Improving ride quality
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Campton
Improving ride quality
Hi guys! i wanted to ask i am going to be replace some parts on my truck to fix the sloopy steering and i was wondering what i should replace a couple parts with.
1st part is the steering gear box should i buy an aftermarket unit with a tighter steering ratio or go back with a stock unit the reason i ask is that my steering is really loose and i want a good tight and firm steering truck...Also on the 2nd part i am concernced about my suspension in the back whenever i have any load even a small load like less than 300lbs the bed starts to squat. does that mean i need new springs or shocks or both. I am hoping when the summer comes to have new wheels and tires my suspension rebuilt and a paint job... thanks for the help in advance.
1st part is the steering gear box should i buy an aftermarket unit with a tighter steering ratio or go back with a stock unit the reason i ask is that my steering is really loose and i want a good tight and firm steering truck...Also on the 2nd part i am concernced about my suspension in the back whenever i have any load even a small load like less than 300lbs the bed starts to squat. does that mean i need new springs or shocks or both. I am hoping when the summer comes to have new wheels and tires my suspension rebuilt and a paint job... thanks for the help in advance.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Texas
I went with a rebuilt stock steering box and it tightened up the steering almost to much. It doesnt like to self center real well so it kinda wonders. but you can loosen it up. I also did both the steering linkages, tie rod ends and ball joints.
The rear springs on these truck arnt real strong. They tend to be really flexy and bouncy. There is a couple things you can do, and they both cost about the same, you can replace the springs with new stronger springs. Or go with air springs, which is what i did. It does make the ride firmer, but not rough, and it helps stop rear sway if you air the bag up individually . And they will handle tons more weight then your truck can.
The rear springs on these truck arnt real strong. They tend to be really flexy and bouncy. There is a couple things you can do, and they both cost about the same, you can replace the springs with new stronger springs. Or go with air springs, which is what i did. It does make the ride firmer, but not rough, and it helps stop rear sway if you air the bag up individually . And they will handle tons more weight then your truck can.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
It doesn't take much weight to level out the rear end of these trucks, but that's because there isn't a lot of weight on them to begin with and the first few hundred pounds just settles the leafs down on the main load springs. As a result adding leafs to the main spring pack jacks the rear end up when unloaded so a better solution IMO are those overlaod leafs that bolt on above the stock leaf pack or airbags, both help maintain a level right height when loaded without affecting stock ride height or ride quality.
As for the steering go through the whole front end and replace all the joints, but just so ya know it will never be as tight as a newer car with hydraulic rack steering, there will always be about an inch of play in the steering wheel.
As for the steering go through the whole front end and replace all the joints, but just so ya know it will never be as tight as a newer car with hydraulic rack steering, there will always be about an inch of play in the steering wheel.
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