I need help understanding if there is a way to make a Tracker 2 door ride better.  My 92 is very harsh over even small bumps in the road.  I know this is somewhat to be expected for this size vehicle but I wonder how much it can be improved.  For reference I've driven several Wrangler TJ's and while they are similar size they seem to ride much better.  With the Tracker when I go over a bump in the road the body seems to come crashing down harshly.  I've tried disconnecting one shock to see how it is with less dampening.  That didn't help.  What it seems that the suspension needs is to decompress more slowly after hitting a bump than it does.  What can be done for this?  I spoke with a tech at Rocky-Road about this yesterday.  Their website seems to say that with an Old Man Emu suspension that ride is much improved.  The tech's feeling was that it didn't make much difference.  He said that with a winch bumper and a rear spare tire carrier the ride was a bit better.

Different struts (OME) will make a huge difference.... Also check the air pressure in your tires. Most run the tires recommended PSI (30-35 range) when the recommended pressure in the trackers is somewhere in the lower 20's PSI. This will make a HUGE difference in the harsh shock you feel when hitting bumps. The Trackers are much lighter than most vehicles and done need the higher pressure as heavier vehicles... Also try some different shocks of the rear is doing the same....

You are correct that more weight will help soften the ride, but tire pressure and strut/shock adjustment will be much cheaper and easier.

HTH,
Zig

I have 235/75/15 BFG AT's on the stock 5.5 inch rims.  At what tire pressure would I risk unsetting the bead from the rim?  I currently run 25 psi.

I ran 235s at 15-18,  the stock size is supposed to be 23 PSI
but the method of chalking across the tread and driving, reducing
pressure each time until the whole tread surface shows even
chalk removal would be the most accurate way to get the best
tire wear and ride. What you are looking for is sidewall flex to
soften the ride

Wild

Do you have a lift or spacers currently installed on the vehicle?

No lift or spacers.

Try running about 17 lbs rear, 23 lbs front to start. You won't pop a bead, especially running stock rims. I find with mine, for the weight distribution of the Trackicks, 5 lbs less in the rear gives an even ride with better suspension compliance. I don't even remember what mine was like stock, but it certainly was never as " harsh " as you describe. Also, Forget what RR told you, OME stuff rides WAY better than stock stuff. Expensive yes, but worth it. How many miles on your rig? It may be time for replacement stuff anyway. Do your rear shocks work through their travel smoothly?  Disconnect them and try moving them through their travel by hand, should be smooth and with some resistance. Are your rear coils binding somehow? Also, do you have all the stock equipment in your truck? backseat, etc? I carry a box of spares weighing about 85 lbs, strapped to the floor in the back. At first it was just for my cross country trip, but I found the extra weight made it ride a lot nicer so I just leave it in now.

Try running about 17 lbs rear, 23 lbs front to start. You won't pop a bead, especially running stock rims. I find with mine, for the weight distribution of the Trackicks, 5 lbs less in the rear gives an even ride with better suspension compliance. I don't even remember what mine was like stock, but it certainly was never as " harsh " as you describe. Also, Forget what RR told you, OME stuff rides WAY better than stock stuff. Expensive yes, but worth it. How many miles on your rig? It may be time for replacement stuff anyway. Do your rear shocks work through their travel smoothly?  Disconnect them and try moving them through their travel by hand, should be smooth and with some resistance. Are your rear coils binding somehow? Also, do you have all the stock equipment in your truck? backseat, etc? I carry a box of spares weighing about 85 lbs, strapped to the floor in the back. At first it was just for my cross country trip, but I found the extra weight made it ride a lot nicer so I just leave it in now.

I'll have to try lowering the tire pressure.  The rear shocks are new and do work smoothly when I manually compress them.  The suspension seems to move freely when the shocks were disconnected.    The truck has 145k miles.  I do have the backseat in.  I have a 50 pound bag of salt at home.  I'll have to see how it rides with that in the back.