Make it ride better?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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Make it ride better?
So I've got ~ 90k miles. The first 60 were kinda hard on it, towing heavy trailers and whatnot, but since then it is just a daily driver (that has boat duty about 2 times a week).
The point is, I've replaced my shocks with bilsteins, but it still rides too rough. I would like it to be quite a bit smoother.
My thoughts are:
1. Air Ride system
2. Remove a leaf or 3 from the rear
3. Get a 3/4 inch plate of steal and bolt it through the bed.
Any better ideas? Cause these all suck.
The point is, I've replaced my shocks with bilsteins, but it still rides too rough. I would like it to be quite a bit smoother.
My thoughts are:
1. Air Ride system
2. Remove a leaf or 3 from the rear
3. Get a 3/4 inch plate of steal and bolt it through the bed.
Any better ideas? Cause these all suck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
what is wrong with an air ride system? do you want better unloaded smoothness or more load handling ability? or both? i would do a combination of VelvetRide shackles in the rear (google them) and add a Firestone Ride right system with airbags in the rear. bolts between the framerail and the u-bolt plate on top of the spring. it will make the ride smoother empty, yet still have as much and even more load handling capabilty, with added benefits of leveling the load and reducing sway.
when you do one of the other things you mentioned, you losing more than it's worth. removing spring leaves is not recommended, as also as bolting a steel plate in the bed. you lose load handling capacity with removing leaves, it will ride lower in the rear. a steel plate acts as a bashing ram in an accident. you would spend a fortune on many bolts to make sure that doesnt go anywhere. imagine a head-on collision at 40 mph. the truck stops, but the steel plate shears off the bolts, and slices through the tin of the front of the bed and the cab, and then you know what happens next, i won't go there.
when you do one of the other things you mentioned, you losing more than it's worth. removing spring leaves is not recommended, as also as bolting a steel plate in the bed. you lose load handling capacity with removing leaves, it will ride lower in the rear. a steel plate acts as a bashing ram in an accident. you would spend a fortune on many bolts to make sure that doesnt go anywhere. imagine a head-on collision at 40 mph. the truck stops, but the steel plate shears off the bolts, and slices through the tin of the front of the bed and the cab, and then you know what happens next, i won't go there.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 360
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From: Mount Vernon, Washington
Hey Strokin I'm interested in getting my truck to ride smoother also with less bounce. Not worried about load carrying ability at least for a few years until I retire. Just want to make the wife happy getting rid of some of the bounce. Do you think just the Velvet Ride system would help a lot, a little or somewhere in between. Also any problems using the system with a front leveling system?? Thanks in advance....
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mount Vernon, Washington
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mount Vernon, Washington
I could see doing that as a temporary fix, but mine is a daily driver, and with the price of petroleum based products, tires in this case, I'm trying to get the best mileage out of mine too....I know I want my cake and eat it too...
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Reno nv
When I was in the snow last winter, I ran about 400 lbs of sand sacks right up against the cab with a 2 X 4 in one of the bedliner pockets to keep it there.
Rode way better, didn't seem to affect fuel mileage all that much, maybe 1/2 mpg but then again I usually claim 20 mpg.
Rode way better, didn't seem to affect fuel mileage all that much, maybe 1/2 mpg but then again I usually claim 20 mpg.
