Any way to improve ride quality?
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Wilmette, IL
Thanks all for the input! A lot of great idea's! I will try airing down the tires first; then putting some weight in the bed, over the rear axles. Right now; I have 55 psi in the front tires, and 80 in the rears. I will give 65 psi in the rear a try. I might remove one rear shock as well. I am in need of new tires, and might go with Kumho all-terrain's.
If I didn't sell my mig welder, I would fab up some longer shock brackets. I still have an old 'buzz box,' but haven't stick welder in a while
If I didn't sell my mig welder, I would fab up some longer shock brackets. I still have an old 'buzz box,' but haven't stick welder in a while
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Richmond, MI
Try the shock deal for kicks, Just remove them from the bottom plates and let them dangle for a ride... They won't go anywhere.. Or zip tie them up... Then stop and throw just one on.. Thats what I did and found one shock wasn't bad.. Try it, let me know if your results were the same as mine.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 473
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From: Wilmette, IL
Try the shock deal for kicks, Just remove them from the bottom plates and let them dangle for a ride... They won't go anywhere.. Or zip tie them up... Then stop and throw just one on.. Thats what I did and found one shock wasn't bad.. Try it, let me know if your results were the same as mine.
I try your method with the rear shocks, next time I get to work on the truck. Right now I have E rated cooper's on. I will probably be buying 4 new tires this summer. Maybe I should go with the D rated tires? I never tow more than around 6 or 7 grand in weight. If I was lugging around 10,000 lbs or so, then the E rated tires would be the way to go.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Minnesota
Heavier duty trucks (for example, the school bus I drive) often only have 1 or 2 really big leaves per corner. The front axle has two leaves per side that are very wide and long. The rear has an arrangement that's something like one "main" leaf, and the other 2-3 rear leaves are hung like normal at the front, but ride on an "overload" thing at the back. So basically you're only riding on one leaf until it needs more. Of course it's still a bumpy ride, but considering the 30k GVWR it rides a lot better than my Dodge even when empty. My dodge has 13 leaves per side in the back, of the usual length and width.
My guess is that it's just plain better to have less leaves that are thicker and wider. I took this picture of an ancient Oshkosh snowplow at a junkyard last year... you can't really see it behind the air tank, but there's another 15 or so leaves just in the overload on top of the regular spring pack (which is visible)!
My guess is that it's just plain better to have less leaves that are thicker and wider. I took this picture of an ancient Oshkosh snowplow at a junkyard last year... you can't really see it behind the air tank, but there's another 15 or so leaves just in the overload on top of the regular spring pack (which is visible)!
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Phx
Not sure if this was suggested or not..
I thought my W250 rode OK until I removed the stock steel rims and went with a set of Ford Alcoa's that I came across, the ride difference was amazing. I used a scale and found that my rim weight was reduced by 16# per wheel. The bumps and ruts that used to throw the truck around and get the axles bouncing is almost gone.
Shocks and tires are still the same.
I thought my W250 rode OK until I removed the stock steel rims and went with a set of Ford Alcoa's that I came across, the ride difference was amazing. I used a scale and found that my rim weight was reduced by 16# per wheel. The bumps and ruts that used to throw the truck around and get the axles bouncing is almost gone.
Shocks and tires are still the same.
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From: Cedar Grove, New Jersey
not sure if it was on a first gen, but saw a lengthy write up on a person who took his spring packs apart. then worked on them with sanding off the rust, then coated them, and installed poly spacers between them on re assembly, made the truck a driveable joy according to article.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Santa Rosa, Ca
I've also been thinking about running 63inch chevys in the rear.
Like mikmaze said I knoiw someone in the 1st gen forum wrote about the spring pack. First he put a layer of some kind of sheet material but that didn't last long so he went to poly buttons on the ends
Like mikmaze said I knoiw someone in the 1st gen forum wrote about the spring pack. First he put a layer of some kind of sheet material but that didn't last long so he went to poly buttons on the ends
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From: Longview, Tx
not sure if it was on a first gen, but saw a lengthy write up on a person who took his spring packs apart. then worked on them with sanding off the rust, then coated them, and installed poly spacers between them on re assembly, made the truck a driveable joy according to article.
Here's the sticky
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/....html?t=224332
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From: North of Calgary Alberta
Anyone here using Bilstein or Rancho shocks on their 1st gen? If so; how do you like them? I just put 4 new Monroe HD shocks on my 93. I have the 2 1/2" Skyjacker leafs on the front; which have helped in regards to ride quality, somewhat. She's still a brutal ride on our rough NE IL - SE WI road I know the old 1 ton - 3/4 ton trucks, will never ride like the new one's - but there has to be some way to improve ride quality? The Kelderman (SP) setup is out of my $ range!
A buddy of mine suggested that I remove a leaf pack or two, out of the rear leafs, then add air bags (for when I need to tow). 1/2 ton Ram charger leafs in the rear; along with bags were another suggestion mentioned. Has anyone tried this? I know suspension seats would help (like baja racers/truckers use), but again they are expensive. Any price conscious suggestions on improving the ride quality on my 3/4 ton, is greatly appreciated! I guess I could try an air cushion first
I know the old 1 ton - 3/4 ton trucks, will never ride like the new one's - but there has to be some way to improve ride quality? The Kelderman (SP) setup is out of my $ range!A buddy of mine suggested that I remove a leaf pack or two, out of the rear leafs, then add air bags (for when I need to tow). 1/2 ton Ram charger leafs in the rear; along with bags were another suggestion mentioned. Has anyone tried this? I know suspension seats would help (like baja racers/truckers use), but again they are expensive. Any price conscious suggestions on improving the ride quality on my 3/4 ton, is greatly appreciated! I guess I could try an air cushion first
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Wisconsin
I think there is something in the sticky about chamfering the ends of your leafs and there is also something about putting spacers between your leafs so that they don't rub so much. I think Jim Lane wrote them up.
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On my jeep forum there was also a sticky about how to soften your leaf spring ride... it was pretty simple.
1. wait for some warm summer temps
2. liberally smear the sides and tips of the spring pack with grease
3. wrap the entire affair in duct tape.
4. remove 2 weeks later or whenever ride improves.
1. wait for some warm summer temps
2. liberally smear the sides and tips of the spring pack with grease
3. wrap the entire affair in duct tape.
4. remove 2 weeks later or whenever ride improves.
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From: Pen Argyl Pennsylvania
I run a kelderman system up front and out back. The front is controled using a air tank the back using a compressor under the hood and I have rough country nitro charged shocks and compared to all the other 1st gens I have ridden in mine feels like a caddy. Here is a pic of the rear fully extended (6" total lift). It's a old picture with the blown out monroe's on it.
