2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Freeway control-joint bounce!

[Allnew2Me]

I love everything about my truck with two exceptions. The first being the steering squeek I just posted about and the second being that bounce you feel when driving on concrete freeways over the control joints. I gets tiring after a while. I think it is due to the high unsprung weight of our front axles but was wondering in anyone had any luck changing shock absorbers. I drive usually empty and have considered adding a little weight in the bed, all I have is a shell now back there. Is there anything that would reduce this, short of putting the truck on air-ride suspension? It isn't really that bad but I would love to reduce it to a less annoying level. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Fred Swanson]

One word. KORE

 

[Allnew2Me]

Two words... ... ... ..... how much?

 

[Fred Swanson]

Check here:

http://www.desertracingconcepts.com



or here:

http://www.koreperformance.com

 

[Allnew2Me]

Thanks for the link Fred. I have no doubt that the Kore system would be an improvement over the stock suspension, but was hoping for suggestions that would start simple and work up to that. Short of replacing springs and such, isn't there anything what would reduce, even if it didn't totally eliminate, the bounce?

 

[Van Blom]

Maybe put 600 pounds of sand bags in the bed

 

[AMink]

Don't run those tires at the sidewall pressure if you're empty. I run my 255's at about 50 front, 40 rear and did before I got my KORE. They are rated at 65. Otherwise, it's like driving a basketball!

 

[Fred Swanson]

At least get some Bilsteins on there then. You need something to control rebound dampning. At some weight to the bed, lower tire pressures. Empty, if you run Load Range E tires, do 40-45 front, 30-35 rear.



All this depends on your driving style too. Work with the suggestions given here.

 

[tgbol]

Go faster mine smooths out at 70. 55 -65 will beat you to death

 

[RGuzzo]

tgbol,check your steering stabilizers mine did do what you said just about the same speeds. One was completely shot . Did the trick for me on a 97 4x4 dually. Now I can save some fuel by not doing 75 all the time.

 

[Lordsman]

Kore?

I put on Rancho 5000 5-way shocks and #4 all around helps a lot with concrete highways. Seems the lighter settings allow the springs to travel too much and a bouncing you go. Oo. Still get some hop though.

I'd like to know if the KORE Pace system would be good for me. I like to load a 3500 lb. slide-in camper on my rig and go into the mountains to hunt and fish here in the Rocky Mountains. Other than that the truck is usually empty, and the ride is an issue(bad). Can the KORE PACE handle the bed weight of the camper and mountain backroads? Or will the KORE CHASE system work?

Oh by the way I also have Airlift 5000 bags on right now-Do I need these with the KORE for the camper weight?

 

[Allnew2Me]

Van blom, I did actually consider adding weight to my bed, but it seems that most of the bounce is in the front end, unsprung weight kind of thing. Speed does affect the intensity, yes, I have found that it is a harmonic based on joint spacing and speed. But those things don't affect other cars like they do our trucks so I assume it is more an issue of our suspension. As far as tire pressure is concerned I totally agree. My tires are 265 load range E and there is no way that I could put 80 pounds in them and have them not bounce all over the road, not to mention wearing them out in the centers. I have gone back and forth with various pressures, I am at 50 in the front and 45 in the back at the momentand that seems to be close. I will try lower pressures as Fred suggests and see if that helps, but again, I think it is more a matter of suspension geometry rather than pressure. I also wonder if caster has anything to do with it. I Had mine adjusted due to a pull and it is now 3. 7 both sides. I know that is at the upper limit but I wanted to see how it felt. I think the first thing I will do is put some good shocks on and see how that works. This is the first solid axle 4x4 I have owned and some of it may just be me not used to this suspension, but I find it hard to believe that it can't be made to ride better than it is. Thanks for all the suggestions guys.