2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How can I improve ride on 4wd?

[turboost]

The ride is just to bouncy/stiff. Any bump in the road puts the back end around to the front. What can be done for a smoother ride? Truck has 194k. Thanks for any help

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

So, quad cab / regular cab, short box / long box???? Tires??? I have the 2 inch over front coils and Bilstien shocks and my one ton rides pretty good, it has a sure footed feel to it! oh, and I have 255/85 BFG MT's

 

[Joe Mc]

As Tim indicated, it's good that we have as much information available about your ride so we can better help. If you have original shocks that would be a good place to start. Most folks here like the Bilstiens, I had Monroes on mine when I bought it and they were OK but, the Bilstiens are much better. My opinion this is a place to start.

 

[BigEasy]

mine rides like a caddy... when there's a 7500# trailer on the back

 

[PorterS]

Rancho 9000x shocks and remove the overloads... that is if you don't tow heavy

 

[turboost]

I forgot I don't have a sig.



Its a QC, 2500, SB, 17" wheels and tires from a 3rd gen. I don't tow heavy or often so I'm up for anything. I run tire pressure at 60# in front and 45# in back.

 

[GiesJ]

What's your budget??

Ranchos or Bilsteins ~$XXX

Kore (and similiar) $X,XXX (more like 3,500 xs)

 

[DPellegrin]

Put sandbags in the back I put 5 70 pounds bags in the back of my truck what a difference.

 

[moparguy]

Without spending money for a new suspension, the answer has been posted. Good shocks, Ranchos or Bilsteins, drop about 500lbs in the bed behind the axel and air the tires down to 45 lbs or so. Then if you need to pull or haul a load, remove the weight air the tires up and in the meantime, enjoy the ride.



A 1" steel plate 3'x4' weighs 480lbs. secure it with bolts infront of the tailgate and it'll ride much better.



And of course as mentioned above, if you do add weight, be sure to secure it so that in an accident, it dosen't wind up against your cap or hat doing 60 mph. Not good.



Added on edit; make that a 1" THICK plate.

 

[wcjp]

I had a nice increase in ride when I installed Rancho 9000's on my 96'. Empty I ran them at position #3. Towing was 7front/9rear. Tire pressure on my 96' when empty was 55lbs front/53lbs rear.

 

[DBazley]

My 1997 4x4, 2500 long bed, club cab I think rides super. Firm, but not harsh.



Details:



2" Rancho front lift w Rancho 9000's (9 way front 5 ways on rear)

Poly front sway bar bushings

Firestone Air Lift rear air bags - 30 psi / 100 psi - unloaded / loaded



19. 5 Michelin XDC 22 tires - 110 for towing, 80-90 unloaded



I think that's about it on anything that affects ride. I don't have factory overloads - and the ride is very nice, but I can tow up to 24,000 and the ride is still nice.



Shocks at # 4 front, & # 3 rear (empty) or

# 7 or 8 front, # 5 rear (towing heavy)



19. 5's - contrary to popular mis conception - don't make the ride harsh, they make it firm, but the larger radius ignores the smaller bumps that upset the stock 16" tires, you control firmness by air pressure.



By changing the Rancho shock settings and varying the airbag pressure & tire pressure - you can dial in any characteristics you want or need.



Good luck, David B.

 

[Nate]

Sell it and buy a 1/2 ton.

 

[Joe Mc]

Sell it and buy a 1/2 ton.

Now Nate that wasn't very help full :-laf :-laf

 

[Nate]

:-laf



To be honest, I am driving my friend's 01 Ram 1500 while he in on vacation since the tags on my truck expired. It rides alot better than my 2500. I do notice it has more body roll though.



I think the best way to smooth out the ride of the 2500 is to put some weight in the back. Part of the reason I'm looking at building this aux fuel tank is for that. I figure 40 gallons is 320lbs, plus another 75-100lbs for the tank. That should help.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Its a QC, 2500, SB, 17" wheels and tires from a 3rd gen. I don't tow heavy or often so I'm up for anything. I run tire pressure at 60# in front and 45# in back.

When I had my 93 3/4 ton 4x4, I put in the skyjacker add a leafs and went to 255/85 load range D mud terrains at the same time. I think the softer tires made the biggest difference.

 

[JBAndersen]

Anybody that have tried air bag setup for front axle?

 

[SGrooms]

I had a Goodyear airbag system on a 2000 V-10. The nicest thing about it was the adjustability... lots of air for towing, softened it up for cruising. I just have not had the chance to put that same or similar system on my 01 Cummins.



Probably pretty pricey... my V-10 came with it. But it sure do make a difference!!

 

[Allnew2Me]

I had the same complaint about the ride in my truck. After going with the Bilstiens it did ride a lot better but having weight in the back really is the only thing that takes the bounce out. I think we just have too much spring for an empty truck. Lower tire pressure helps also but be careful not to underinflate. I run mine at the factory suggestion of 45 front and 40 rear empty and it is better than another 5 pounds all around. My experience is that the bounce is only in the back. If i drive over a concrete control joint freeway I can see in the mirror the back moving up and down and the front is without that bounce, we have weight up there.

 

[MKline]

I would have to agree with alot of other posts saying to add some weight. Mine rode like a 1/2 ton when I had my welder, torch tanks, and about 500# of tools in the back.

 

[turboost]

So are you saying that for this reason its alright to pick up fat chicks?