2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Best way to a soft ride on the freeway?

[nwilliams98]

Hi everyone,



I really need to smoothen out my truck for freeway use before our road trips this summer. I don't want to have to take the Civic to make the wife happy.



I've done a bunch of searches and basically came across some consistent themes for ride improvement.



Bilsteins seem to be the most popular upgrade? Anyone think there is a better solution (Ranchos maybe)?



What about velvet shackles?



Right now I'm thinking of trying the bilsteins and then add the velvet shackles if it is not enough of an improvement.



Any suggestions?



Thanks,

Nathan

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Rancho RS9000's set on #1 or #2 all around. The truck will not handle that well but will ride real soft.

 

[moparguy]

My vote is Rancho's with the rear on 1 and the front on 2. This is assuming you're running empty, no camper or extra weight in the bed.



Take the tire pressure down to 35 to 40 in the rear and 55 in the front.



Again, if you're not running empty, the above dosen't apply.

And remember, take all advise with a grain of salt. But this is what works for me when I'm not carring any substantial weight.

 

[johnjackson]

my guess. The guys recomending ranchos have probably not run bilsteins. Do a search on shocks. If your willing to do a couple hours of reading I'm sure you will come to the correct conculsion. Enough said on shocks. Next thing that effects quality of ride is tires. BFG's are very round, very quite. Not so great on wet pavement. Bridgestone REVO's are extremely round and quiet and do they ever stick to the road, wet or dry.



my 2 cemts



john

 

[rholcom2]

Load a pallet of shingles in the back. That should smooth out the ride!!!

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Agreed, weight in the bed helps the ride. A spray in liner like Rhino protects the bed, adds weight, adds a couple hundred resale value in the blue book. I cut a 4x8 sheet of 1-1/8" flooring plywood into 1' wide strips and painted it. It doubles as shims to level the trailer. An in-bed fuel tank adds more weight.

 

[johnjackson]

Forgot to mention that I have an in-bed fuel tank\toolbox. A rubber mat on the floor. Side tool boxes full of tools. A cab high fiberglass shell and air springs to hold all of the above up. The mat(or spray in liner) and shell seem to quiet the truck also.



John

 

[nwilliams98]

Ranchos vs. Bilsteins

Thanks for all of the responses.



After doing some furthur research: it appears that most people that have tried both Ranchos and Bilsteins prefer the Bilsteins. Anyone disagree with this summary?



Thanks,

Nathan

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I have run both. I have Bilsteins on now. If you want a real soft ride the Rancho's are the way to go. The Bilsteins are not even close to a Rancho on #1 for softness.

 

[dflack]

not sarcasm

Nathan, that comment about the shingles was right on - I've done roadtrips with and without weight in the back, and I'm tellin' ya, my wife definitely is happier when there's weight in the back. Load it up with all the stuff that wouldn't fit in the Honda! Let her pack everything she wants, for once.



Note: not responsible for your sore back, or extra tips to the luggage valet!

 

[jrandol]

Go for Air Ride Suspension! Theres a company out there with the name Kendelmann I think?? They make Air Ride Kits for our truck.



Jeff

 

[tgbol]

Just drive faster and then you will just hit the high spots

 

[Dheadington]

better ride

Go for the air ride by Kelderman doesn't even feel like same truck . Takes all those sharp jolts out of ride and the more weight you add the smother it gets . Have had mine about 6 months and would do it again if I get another truck.

 

[LSMITH]

Traction bars, Rancho shocks set to 3 front and 1 rear, and 500 pounds back near the tailgate that is tied down good.

 

[johnjackson]

LSMITH



Just curious. What do traction bars do for the ride?

 

[tgbol]

One of the problems with leaf springs is when the springs flex the axle will rock a little for and aft. Causing spring wrap. This really magnified on a 4x4 beacuse of the riser blocks. The addition of a traction bar will eliminate the for and aft movement, but allow the axle to move up and down. Eliminating the spring wrap.

 

[RustyJC]

On our 4x2, Ranchos set at 3 front/2 rear make all the difference in the world in the ride when empty - the thing rides like a Lincoln, but without the constant front end bouncing experienced with the stock shocks. When towing our 13,500 lb 5ver, settings of 4 front/5 rear stop all the uncontrolled bouncing front and rear we had with the stock shocks.



Rusty

 

[Pit Bull]

Nathan I have the solution for your problem. It is true that the more weight in the bed the smoother the ride. I would suggest you make your wife ride in the bed of the truck. It will improve your drive by adding weight to the bed and you won't have to hear her ***** about your truck.

 

[nwilliams98]

Very funny Pitbull LOL,



I'll give it some thought but (fortunately) she doesn't weigh much.



It seems the consensus is to go with Ranchos for the ultra soft ride. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.



Any other opinions on shocks?



Thanks,

Nathan

 

[LSMITH]

John, tgbol nailed it on the traction bar benefits.