Leaf spring questions
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Northern Colorado
Thanks, Chad. Your input is always appreciated. I'm familiar with the concept of spring rates (I'm a big motorcycle guy), so I guess the (rhetorical) question I was really asking is...if it "feels" like your springs are too stiff, is it safe to say you need to soften your ride? I'm guessing yes.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Are you guys running empty?? Remember these trucks were built prior to pickup trucks becoming a fashion statement as in recent decades. They will not ride well at all without several hundred pounds payload in the bed.
Put some weight in the back, and they ride (and steer) VERY much better. You can make them a lot nicer running empty, but will then lose permanent payload capacity. To each his own I guess, but I can't see taking away from the basic function. My 64 has "helper" springs somebody installed along the way.
Good springs (and shackles/bushings) make all the difference in good handling, and braking, too.
Put some weight in the back, and they ride (and steer) VERY much better. You can make them a lot nicer running empty, but will then lose permanent payload capacity. To each his own I guess, but I can't see taking away from the basic function. My 64 has "helper" springs somebody installed along the way.
Good springs (and shackles/bushings) make all the difference in good handling, and braking, too.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Northern Colorado
So the quick update is that my Rancho 9000s were set all the up to 9, and provide a much better ride with these spring stacks when they're on 1. Still bouncy, but now just normal 4x4 bouncy, not teeth chattering.
I do generally run "empty" with the exception of my 60gal fuel tank at the front of the bed. it not used for work, so I don't haul stuff just to haul it. I hand fabbed my shackles/hangers and have some quality Betts springs, but that's interesting to hear about the heavier load making a big diff in better handing.
If I fill my 60 gal tank, that's going to be about 520 pounds in the bed.
Are you guys running empty?? Remember these trucks were built prior to pickup trucks becoming a fashion statement as in recent decades. They will not ride well at all without several hundred pounds payload in the bed.
Put some weight in the back, and they ride (and steer) VERY much better. You can make them a lot nicer running empty, but will then lose permanent payload capacity. To each his own I guess, but I can't see taking away from the basic function. My 64 has "helper" springs somebody installed along the way.
Good springs (and shackles/bushings) make all the difference in good handling, and braking, too.
Put some weight in the back, and they ride (and steer) VERY much better. You can make them a lot nicer running empty, but will then lose permanent payload capacity. To each his own I guess, but I can't see taking away from the basic function. My 64 has "helper" springs somebody installed along the way.
Good springs (and shackles/bushings) make all the difference in good handling, and braking, too.
If I fill my 60 gal tank, that's going to be about 520 pounds in the bed.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Well what I meant to say was that serviceable springs, shackles/bushings will make for better handling, and braking. By now any original rubber parts have turned to stone, or dust/completely gone. The braking action has to do with the way the suspension and rear spring pack loads up.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 94
From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
Well what I meant to say was that serviceable springs, shackles/bushings will make for better handling, and braking. By now any original rubber parts have turned to stone, or dust/completely gone. The braking action has to do with the way the suspension and rear spring pack loads up.
BarnieTrk
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 713
Likes: 3
From: Florida
The guys that built my springs for my 64 were very helpful. Always good to speak with folks that specialize in certain areas, such as a spring shop. By the way, that is a B-E-A utiful truck ya got there....
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