Rough Ride Revisited
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 17
From: Hesperia, CA
Rough Ride Revisited
I already posted this in the driveline forum, but thougth I would post it here as well in hope of getting more input.
I have posted before about my trucks stiff ride and received several suggestions. I need to revisit this issue. I have confirmed that a lot of the stiffness comes from the shocks. I put new set of sens-a-trac shocks on a year ago. I was at the local hardware supply store yesterday and was talking to another gearhead and he stated that I could put air shocks on and the stiffness can be adjusted with the air pressure. He claims the shocks become softer as the air pressure is reduced. Does anybody have any experience using air shocks. I am not interested in load handling I am interested in making the truck ride more like a car. If not, I am going to have to give up on the truck due to my wife’s bad back. The truck rides smooth with the fifth wheel in tow. The problem is when driving solo.
I have posted before about my trucks stiff ride and received several suggestions. I need to revisit this issue. I have confirmed that a lot of the stiffness comes from the shocks. I put new set of sens-a-trac shocks on a year ago. I was at the local hardware supply store yesterday and was talking to another gearhead and he stated that I could put air shocks on and the stiffness can be adjusted with the air pressure. He claims the shocks become softer as the air pressure is reduced. Does anybody have any experience using air shocks. I am not interested in load handling I am interested in making the truck ride more like a car. If not, I am going to have to give up on the truck due to my wife’s bad back. The truck rides smooth with the fifth wheel in tow. The problem is when driving solo.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
Likes: 398
From: W. Central FL.
Since you don't give specifics on the truck, size, GVWR, etc I'll just go with generalities.
Stiff ride is the result of spring rate vs weight of the truck, weight it is designed to haul. Doubt if you find the shocks contribute much to the stiff ride. Air shocks will not do much make it ride easier unless you reduce the spring rate/capacity of the existing springs and then inflate the air shocks to support the truck. Air bags would work better than shocks if you go this route. Tire stiffness is a factor in ride, a lower pressure may help. Respectfully, if you want it to ride like a car, buy a car or ride around with 1000 lbs of load in the truck.
Stiff ride is the result of spring rate vs weight of the truck, weight it is designed to haul. Doubt if you find the shocks contribute much to the stiff ride. Air shocks will not do much make it ride easier unless you reduce the spring rate/capacity of the existing springs and then inflate the air shocks to support the truck. Air bags would work better than shocks if you go this route. Tire stiffness is a factor in ride, a lower pressure may help. Respectfully, if you want it to ride like a car, buy a car or ride around with 1000 lbs of load in the truck.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 17
From: Hesperia, CA
Since you don't give specifics on the truck, size, GVWR, etc I'll just go with generalities.
Stiff ride is the result of spring rate vs weight of the truck, weight it is designed to haul. Doubt if you find the shocks contribute much to the stiff ride. Air shocks will not do much make it ride easier unless you reduce the spring rate/capacity of the existing springs and then inflate the air shocks to support the truck. Air bags would work better than shocks if you go this route. Tire stiffness is a factor in ride, a lower pressure may help. Respectfully, if you want it to ride like a car, buy a car or ride around with 1000 lbs of load in the truck.
Stiff ride is the result of spring rate vs weight of the truck, weight it is designed to haul. Doubt if you find the shocks contribute much to the stiff ride. Air shocks will not do much make it ride easier unless you reduce the spring rate/capacity of the existing springs and then inflate the air shocks to support the truck. Air bags would work better than shocks if you go this route. Tire stiffness is a factor in ride, a lower pressure may help. Respectfully, if you want it to ride like a car, buy a car or ride around with 1000 lbs of load in the truck.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Hellertown,Pa
shocks help dampen and control spring movement/ oscillation
yes, a blown shock, or heavy duty gas filled unit will effect ride
but it's your springs not the shocks giving you your ride quality
If you do a search on here there's some info on swapping out the rear springs to 54" chebbie springs and re-setting the rear shackle angle
yes, a blown shock, or heavy duty gas filled unit will effect ride
but it's your springs not the shocks giving you your ride quality
If you do a search on here there's some info on swapping out the rear springs to 54" chebbie springs and re-setting the rear shackle angle
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