Need an answer from L.A. folks.
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
Need an answer from L.A. folks.
I drive from El Paso, TX to San Diego once a month, but this time I had to go to L.A. first so I took the I-10. Everything was going great until I hit Palm Springs and then I could swear something was wrong with my suspension. The truck got so bouncy my kidney's started to hurt after about 10 miles. I have a 2004 6.0 CC LB DRW 4x4 with a Donahoe Racing 4.5" lift, Bilstein shocks, and 235/85R16 BFG M/T's aired to 55psi front and 50 psi rear. I got off the freeway and checked out the suspension, but nothing looked wrong. When I got to our warehouse in City of Industry I borrowed one of the mechanic's torque wrenches and checked out the suspension again, but couldn't find anything out of spec. Is this normal for a Super Duty on these roads? If it is, are there any tricks to dealing with it? I want to believe it's the road since I've never experienced anything like it anywhere else. And I would hate to have to drive the wife's car.
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
Originally Posted by F250Wheels
Wellcome to LA, concete hyways suck. Empty truck is the worst, change lanes, change speed sometimes helps.
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
Originally Posted by KeninCali
I keep a kidney belt in my F250 4X4...(just kidding). On most of the Highways out here, stay out of the hammer lane (fast lane) for some reason, those are the worst lanes.
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
Originally Posted by Tlattin
Same lift as you, same issue on LA concrete freeways. The best is trying to talk on the phone as you are being pumbled. You-ur-ur vooiicoi-iccee iis-sss ffuuuunn-n-ny.
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From: Tehachapi, CA
Ditto here! Lived in LA area for 20 years. Had a 350 with Rancho 9000s on it. On certain roads I couldn't have a conversation with my wife next to me. Truck felt like one of those hydraulic bouncers. Solved some of it by dialing the Ranchos down to 1 when I was empty or not towing. Enough to give you a headache. Hang in there.
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
I'm happy to hear it's probably not my suspension. These trucks ride incredibly smooth for a 1 ton as it is, so I think I'll keep things as they are and try to avoid driving on those freeways. Thanks for the responses.
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
We really need to get some video of driving on these freeways so people will fully understand what we are talking about. The phone calls, the attempt at drinking coffee, and definately the belly.
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From: Anaheim
SUperduties and LA freeways really dont mix. The wheelbase seems to be the same length as the cuts in the road. Donahoe Racing has been working on a new valving stack for the rear shock just for this issue. It seens that as you travel down the freeway with an empty truck the rear spring rate with the huge overloads are not allowing the rear suspension to travel the 2" it needs to and wont settle down quick enough. As you hit dip after dip you start a bounce that seems to never end. The key is a shock with NO compression Valving and just a Ton of rebound control to settle out the bumps. Our new Donahoe Racing signature Series shock will be avalible at the end of October. And From our Ride testing it makes a huge differance. One thing we have played with that seems to help alot for LA freeway driving is a Velvet ride shackle... It allows the rear suspension to move a little more then just the spring alone but it still needs more rebound control even with those shackles. The Velvet Ride shackle is a big rubber inpregnated shackle that can be purchased at 4 wheel parts wholesalers.
Hope that helps
Hope that helps
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
Originally Posted by Donahoe
SUperduties and LA freeways really dont mix. The wheelbase seems to be the same length as the cuts in the road. Donahoe Racing has been working on a new valving stack for the rear shock just for this issue. It seens that as you travel down the freeway with an empty truck the rear spring rate with the huge overloads are not allowing the rear suspension to travel the 2" it needs to and wont settle down quick enough. As you hit dip after dip you start a bounce that seems to never end. The key is a shock with NO compression Valving and just a Ton of rebound control to settle out the bumps. Our new Donahoe Racing signature Series shock will be avalible at the end of October. And From our Ride testing it makes a huge differance. One thing we have played with that seems to help alot for LA freeway driving is a Velvet ride shackle... It allows the rear suspension to move a little more then just the spring alone but it still needs more rebound control even with those shackles. The Velvet Ride shackle is a big rubber inpregnated shackle that can be purchased at 4 wheel parts wholesalers.
Hope that helps
Hope that helps
I sent you an email through FTE. Let me know if you got it.
