I need your help. Which shocks should I get?

[pwr2tow]

I like to keep my tires inflated to 80-85 PSI and that creates a rough ride. My truck sees more unloaded miles than towing miles.

It's not lifted and I use it for what it was designed for, highway use and towing.

I would like to change out my shocks to get a smoother ride. Is this do-able or is it a lost cause?

Which ones?

Thanks,
Windy <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

[VZarich]

Why the high tire pressure unloaded? You will see a better ride with lower air pressure and better tire wear. I am fairly sure that your tires are wearing in the center of the tread if you are driving around all the time unloaded with that kind of tire pressure. You will need to experiment with what pressure works best with your application. I would guess somewhere in the 45-60 psi range for everyday driving unloaded. Full pressure loaded with single rear wheels and the 5th wheel. It is my finding that the stock shocks are pretty soft. I upgraded my shocks to the Bilsteins for better control, which I accomplished to some degree over the stock shocks. I would not however say that the ride accomplished is softer. If you want a softer ride take the truck to a reputable spring shop, give them your operating perameters and ask for a recommendation. A softer set of springs for everyday driving with some airbags for additional load capacity when towing may be a viable option for you.

 

[wcjp]

On my 96' I went with Rancho 9k shocks. Unloaded I set them to level 3. Fully loaded front-7/rear-9. Best price I could find at the time was Sams Offroad.



Are all tires set to 80psi? I bet you would be fine with 65psi front/70psi rear. According to you you're towing, not hauling. Have you weighed your combination? Let's say the tire capacity per tire is 3300lbs. 3300/80=41. 25



41. 25lbs per 1psi. The front end likely weighs about 4500lbs regardless of trailer. 4500/2=2250. Each tire has 2250lbs. Using these numbers you'll need 54. 5psi for the front. Obviously, I'd go higher while towing. I think you're 80psi all around is too high.







Sam's Offroad Equipment-Your source for Warn Winch, Teraflex, Rancho, Service and Installation

 

[Dell (WA)]

Prw2tow... ..... hows yer kidneys??? geeze, 80psi, no wonder yer bouncin' down the road. It don't matter whether yer tires are 10-ply or 4-ply, skinny or wide, 16" or 22", INFLATE per LOAD. While yer engraved sidewall info specifies max pressure and max load, it don't mean ya gotta blower-up that hard, unless yer loaded that much. Gitt'chur truck WEIGHED each axle. Divide the axle weight by 2 and that is the total airpressure you need for that tire and load.

Fer example, my 2500 2WD, runnin' 265-16's, unloaded, I pressure the front tires 55psi and rear tires an amazing soft 35psi. But when I tow a 7500lb trailer, its 65psi front and rear. I got 100,000 miles off'n my last set of tires and tread wear was level across all.

As fer shocks, Bilstein's are "the" shock. But proper tire inflation is the key to comfortable ride... ..... Dell (WA)

 

[steved]

I doubt any shock is going to be able to dampen the ride from max-inflated tires...

I'm trying a set of KYB monotubes this go around (just ordered them from Summit Racing)... I have 100k on the SkyJacker Nitros and they have just recently started getting weak.

 

[ENafziger]

I'd go with some nice soft Lorenz IR front coils, Lorenz dual purpose replacement leafs, and 2. 25" shocks. This combo will give you an AWESOME street ride, with moderate off-roading comfort as well.

--Eric

 

[georgej]

Windy

If you're talking about your truck tire pressures you'll be fine using the numbers posted on the door frame when unloaded. When you hookup the 5er I would go to the maximum on the rear tires and bump up the fronts 10lb or so. If you're talking trailer tire pressure I use 75-80 psi on my 12500 5er.



George

 

[DPalmquist]

I read something on Koni making shocks for our trucks Diesel Power or TDR Magazine

 

[rluft]

Get a tire load/inflation chart for the tires you have. Get the rig weighed, each axle empty and usual tow load. Keep the tires at recommended pressures for best ride and longest wear. I run about 5 psi more than recommended and have a good ride and good tire wear (60 front 50 rear when empty).



As for shocks I like the Rancho 9000 adjustable.

 

[ewcmr2]

I read something on Koni making shocks for our trucks Diesel Power or TDR Magazine

Yep, in this months TDR. Koni FSD's work great in cars (I haven't driven a truck with them). Good ride AND good handling (usually you have to pick one)