My truck rides like a truck! Anyone using "fast compression" rear shocks?

[Wiredawg]

I dont necessarily have a write up like that but personally run Thuren tuned shocks , https://www.thurenfabrication.com/p...onents/shocks/thuren-king-shock-packages.html , 5500s are not listed but can be custom made. Carli suspension also is known for shock tuning along with a few others. While shock brand like King or Fox is all good the tuning inside is what really matters.

WOW! That is a whole other world. I've see these on offroad racing trucks and extreme lifted trucks, but never realized they were for daily drivers or our trucks for towing. Pretty pricey too if you option them all the way out.

Not sure I'll try them, but happy to know about them.

Thanks for taking time to show me.

Cheers, Ron

 

[AH64ID]

Hitch wgt is about 2100#. Currently running Michelin LT265/70R17 E on my OEM Forged Aluminum wheels. Frt tires always @ 65psig; rears @ 55psig empty & 90psig hauling. Even 55psig 'round town ain't zactly smooth. When traveling & get un-hitched, even 90psig is just fine on good Florida roads, so I don't deflate the rears to 55psig for bumming around.

Sounds like too much air empty to me.

I'd run closer to 40-45 psi in the rears when empty, it makes a big difference. 55 psi is enough air for a 5200lb rear axle, which you likely don't have empty.

How much air in the airbags when empty?

At 316K miles I wonder if your OE springs are worn out and are allowing the upper overloads to contact when empty, which would also be very harsh.

 

[Ozymandias]

Chances are you actually need a shock with heavy rebound control as with stiff springs and air bags that is where the issue is, the air bags you have do increase spring rate and rebound forces alot reducing ride quality.

Tire pressure could be a factor too but cheap "adjustable" shocks dont work that great compared to a properly tuned 2.0 or better yet 2.5" shock. I would call a company that specializes in suspension on these trucks and find the best shock for your use, they are a bit more money but well worth it.

Since i installed the ping-tanks my trucks ride has improved so much it's unbelievable.
On of the best things i have done for ride quality so far, now the more pressure i have in the bags the more comfortable the ride is.

 

[Ozymandias]

If you have never ridden in a truck with shocks in the 2.5 - 3.0" diameter range and custom tuning, which most have not, then its hard to describe how much more controlled the chassis is, pretty impressive what can be done just in tuning.

Absolutely, just a question, do you sell or tune shocks as a business?
I'm asking because my my King/Fox combo needs an overhaul and a new custom tuning to match my actual weight/suspension setup.

 

[Bob4x4]

Absolutely, just a question, do you sell or tune shocks as a business?

Short answer,yes

 

[AEdelheit]

Absolutely, just a question, do you sell or tune shocks as a business?
I'm asking because my my King/Fox combo needs an overhaul and a new custom tuning to match my actual weight/suspension setup.

I do work for a company that does a lot of custom shock design and tuning but we are not sponsors on here and dont want to get into what brand or company is better then another as there are a few great options so try to stay very neutral on that.

 

[Ozymandias]

I do work for a company that does a lot of custom shock design and tuning but we are not sponsors on here and dont want to get into what brand or company is better then another as there are a few great options so try to stay very neutral on that.

I'm fine with that, PM me for the Contact information please.
I want someone to work on my truck that really knows he's business, i dont want to waste money.
And from the things you are writing i know you know your business.

 

[Ozymandias]

WOW! That is a whole other world. I've see these on offroad racing trucks and extreme lifted trucks, but never realized they were for daily drivers or our trucks for towing. Pretty pricey too if you option them all the way out.

Not sure I'll try them, but happy to know about them.

Thanks for taking time to show me.

Cheers, Ron

Best you can do for your ride and probably the last shocks you'll ever buy for that truck as they can be rebuilt if needed.

 

[EricViviano]

Contact Thuren Fabrication. They know everything there is to know about the suspension on these trucks, and what to do to accomplish your goals for ride quality/handling.

 

[DannyW]

I've been wondering about rear leaf shackles, and whether they're worth the money. Anyone have a good experience with installing Sulastic shackles?

 

[AEdelheit]

I've been wondering about rear leaf shackles, and whether they're worth the money. Anyone have a good experience with installing Sulastic shackles?

Rear leafs can make a massive difference but different brands ride different and truck use all come in to play. Sulastic shackles are cool but no comparison to a full replacement leaf pack.

 

[Regcabguy]

First thing I would do is swap the over load spring for a Carli mini-pack and see if that helps unloaded ride.

2nd thing would be taller tire with more sidewall but that will necessitate a wheel change to meet the rating needs for towing unless oyu keep 1 set for towing then swap to the others when running empty.

In the front a set of soft ride springs will make a big difference in ride quality.

I didn't get much relief from Carli minipaks. I'm about to have a custom leaf pack fabricated by North County Springs.
https://www.northcountyspring.com/photo_gallery#Next

 

[AEdelheit]

Ya I would say mini packs are a waste of time and money regardless of brand, you can cut the overload spring down to 14" overall and it will feel the same.

 

[KATOOM]

I'll just jump in this very technical discussion and heated debate to say that my Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks have been on my truck for 15 years and are impressive. I can adjust them soft when I'm not towing a huge trailer, and adjust them firm when I am. Then running the tires at about half max psi when unloaded, my ride is surprisingly smooth compared to other pickup's I've ridden in.

 

[Regcabguy]

I had 9000's and could never find a happy medium. Either it had insufficient damping or beat you to death on the freeway down here on the stiffer setting.
Bouncing around in Mexico they'd overheat and turn to mush

 

[AEdelheit]

I didn't get much relief from Carli minipaks. I'm about to have a custom leaf pack fabricated by North County Springs.
https://www.northcountyspring.com/photo_gallery#Next

Make sure they heat treat after arching, if they use pre heat treated steel then try to arch the leafs they will sag.

 

[KATOOM]

I had 9000's and could never find a happy medium. Either it had insufficient damping or beat you to death on the freeway down here on the stiffer setting.
Bouncing around in Mexico they'd overheat and turn to mush

I cant comment on why yours never worked for you but up here in Northern CA, the roads suck so bad that there's a saying that you cant get from one end of town to the other without needing an alignment. So those Rancho 9000's on my truck have seen their fair share of rough roads. Maybe quality changed over time...

 

[AH64ID]

I'll just jump in this very technical discussion and heated debate to say that my Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks have been on my truck for 15 years and are impressive. I can adjust them soft when I'm not towing a huge trailer, and adjust them firm when I am. Then running the tires at about half max psi when unloaded, my ride is surprisingly smooth compared to other pickup's I've ridden in.

I've ran 9000's on 4 rigs thinking they were great, until I ran something else. I won't touch a Rancho shock ever again, over hyped and under performing.

 

[KATOOM]

I've ran 9000's on 4 rigs thinking they were great, until I ran something else. I won't touch a Rancho shock ever again, over hyped and under performing.

Again, it may be I was just lucky but I've ran other brands as well and I will sing the praises of these 10 year old 9000's. They work great. In defense...maybe the brand sucks now. Cant say other than I like what I have.

 

[AH64ID]

Again, it may be I was just lucky but I've ran other brands as well and I will sing the praises of these 10 year old 9000's. They work great. In defense...maybe the brand sucks now. Cant say other than I like what I have.

I haven't ran them in 15 years, so no clue on what they are now.

Dad and I ran them from mid 90's thru 2002ish.