I have a 1997 Bearcat 454 4x4. This weekend while trial riding it for the first time (machine is new to me). I noticed the shocks, actually the springs seem kinda mushy. It rolls and pushes in the corners. My question is I know this is not really a trail machine so to speak, so is this just how it is or should I look into upgrading the springs? Or do you have to replace the spring and shock as one unit and if so can you get stiffer ones? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Thats just how they were. You could probably put stiffer shocks/springs on it and firm it up though. I had a 99, and when I added the lift kit, it stiffened up the suspension a lot (because it takes some of the travel out of the shocks.

 

the other thing you could do is look into getting a set of shocks from a act machine- in 03 they had the 5 (I believe) adjustable preloads and were a little stiffer than the 02s which only have 3 preloads.

 

that was a real good idea there. I seriously doubt they have changed the length of the shock enough to matter since the Bearcat. The frame design has stayed pretty much the same on those. Good point.