Front suspension hitting real hard, ideas?

[David_VT]

Anyone have an idea why I am bottoming out my front suspension on a regular basis?? My roads have not changed that much. Should my stock shocks be wearing out at 35K??

Most of my travels are on dirt roads which are now getting the usual frost heaves due to the the winter.

Last winter I did not notice my front end banging at all. However, this winter I am noticing that I am getting full travel on the front end which is really hitting the front axle real hard quite often.

Last year I had #700 of sand bags out back, but this year I did not do it for safety reasons (sans Willys). Could this have changed the loading enough to make the front end hit so hard now??

I do not have any special suspension options from DC, and wonder where I should invest so that I don't destroy my front end.

I am real hard on the truck (field work,dirt roads and trails,etc) and wonder if I should go with double shocks and maybe bigger springs for the eventual front winch and denver bumper dreams...

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99' SB 4x4 : DDI's, HOT PE, SPA dual gauge, ESPAR, Line-X OTR, Ladder bars, AMSOIL, etc (GPS,Cell,CB,... . )
Green Monster

 

[BCFAST]

David, your shocks were about dead at 7000-10,000 miles! Whether it's shocks, Michelins, track bars or brake pads... the componenets installed at the factory are FAR-FAR inferrior to aftermarket parts. And this isnt just a DC thing. A manufacturer is saving a few cents per unit buy ordering cheaper-built parts and boosting profit margins. We had this discussion about tires a while back... new trucks come thru with Michilins... they are on the wear bars well before 20k miles!! Now, run down to the tire store, buy the exact same tire, and it will still look wonderful 60k miles later!! Do yourself a favor, go spend a couple hundred bucks, put on a set of Rancho 9000's and you wont believe you're even in the same truck!

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, Green, #12 plate slid all the way forward, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

[jqram35]

I would agree with you that most after market parts are far better, however I think you are wrong about tires, Goodyear in particular has far more "quality control" on the tires they provide to the big three then the ones you buy at a store. I have a good friend that works for an ambulance company and has been having alot of problems with tires out of round too many splices in the inner casing and various other defects. They contacted and had a big meeting with Goodyear and they admitted no one checks the tires before they leave the factory, costs too much money, it is up to the tire dealer. Furthermore all the tires that don't cut it for the big three go out to your local Goodyear tires sales places! BEWARE!!

PS. sorry to tread on your tread David_VT
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2001/3500(ETC/DGP)6X6/4. 10 LSD//K&N/MUFFLER & RESONATOR MISSING

[This message has been edited by JEFF QUADE (edited 02-04-2001). ]

 

[Turbo Thom]

I thought I had the same thing but it was the bottom bolt lose Quite now
Preston

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96 3500, Black SLT, 5 speed, turbo diesel, , with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , Mag-hytec rear cover, dual-remote by-pass filters, and Roadmaster Active system, AutoMeter Pyro & boost, Primeloc

 

[Neal Cassady]

My front suspension will hit the stops on even medium size speed bumps at a moderate speed. I have the 46/47 springs up front. Are there stiffer springs available? I only have 12K miles now, these things are really going to be soft by 50K.

Dave D

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2001. 5 QC LB 4x4 Auto 3. 54 Everything but Leather Bright Silver Metalic ARE K Series Diprocal EGT, Boost and transmission Temp in an Autometer Dash Pod Westin CPS Platinum Step Bars

 

[David_VT]

Slowing down is not a bad idea, however in this case I am driving at the same speeds but am getting bashed around real good.

I found some Bilsteins last night on the web that look interesting. I see most of you go for the Ranchos but a few really support the Bilsteins... .

 

[SMorneau]

The shocks on my 96 4x4 were definitely wasted when I changed them at 40k. Mostly empty freeway driving. New shocks are the biggest performance and SAFETY upgrade you will probably ever do. I like my four RS9000s.

 

[willyslover]

David RANCHO 9000's !!! ... way over do on your miles. . made huge difference on Ol' # 1 also Mark Kitchell had a link for a device called Timbren [I think. . I'll find my link and edit with it] for front end control on plow trucks. . I figured it would work great on my slot car in the hills

[This message has been edited by willyslover (edited 02-04-2001). ]

 

[QRTRHRS]

David,

I have 44k on Bilsteins. Like other members, I agree that they ride hard. The truck handles well and I don't feel that they have deteriorated at all. I have thought about going with Rancho's but need to check someone else's ride out first. I have put over 100k on Bilsteins on previous vehicles.

 

[LSMITH]

The factory shocks are garbage. I had the rears put on under warranty and less than 2 weeks later with no load having been on they were leaking. Buy some good shocks, that will help. Other than that, SLOW DOWN!

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[willyslover]

David
here is that link I was talking about. . I'm going to look into these. . you might want to also with that dirt road set up you have
http://timbren.com
also here is the link to the conversation about them https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum3/HTML/002315.html



[This message has been edited by willyslover (edited 02-05-2001). ]

 

[Wiredawg]

I changed my stock shocks to RS 9000s after only 15K miles. Love 'em. Nice to be able to change adjustment based upon load and driving conditions. Highly recommended!

Wiredawg #ad


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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch.