Smooth my ride
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Elder User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 977
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From: Houston, TX
Smooth my ride
I'm looking for options to smooth out the ride in my 67 f100 SWB. I'm wondering how much difference some high-grade shocks can make? I just recently got the truck so I'm not sure how old the current shocks are. The ride seems pretty stiff.
Also, the rear has traction bars and I'm wondering if that would have any affect on the cushion of the ride?
Thanks.
Also, the rear has traction bars and I'm wondering if that would have any affect on the cushion of the ride?
Thanks.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
First off the swb trucks don't ride as smooth as lwb trucks, something you can't change. With a fe and auto the stock front springs should provide a soft ride with all that iron unless the suspension and shocks are binding up. On the rear you can make a softer ride with the same spring pack if you disassemble and polish the contact area between leafs with 120 grit flap wheel. Use Dow Corning's 721 dry film moly spray them reassemble. This would be a good time also to replace spring eye ends with poly bushings. I have a 3/4 that was a back breaker until I rebuilt the rear leafs, 6 years later and still a soft ride without removing any leafs.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
JD, You are riding in a truck, it aint gonna ride like a car. Back when they were built ride was way down on the list.
Pickups were like second class, unlike the tricked out units sold today. My father wouldn't drive his truck to church unless there was a work day there and it was needed.
John
Pickups were like second class, unlike the tricked out units sold today. My father wouldn't drive his truck to church unless there was a work day there and it was needed.
John
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Elder User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 977
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From: Houston, TX
Yes John, I know I'm riding in a truck and I've ridden in them forever. This truck, whether it be my imagination or not, seems rougher than others.
At any rate, if people can hack and saw and lower and jack-up and chop top and everything else they do to trucks, I don't think it's too much to ask if anyone has a suggestion for making it a little smoother. I didn't ask for the ride of a sports car or something. My truck is a daily driver and I'd take it anywhere I felt like.
I respect your input John and your knowledge that you've given over the years. Do you have any helpful suggestions. Something other than telling me I shouldn't do what I wish with my truck?
Thanks for your input "Beemer Nut", I'll look in to that. Has anyone tried the high grade shocks? Worth the investment?
At any rate, if people can hack and saw and lower and jack-up and chop top and everything else they do to trucks, I don't think it's too much to ask if anyone has a suggestion for making it a little smoother. I didn't ask for the ride of a sports car or something. My truck is a daily driver and I'd take it anywhere I felt like.
I respect your input John and your knowledge that you've given over the years. Do you have any helpful suggestions. Something other than telling me I shouldn't do what I wish with my truck?
Thanks for your input "Beemer Nut", I'll look in to that. Has anyone tried the high grade shocks? Worth the investment?
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
jdbanks....I may be old school in thinking but the best shocks that i've found that last with heavy front end Fords is Monroe Gas Magnum 60's front and rear (over 800K miles with them). Only when it gets below 40 degrees F will they act stiff for a few miles until the oil inside warms up. I would bet 90% of your harsh ride is from the rear springs. As far as wasting money on "high end" shocks I was told I "must run" Biltsteins on my 95 Rover Discovery, what a piece of crap and money waste they were. JMO.
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Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Nov 13, 2005 at 08:09 PM.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 178
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Hey JD, I know these trucks can ride smooth. According to Ford's original sales pitch "works like a truck, rides like a car", they knew it too. My first 67 F100 had the best ride of almost any vehicle I had ridden in, ranging from Caddilacs to Volkswagens. I had not heard how to rebuild leaf springs until I read Beemer Nuts' reply. My 3/4 ton crew also rides rough, so I will be rebuilding the rear leafs to see if that helps. Thanks Beemer. I would be interested in your results JD, if you try this.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by jdbanks
Yes John, I know I'm riding in a truck and I've ridden in them forever. This truck, whether it be my imagination or not, seems rougher than others.
I respect your input John and your knowledge that you've given over the years. Do you have any helpful suggestions. Something other than telling me I shouldn't do what I wish with my truck?
I respect your input John and your knowledge that you've given over the years. Do you have any helpful suggestions. Something other than telling me I shouldn't do what I wish with my truck?
Forgive me???
John
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Elder User
Joined: May 2001
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From: Houston, TX
Originally Posted by jowilker
JD, It was more tounge in cheek. Your rear spring rate will have more effect on the ride and changing shocks. Shocks will dampen the ride that the heavy springs are putting in. That is why 3/4 & 1 ton trucks ride stiffer.
Forgive me???
John
Forgive me???
John
...how could I not? 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll let you know how things turn out.
I'm still wondering if those traction/ladder bars have any affect on the ride, if anyone has any knowledge, please share. Thanks.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,690
Likes: 6
Here's how a suspension works. Springs provide the cushion for your vehicle to bounce. Shocks stop the bouncing of the springs. The stiffness of the ride is in the springs, not the shocks. Now if your truck bounces you all over the place when you hit bumps then new shocks will cure that. But they won't get rid of stiffness. F100 trucks come with the smoothest set of springs you can get on these trucks.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: South Austin
My 68 f100 L.B. has a very smooth ride compared to many trucks I have been in. It was pretty smooth to begin with but was even better when I installed passanger car touring steal belted radial tires and got rid of the truck tires. This is a daily driver and I am getting about 4.5 yrs out of a set so far. I feel it was one of the better investments I have made on the truck.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,690
Likes: 6
I agree with fishman, my 72 F100 lb is also a very smooth ride. And I forgot, good tires do make a difference. So do new tires. Old worn tires make for a rougher ride. My 92 4x4 with a lift is stiffer than heck. I feel every bump in that sucker.
