I've searched the archives, but wanted to get a feel for what the latest and greatest advice is on what to do about the back end bouncing. I live in Southern California, and those few times that we're able to do the speed limit on the freeway--in certain areas my truck bounces like there's no tomorrow. It's so severe that you can hear it in my voice--it sounds like I'm pounding my chest with my fist while I talk.

I replaced my front shocks with bilsteins, but that back shocks are stock. I had originally planned on putting some adjustable ranchos on the back--will that make a difference?

My truck is a 2001 2500 4x4 CTD running 285 BFG AT KO tires. I'd say 90% of the time I drive it empty, the other 10% I'm towing a boat or trailer or carrying a load. Short of getting a concrete bedliner--what's the best bang for the buck way to solve this?

 

On some roads (especially concrete) the distance between the bumps or sections and the length of the wheelbase will cause this bouncing or hopping. The only thing that helps is weight.

 

I bet you have a tire that has delaminated or someting. I had one do that on my 98.5 goat. It felt as it I was riding blueberry wine. went to the tire shop and they told me my cooper had delaminated ( I think was the word) on me, put on a new tire and no more riding bulls.

 

Check for 'roundness' of your tires and rims. Dad's were 1/4" out of round and his truck bounced like crazy, very rythmic and on any road surface above 40mph. If you have the steel rims I'd definitely check them out.

 

my truck did this when i first bought it...we farm so i took some old tractor weights and made a holder for them and put them in the bed....works great and the ride is awesome...

 

I just put new tires and rims on the truck. They've been on there maybe a month. It doesn't do this all the time, just on certain sections of certain highways. So it's definately a road condition. There's no way to put a load on the suspension or something without adding weight?

 

I used a fuel and tool box which helped greatly with the ride. I can tell when the tank is empty for the bounce on certain roads.

 

Yeah, its part of stepping up to a heavier truck. Some of the roads up here sure can get you buckboarding in the slow lane. However you'd be suprised how many steel wheels aren't truly round. If you ever meet my old man Please, Please, Please don't bring this up!

 

Got the same problem. It is a road condition issue as mentioned. New shocks wont hurt but don't expect miracles.

 

Mine had a bounce at 40mph in the rear. I had a tire that had a broken belt in it. They were brand new. That was in 2003. No problems after the tire was changed out.

Dave

 

I'd love to put Kelderman's airbag shackle set up on my truck, I think that might help the most (besides 800 lbs of ballast!)

 

My truck had a BAD bounce when I first got it. The PO had rancho 9000s on it. I changed them over to Bilstein HDs and it was a night and day difference.
Dont get me wrong it still has a bounce on certain highways, but it is definately better.
I would say spend the money on the Bilstein HDs and NOT the Ranchos.
The Ranchos according to the PO had 30000 miles on them and they were rusted out.

 

Your rear stock shocks were worn out at 30,000 miles. Suspension is designed to use shocks to control tire movement, with worn out shocks what do you expect? Almost any cheap shock would be better than nothing, but I have heard Bilsteins are good for an empty truck. I use Rancho 9000 because of my normal heavy load and need to adjust back to empty, and after many years no problems.

 

What rear shock would give me the best bang for the buck?

 

I honestly have been very happy with my Rancho 9000's in the rear. However, you do have to adjust them depending on what you're doing.

Im going to replace my front shocks and run 9000's and the in-cab adjuster so I can adjust my shocks while Im driving.

Bilstein's on the other hand I've heard a lot of good feedback about and you don't need to do any adjusting. I think I've heard a few people go with KYB's and Monroes and seemed to be happy as well.

Good luck in your search.