New struts??
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2015
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New struts??
Hello. I have a 1995 f350 with 160k on it. My lance cabover lives on this truck and is about 2500lbs (maybe 3000 loaded).
I have had the truck about 1.5 years. The ride is STIFF. Like a tank from wwii!! I don't have anything to compare it with. I am curious if getting new struts/shocks might potentially improve the ride?
The truck feels like it kicks like a mule. You hit potholes and it feels like there is no shock absorption at all.
There are bilstens on it now. I'm guessing those aren't stock. No clue how long they may have been with this vehicle. It sounds like replacing them every 50,000 miles or so would be appropriate. I have a least 20,000 miles since I purchased the truck.
My questions are, what I feel much of a difference with new struts. And what brand would people recommend for a truck carrying this much weight. And a rough ballpark of what I might be looking at.
Thanks for any input.
I have had the truck about 1.5 years. The ride is STIFF. Like a tank from wwii!! I don't have anything to compare it with. I am curious if getting new struts/shocks might potentially improve the ride?
The truck feels like it kicks like a mule. You hit potholes and it feels like there is no shock absorption at all.
There are bilstens on it now. I'm guessing those aren't stock. No clue how long they may have been with this vehicle. It sounds like replacing them every 50,000 miles or so would be appropriate. I have a least 20,000 miles since I purchased the truck.
My questions are, what I feel much of a difference with new struts. And what brand would people recommend for a truck carrying this much weight. And a rough ballpark of what I might be looking at.
Thanks for any input.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Basically, Springs dictate the ride, Shocks dictate the stability ...
Probably setting on the overloads and they are stiff ...
When shocks are bad, the vehicle bounces like a basket ball unless they are physically damaged.
Shocks are a good thing to keep up on, Age all depends on the shock!
As for brands ... To each their own!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Probably setting on the overloads and they are stiff ...
When shocks are bad, the vehicle bounces like a basket ball unless they are physically damaged.
Shocks are a good thing to keep up on, Age all depends on the shock!
As for brands ... To each their own!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
What he said. "Shock absorber" is a terrible name for "shocks." The springs are what absorb the shocks. "Shock absorbers" damp the rebound of the spring (and trucks of this vintage don't have struts, for what that's worth).
With the truck borderline overloaded like that it shouldn't ride rough at all (even overload springs shouldn't feel that stiff when loaded to the GVWR). It could be that the springs have sagged and you're almost on the bump stops. That's what I'd suggest looking at.
With the truck borderline overloaded like that it shouldn't ride rough at all (even overload springs shouldn't feel that stiff when loaded to the GVWR). It could be that the springs have sagged and you're almost on the bump stops. That's what I'd suggest looking at.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,339
Likes: 293
From: Laramie, WY
Agree with the above. But another thing to check, what does the spring pack look like? Perhaps a previous owner put a few extra leafs in there. What's the difference in rear bumper height with & without the camper in the truck?
For what it's worth, the Bilsteins in my F150 dampen spring movement rapidly, so it can feel a little more jarring unloaded compared to cheap shocks. They're confidence inspiring when loaded and/or off road though. I'd never go back to the Monroe's I had before.
For what it's worth, the Bilsteins in my F150 dampen spring movement rapidly, so it can feel a little more jarring unloaded compared to cheap shocks. They're confidence inspiring when loaded and/or off road though. I'd never go back to the Monroe's I had before.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I actually think Monroe Gas Magnum are the nicest riding shock for these trucks. The Ranchos I had before made it ride terrible.
On another note. I have KYB on a Mustang and they make it stiff.
So, the comment about the springs being the factor for stiff or soft ride quality isn't completely true.
On another note. I have KYB on a Mustang and they make it stiff.
So, the comment about the springs being the factor for stiff or soft ride quality isn't completely true.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2015
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Thanks for all the input. I believe a large portion of this is due to user error... As in me filling up the air bags too much. I was running them around 40psi and dropped that to 20. AMAZING difference in ride.
I still wonder if changing the shocks would stop some of the bucking/bounce back after I hit a bump. Only one way to find out I guess. And change them.
I still wonder if changing the shocks would stop some of the bucking/bounce back after I hit a bump. Only one way to find out I guess. And change them.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,227
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From: Washington
I'm surprised that you can run the bags at 20psi. Must be the 1 ton springs. The air bags on my F250 run at 80 psi just to level it with my cabover in it.
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With the air bag pressure low (20) I'm still not resting on the overload springs and visually the truck looks level in my driveway.
My cabover is probably around 3,000lbs with water and gear. Makes me wonder why the previous owner put bags on it in the first place? Seem unnecessary.
My cabover is probably around 3,000lbs with water and gear. Makes me wonder why the previous owner put bags on it in the first place? Seem unnecessary.
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