Swap results: 2023 Base Hitachi Coilovers to > 2023 Badlands Coilovers

[Golfsnob]

Just an FYI for those that may be contemplating the same. Swapped out the stock Hitachi coilovers from my 2023 base 2 door 2.3 with coilovers from a 2023 Badlands 4 door 2.7. Gained 2" in the front and 1 3/4" on the rear. Sitting dead level at 39" at all 4 corners. Rides great.

Installing the CrawlTech Revolution front & rear bumpers and front skid next week (gotta stay out of the custom shop as it cost me $$$).

Now I'm considering going to a 315/70/17. I've got about 3" to spare to get in the garage.

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[PWillette]

Looks great! How's the ride w/ the 4dr springs on the 2dr?

 

[ChrisB351]

Im assuming you swapped the whole shock/spring combo? What about arms? Ive been seriously wanting to do the same on my 2dr BD.

 

[Golfsnob]

Rides great. The UCA's and lower links are the same on the base as they are on the badlands. I had gotten those as well but didn't need them.

 

[Golfsnob]

Yes the whole assembly.

 

[Toccoa]

Now I'm considering going to a 315/70/17.

What size tires do you have now?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Need a similar "before" pic!
Not that I don't know what a base Base looks like, I have one ....

I'm so tempted to swap the 33's from the 4dr Badlands to the 2dr Base and move the 35's to the 4dr. Problem is , I HATE the tires I bought. Toyo apparently did me dirty.

What size tires do you have now?

I believe he is still running tires from a Badlands takeoff.

 

[Golfsnob]

Yes I'm running the BFG 285/70/17 unit 2:45pm today when the BFG 315/70/17's will be installed. Shout out to my local Discount Tire. They price matched the insane deal at BB Wheels for the tires. They have always treated me right over the years so I always go to them 1st.

 

[lakesinai]

Just an FYI for those that may be contemplating the same. Swapped out the stock Hitachi coilovers from my 2023 base 2 door 2.3 with coilovers from a 2023 Badlands 4 door 2.7. Gained 2" in the front and 1 3/4" on the rear. Sitting dead level at 39" at all 4 corners. Rides great.

Installing the CrawlTech Revolution front & rear bumpers and front skid next week (gotta stay out of the custom shop as it cost me $$$).

Now I'm considering going to a 315/70/17. I've got about 3" to spare to get in the garage.

So I'm sure they're more capable on the Trail. How are they on the highway & around town? Handle potholes/bumps smoother or stiffer? 75mph ride? Turns and handling on pavement?

 

[PWillette]

Yes I'm running the BFG 285/70/17 unit 2:45pm today when the BFG 315/70/17's will be installed. Shout out to my local Discount Tire. They price matched the insane deal at BB Wheels for the tires. They have always treated me right over the years so I always go to them 1st.

Do post up some pics

 

[Discount Tire]

Yes I'm running the BFG 285/70/17 unit 2:45pm today when the BFG 315/70/17's will be installed. Shout out to my local Discount Tire. They price matched the insane deal at BB Wheels for the tires. They have always treated me right over the years so I always go to them 1st.

Thank you for the shout out! Thank you for your patronage! Much appreciated.

 

[mpeugeot]

So I'm sure they're more capable on the Trail. How are they on the highway & around town? Handle potholes/bumps smoother or stiffer? 75mph ride? Turns and handling on pavement?

I did exactly this same swap in 2021 (except with 2 door shocks and springs). It's a little stiffer, but not in a bad way, but just slightly less plush. I don't really notice much of a difference on road between my 2023 OBX with stock Hitachi suspension and my 2021 OBX with the Badlands suspension. Off-road I feel it's a little better.

At 80MPH on the highway, I can't tell the difference. In a parking lot over speed bumps, it's a bit more noticeable. Pavement cornering is roughly the same. There is no significant downside and you won't notice the upside until you are pushing it a bit off-road.

2023 in Oxford White, 2021 in Carbonized Gray

 

[lakesinai]

I did exactly this same swap in 2021 (except with 2 door shocks and springs). It's a little stiffer, but not in a bad way, but just slightly less plush. I don't really notice much of a difference on road between my 2023 OBX with stock Hitachi suspension and my 2021 OBX with the Badlands suspension. Off-road I feel it's a little better.

At 80MPH on the highway, I can't tell the difference. In a parking lot over speed bumps, it's a bit more noticeable. Pavement cornering is roughly the same. There is no significant downside and you won't notice the upside until you are pushing it a bit off-road.

2023 in Oxford White, 2021 in Carbonized Gray

Thanks, Mark. So far with beach my only off-roading, I'm good with 33's and stock. But sometimes, I get to thinking . . .

 

[Golfsnob]

New tires installed!!!

Not enough seat time to access the ride. Negligible difference in how the truck feels as far as acceleration and clutch function. Slightly noticeable. I'll track the MPG's over the next few days as it should decrease.

Removed the crash bars before the install don't really know if it was necessary or not. No issues with the larger size.

Gained an inch now sitting at 40" (ground to lip of flare) at all 4 corners.

A little more poke so I will access that over the next few days and see if Squatch flares are needed.

 

[mpeugeot]

Thanks, Mark. So far with beach my only off-roading, I'm good with 33's and stock. But sometimes, I get to thinking . . .

I am running either the stock OBX rims and tires or RTR Tech 6 rims 17x9 +30 with Milestar Patagonia M/T's in 295 70R17 (33.5" no need to pull the crash bars even with the OBX shocks and springs). I can easily run 34.5" tires with the crash bars pulled, +30 offset, and the Badlands suspension.

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