Well I have a big problem. I have developed a infection in my intestines that went into my spine and will probably be in some sort of pain the rest of my life (or so I am told, we shall see).This means 1 of 2 things,improve the ride of my truck or....God forbid, sell it and get a smoother riding vehicle. I prefer option 1, so I am open to all proven ideas. I waited 2 years to find this truck,and it pisses me off that life has rolled a lemon my way......but lets make lemonade and have a party........Bill

 

dammit Bill, that sucks!

hell with truck, what about the vette?! Talk about an unforgiving ride.... So what's your set up now, all stock? bigger tires or lift or anything like that? And what are the load requirements for the truck? You probably see where I'm going with this...

 

Well the Vette doesn't get driven much anymore,about a 100 miles a year.It will be my boys someday so I won't mess with it. My truck is my main concern, it is my daily driver, work horse and family wagon, that is what it was bought for,I have to put my vacation plans on hold for now, but soon as I am able I'm going to do the vacation I planned with my family, with my truck, if possible. The camper is a 29 ft 5er, with 6500 GVW so it's not a big deal that way.

 

Subscribing. Also sorry to hear of your plight, but with my 19.5 tires, mine truck rides like a log wagon. I'm interested to see how you solve this problem. Good luck.

 

So sorry to hear about that. On a side note get more opinions, it can change a lot!!!

Air ride seat would be a great way to go. A bit spendy, but awesome smooth ride for you.

 

I thought of that , it's all stock suspension with factory 20's. Somebody told me to look into airride for the truck as I have a compressor set up already in the plans. Who knows maybe this will work out but right now I can't even climb into the truck. I feel like a 90 yr old man. Wish my son was a few yrs older to help me out.

 

ok so let's get started with some ideas. You've got a Lariat so I assume 18" wheels.

You'd have to determine your loaded max weight 1st, but you could drop to D rated tires, they'll be softer. With your current E rated ones you can start by reducing pressure (rear) and running with a load in the bed always (I'd try some container that you can play with water amount in for best empty ride). There was a chart I saw from Michelin that gave various tire pressures and affect on weight capacity -- I'll try to find it -- that would give you what safe ranges are for given weights.

So a cheaper way to play with the seating than full air ride is with foam, both standard and memory foam. I'd play around with just foam thicknesses and where they help you and then maybe have them sewn into a fabric case when you find what works best.

Not sure if we could do much with shocks. My ranchos are a bit softer than stock shocks on 1st setting, between 2-3 clicks is what stock felt like and I run on 4 when empty to control tire jounce for my heavier than stock BFGs. I set them to 9 for the camper and horse trailer and it's nice but on 9 and empty it is like there is NO suspension.

I'll look for the chart and think on this more.......

 

oops, took too long typing and you've posted more info. Based on 20s you should consider going to 17s or 18s for sure with more sidewall to flex...

I think that was an air suspension seat. Air ride is stiffer/bouncier (at least our Expy it is). If you have rear bags they need to go, unfortunately...

 

In your avatar picture, it doesn't look like you have running boards or a step -- that would help a lot too getting in/out...

 

I've got running boards, my wife told me not to get my underware in a knot just yet, wait until the infection is done and the healing can start and stop moving around cause I'm not going anyware till the doc says so. Going to 18's was my first idea and Bilsteins all around 5100 I believe the number is. If I can make it ride like my Sierra I'm in.

 

That, my friend, just ain't never gonna' happen, unfortunately...

So we'll wait on you. As much as I'm going to get castrated here for saying this: An LBZ Duramax will be the closest you can get to the Sierra and have reliable diesel power...

 

Ya, I know....try to find one as clean as my Ford , with the options I have,for the money I paid........It's not going to happen. The market is crazy on the GM stuff and I just won't pay it, plus the Dura Max have their own set of issues worst than the Ford, I'd buy a GMC gasser first

 

You MAY be able to get your doctor to declare the air seat a medical necessity due to your condition and thus make it tax deductible as a medical expense. It's certainly worth a try.

 

That's a idea, but I'm hoping this cowboy can just go back to work. I have 3 more years to retirement. I still want to clean up the ride I was planning on the bilsteins anyway

 

I understand the pain issue. With my back the way it is I
find I do better in the truck over some cars. Part of that has
to do with leg positioning and the little cars just don't have it.

The air bag and adjustable shock I think is going to be the greater
part of the solution in your case. You may even want to think
"OUT OF THE BOX" with the shocks. Like the type you can tune
with different oil,piston and orifices packages.

Your wife is right in wait and don't do a lot of jumping around
right yet. Get yourself healthy first.

Sean