falling in love with cars. When i was a kid mum had an RT charger im not sure which year, but i think it also went by E49 Charger. cant be certain. i might go google it. Wish i had one of those still.
Oh and almost forgot, as for modifying the speedo, the backlighting is an offwhite color on a black background, is it possible/easy to change the backplate to a white and change the light colour to a red or blue?
Sorry for all typo's and horrid grammer.
My first car is a 1999 Mitsubishi Challenger and theres a few things id like to change/alter.
My biggest problem is im 6foot3 (still growing) and about as broad as a coke machine. Even though its a 4WD i have problems fitting in the drivers side. The main problem is that my thighs are pretty much rammed and crammed into the steering wheel.
I would like to get some new seats in, as the stock ones are rather pathetic and small. Is it possible to get a refurbisher or someone to put new ones in, even if the tracks dont match up (on the bottom of the seat to the floor). Im also not sure if its possible to get the seat any lower to the floor so i can get abit more room.
(I do have the steering wheel as high as possible and the seat as low as possible)
The steering is also concerning me, the wheel travels more then 4 inches before it even begins to turn the wheels. Can a steering and suspension place tighten this up or change it to be more responsive? i really dont feel safe having to turn the wheel so much before anything happens.
Id also love to lower the suspension a tad and get it softend. i dont use it for 4WDing and it can be a bloody bumpy ride. My concern here is wieght i guess, can it cause to much of a problem with 4WD's? an estimate on price would be awesome too.
In short..
*Need more room for bigfoot
*Steering is way to lose and scary at time's
*Bigfoot has brusied cheeks if driving to long.
Thanks for the help. you might have guessed im a tad new to auto's. always been a computer geek, but im steadily falling in love with cars. When i was a kid mum had an RT charger im not sure which year, but i think it also went by E49 Charger. cant be certain. i might go google it. Wish i had one of those still.
Oh and almost forgot, as for modifying the speedo, the backlighting is an offwhite color on a black background, is it possible/easy to change the backplate to a white and change the light colour to a red or blue?
Sorry for all typo's and horrid grammer.
MagicRat
07-06-2009, 05:10 PM
Welcome to AF
First of all, the steering....... excessive play in the steering wheel is imo the most common sign that there are worn steering components. It is common for higher-mileage cars and trucks to have worn components such as tie-rod ends, drag link, pitman arm and steering boxes. Wear in any or all these areas is easily fixed by locating the worn part(s) and replacing it (or them). Steering boxes can sometimes be adjusted to compensate for wear.
As steering is safety-related, it's not a good idea to replace these components yourself, unless you know what you are doing. Also an alignment is needed afterwards.
Lowering and softening suspensions usually do not go together. Lowering suspensions on your truck often result in less suspension travel. If softer springs were also added, the suspension would bottom-out too much.
Ride and height can be changed by using different tires. Often, big,tough off-road tires will ride harshly. Substituting a car-type tire may improve ride. Also, a lower-profile tire can lower the car somewhat. But you would not want to stray too far from your stock tire size. Tires that are quite low ride harshly and will affect your speedometer's accuracy. You may get some tire advice by visiting a really good tire shop and asking their advice.
Also, a harsh ride may be partly created by worn-out springs and shocks. But since you do have an SUV, there are limits to the improvement you can make to the ride. It will never end up like a Cadillac, regardless of what you do, because of the basic, utilitarian design.
As for the interior room..... it is possible to get an auto trim shop to rebuild the seat and recontour the foam and structure somewhat, to suit you. But this can be expensive.
A seat - lowering kit may be available, or one could be fabricated, if there is enough room to work under there.
It is also possible to adapt a seat from another vehicle to fit, but again, fabrication would be required to adapt it. Also, a lot of legwork may be required to find a suitable donor seat, too. If there are any Mistubishi 4x4 clubs in your area, you could inquire there and see if anyone else has had the same problem.
Finally, given these concerns, it is realistic to accept that this truck is simply not the best vehicle for you. It may be easier simply to sell it and look for a more suitable vehicle.
First of all, the steering....... excessive play in the steering wheel is imo the most common sign that there are worn steering components. It is common for higher-mileage cars and trucks to have worn components such as tie-rod ends, drag link, pitman arm and steering boxes. Wear in any or all these areas is easily fixed by locating the worn part(s) and replacing it (or them). Steering boxes can sometimes be adjusted to compensate for wear.
As steering is safety-related, it's not a good idea to replace these components yourself, unless you know what you are doing. Also an alignment is needed afterwards.
Lowering and softening suspensions usually do not go together. Lowering suspensions on your truck often result in less suspension travel. If softer springs were also added, the suspension would bottom-out too much.
Ride and height can be changed by using different tires. Often, big,tough off-road tires will ride harshly. Substituting a car-type tire may improve ride. Also, a lower-profile tire can lower the car somewhat. But you would not want to stray too far from your stock tire size. Tires that are quite low ride harshly and will affect your speedometer's accuracy. You may get some tire advice by visiting a really good tire shop and asking their advice.
Also, a harsh ride may be partly created by worn-out springs and shocks. But since you do have an SUV, there are limits to the improvement you can make to the ride. It will never end up like a Cadillac, regardless of what you do, because of the basic, utilitarian design.
As for the interior room..... it is possible to get an auto trim shop to rebuild the seat and recontour the foam and structure somewhat, to suit you. But this can be expensive.
A seat - lowering kit may be available, or one could be fabricated, if there is enough room to work under there.
It is also possible to adapt a seat from another vehicle to fit, but again, fabrication would be required to adapt it. Also, a lot of legwork may be required to find a suitable donor seat, too. If there are any Mistubishi 4x4 clubs in your area, you could inquire there and see if anyone else has had the same problem.
Finally, given these concerns, it is realistic to accept that this truck is simply not the best vehicle for you. It may be easier simply to sell it and look for a more suitable vehicle.
4WheeledNewbie
07-07-2009, 09:22 AM
Thank you so much for the reply. Ive been in a battle with myself about selling it because we dont own it fully, and getting another loan will be to much of a stretch for the family.
Ill take her in for a steering checkup when the next pay day rolls around, as for the rest i guess its just tough luck ^^.
Looking at SUV's that people of modded and "hotted" up, these people much spent some serious cash. i was sitting here thinking it would be kinda easy/cheap hehe.
Once again, thank you. i shall ponder on what to do next, if i keep growing im so screwed
On a side note, could you reccomend any AUD <$10k SUV's that would be more suitable? id love an F series truck but there outragously expensive in australia.
Ill take her in for a steering checkup when the next pay day rolls around, as for the rest i guess its just tough luck ^^.
Looking at SUV's that people of modded and "hotted" up, these people much spent some serious cash. i was sitting here thinking it would be kinda easy/cheap hehe.
Once again, thank you. i shall ponder on what to do next, if i keep growing im so screwed
On a side note, could you reccomend any AUD <$10k SUV's that would be more suitable? id love an F series truck but there outragously expensive in australia.
MagicRat
07-07-2009, 09:45 AM
I think you may just have to look around and see what's available in that price range.
A full-size SUV or pick-up truck may be the best way to go, as would a bench seat, in place of the usual bucket seats and console arrangement that is so popular.
FWIW the used full-size SUV and, (to a lesser extent,) pick-up market has virtually collapsed. These vehicles are very hard to sell these days. Sellers may be asking high prices, but often must sell these things for a song, just to get rid of them.
Around here (Toronto), used full-size Ford Expeditions and Excursions are extremely cheap..... one can buy a decent one for CDN$5000. Frankly, the most difficult thing is trying to get the owners to understand that their trucks, which cost them $70K five years ago really are almost worthless today.
A full-size SUV or pick-up truck may be the best way to go, as would a bench seat, in place of the usual bucket seats and console arrangement that is so popular.
FWIW the used full-size SUV and, (to a lesser extent,) pick-up market has virtually collapsed. These vehicles are very hard to sell these days. Sellers may be asking high prices, but often must sell these things for a song, just to get rid of them.
Around here (Toronto), used full-size Ford Expeditions and Excursions are extremely cheap..... one can buy a decent one for CDN$5000. Frankly, the most difficult thing is trying to get the owners to understand that their trucks, which cost them $70K five years ago really are almost worthless today.
KiwiBacon
07-12-2009, 07:33 PM
The ride in those challengers certainly is rough, especially in the back seat.
Australia has a multitude of suspension shops, it may be worth heading to one locally and asking for advice.
They'll probably want to change the shocks and/or springs and should happily give you a quote and hopefully several options.
It's best to keep it at the stock height though, they don't have much suspension travel as is which is part of the reason they ride so rough. Lowering it would only reduce suspension travel.
Australia has a multitude of suspension shops, it may be worth heading to one locally and asking for advice.
They'll probably want to change the shocks and/or springs and should happily give you a quote and hopefully several options.
It's best to keep it at the stock height though, they don't have much suspension travel as is which is part of the reason they ride so rough. Lowering it would only reduce suspension travel.
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