Suspension Q ?
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Suspension Q ?
Help me out here?
I'm just not sure if my shocks are wearing out but the trucks jumps like a wild horse on the hwy/fwy. Every time I run over a moderate size dip the truck jumps too high very soft taking a big down and a big jump up that my head almost bumps the headliner? Even my little girl got scared.
I've check the shocks/struts and there's no leaking, pushing on the bumper up and down with my knee shows the suspension to be ok but too soft, any ideas?
2000 3.0 xtra cab 4x2
I'm just not sure if my shocks are wearing out but the trucks jumps like a wild horse on the hwy/fwy. Every time I run over a moderate size dip the truck jumps too high very soft taking a big down and a big jump up that my head almost bumps the headliner? Even my little girl got scared.
I've check the shocks/struts and there's no leaking, pushing on the bumper up and down with my knee shows the suspension to be ok but too soft, any ideas?
2000 3.0 xtra cab 4x2
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Abilene Kansas
the shocks wear out every couple of years. i replace mine every 2 years. I purches lifetime warentee shocks and all i have to do is present my old shocks with a reciept and i get new ones, free
Matt
Matt
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Test you shocks first of all... press down on the rear of the truck pretty hard (put lots of weight on it) and let off, it should return to it's original position within one cycle of going up and back down. It shouldn't go up and down like a boat in wavy water. Do the same to the front.
The shocks on the Silverado (also a 2000) were worn out when I replaced them as well as mine two summers ago, so I'd imagine yours are fairly worn out as well.
That being said, bad shocks typically make it handle like a boat on the highway rather than making it ride extremely stiff.
The shocks on the Silverado (also a 2000) were worn out when I replaced them as well as mine two summers ago, so I'd imagine yours are fairly worn out as well.
That being said, bad shocks typically make it handle like a boat on the highway rather than making it ride extremely stiff.
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From: Maine
When my shocks finally really wore out (after 215k miles), the biggest things I noticed were nose dive under braking (to the point it was difficult to steer and brake hard), and real bad wander on the highway, especially in even the slightest side wind.
Pushing down on the front bumper with all my weight (~160 lbs) it would bounce maybe 3-4 times before it settled down.
Pushing down on the front bumper with all my weight (~160 lbs) it would bounce maybe 3-4 times before it settled down.
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I'll check again pushing down with ol my weight #260 to be exact : )
Anyway If I need new shocks, which ones you recomend?
I was thinking Gabriel gas?
How hard is to change the front ones on the 2000 v6 4x2 xtra cab?
Anyway If I need new shocks, which ones you recomend?
I was thinking Gabriel gas?
How hard is to change the front ones on the 2000 v6 4x2 xtra cab?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Aurora
easy to change out. As far as Gabriels are concerned, I dont' know. A lot of guys swear by Bilsteins, which are OEM for the level II. Other good shocks out there and their quality is directly proportional to the price, so if your interested, don't cheap out on crap. You'll be disappointed I'm sure
Fred
Fred
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
I went with Gabriel MaxControls. They're firm out of the box, but extremely stable, which is what I wanted.
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From: Maine
I went with the cheapest crap they had.
They were a huge improvement, but they're still lousy. If I get some money this summer, I may swap them out for something a bit better, at least in the front.
They were a huge improvement, but they're still lousy. If I get some money this summer, I may swap them out for something a bit better, at least in the front.
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
I must agree...the front is the more important side being that it handles a LOT more weight than the rear constantly. Using matching shocks as I did on the front and rear ends up with a VERY stiff rear that hits bumps like my forehead on a brick wall. I suggest stiffer up front and softer in the rear, BUT not too much of either.
Last edited by RangerPilot; May 7, 2007 at 11:07 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Abilene Kansas
man, i need a softer ride for the roads i drive. our county roads are suspention killers. they wont sell my dad a warentee shock because they are ruined in a year. he truck sees 90% county 10% hiway miles
Matt
Matt
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From: Denver
Originally Posted by RangerPilot
I must agree...the front is the more important side being that it handles a LOT more weight than the rear constantly. Using matching shocks as I did on the front and rear ends up with a VERY stiff rear that hits bumps like my forehead on a brick wall. I suggest stiffer up front and softer in the rear.
The stock FX4 shocks are very good, and the FX4 level 2 shocks are even better. If they fit your truck, I'd recommend those. You may be able to find similar ones that fit your 4x2.