How do YOU know when it's time for new shocks?

My rear axle is planted pretty good, but when I got over a rough spot in the road the backend just bounces & slides everywhere. I'm running 285/75/16 AT's out back with a "D" Load Rating.

After an encounter with a few potholes and the rear end going nuts, I figured I need to do something before this happens in the rain.

The only thing in the bed is a spare tire, a tow chain, a gooseneck hitch, and a pipe bumper outback.

The truck rides decent when pulling a car hauler with a car.

It sits up pretty good in the back, but when you rock the rear bumper up & down, the whole truck moves up and down pretty easily like the shocks are worn.

What shocks are recommended?

 

I have always liked Monroe Magnums myself. They are the large yellow monroes available at NAPA.

Unbolt them on one end and see if they move to easily, should have quite a bit if resistance to movement. If they are oil/dust covered they are probably leaking as well.

I can jump on my rear bumper and the truck hardly budges, that is the stiff springs though. The shocks only dampen the movement of the springs.

 

Is there a difference in the rear springs/shocks between the D250 and W250s?

 

I can't say for shure, but I would assume the Ws are much longer.

 

Mine does that when I have less than 1000 lbs. on it. Do you have the factory overloads on it? My truck bounces like a ball when it's not loaded. A way to check your shocks is to jump up on the bumper if it bounces just once your shocks are good. If it bounces up and down more than once or twice your shocks aren't dampening. I got brand new KYB shocks for the front about a month ago and right off of the jacks the seals started leaking. When I hit a bump in the road it would bounce about 5-6 times. Needless to say they had to send me some new shocks.

 

With the front end sagging hardcore If i hit a bump the front end glides over it and bounces up and down like it's on balloons. But then the rear will rattle your kidneys right out.

I'm gonna swap out the rear springs this week, maybe today if I get bored enough. The front end is going to have to wait a while, cause it needs the full treatment.

 

Rear springs are the same between D and W models, W models use a spacer to lift the truck.

My '85 D-250 had 9 (!) leaf packs in the back. I had a spring shop pull 3 out, it rode much better then. You may want to consider pulling some leaves out of yours if you don't work the truck hard. You can add air bags to regain the lost capacity if needed.

 

Hey Texashardcore- i purchased Monroe Road Warriors for all 4 of my 93' D250 club cab. These shocks are extreme heavy duty w/o all the jolting your feelings out of your teeth ride! They almost feel like I installed a front anti-sway bar on the front. I haven't even installed a sway bar yet, but it sure handles much better. They run around $50 to $60 bucks each and come with an excellent warranty:10 years extreme heavy duty use, or limited lifetime warranty. I chose the 10 years extreme heavy duty because I am in construction and occasionally pull a heavy trailer or even my 42' boat.

 

Well the front suspension is a whole other ball game in my case. I need a complete overhaul of the front end. I'm slowly collecting the pieces required.

Thanks for the tip on those Road Warriors, I'll look into them.