Looking for a smoother ride

[bassman]

I have 85,000 miles on my truck now (99). I am looking at replacing the shocks to smooth out the ride. Any suggestions? I was going to talk to Les Schwab on my next tire change (90K).

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1999 2500, Quad Cab, 4x4, auto, 3. 54 gears, long bed, and all the goodies. White and driftwood.

 

[WOWZY]

I don't know exactly what type of "Ride your after, but I went with a leveling kit from Skyjacker (replacement coils) to eliminate the bucking that i was getting driving down US29. The Stock soft front springs versus the stiff rear springs was causing the bucking effect and now it rides better.
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'99 2500HD Quad Cab 4x4, Intense Blue Pearlcoat, Fully loaded w/Agate leather interior, 5-speed, 4. 10 Limited Slip, Skyjacker Leveling kit, Heckethorn Nitro 9000 shocks w/dual End to End steering stabilizers, 35x12. 50x16. 5 BFG/AT KO's on 9. 75x16. 5 Eagle 589 Aluminum Wheels, 9004 Cool Blue's, Silencer Ring removed, Fog Lights relay pulled, No muffler, No resonator, 4" straight pipe, Northwest Customs Stainless Steel Rocker Panels, Steel Horse Stainless Steel Nerf Bars, K&N Filter,Custom POWEREDGE W/HOT Programs 60/80/100+HP, Grover Air Horns, Autometer Ultra-Lite Gauges.

 

[LSMITH]

bassman, I just put two Rancho 9000's on the back of mine Friday and they made a big difference. I am really happy with them. I need to find the time this week to get the new ones put on the front now. I have 60K on mine and the second set of OEM shocks were shot, so you are more than due for some new ones. I can get new OEM shock under warranty but they are not worth it, I would rather pay for aftermarket shocks than have that garbage on my truck again.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[DBCooper]

Wowzy, with the Skyjackers, did you notice your front axle out of wack? Mine is about 1. 25" to the left of center of the truck. I expected a little bit, but not that much! I have plans of lengthening my brand new track bar soon to fix it. Just wanted to know if it's normal to see them move that much with just to 2 inch lift.

 

[ramfan2]

Originally posted by bassman:
I have 85,000 miles on my truck now (99). I am looking at replacing the shocks to smooth out the ride. Any suggestions? I was going to talk to Les Schwab on my next tire change (90K).

Let me tell you about my experience with Les Schwab shocks. I removed the OEM shocks and put on a set of the Schwab Mountain Riders. I had a set of them on a Suburban, and liked them. After about a week, I heard a noise coming from the front right. I went back and they checked them and said the front right was bad. They put on a new set and after a week or two, same thing. Then the shock guy said that I needed the Commercial Mountain Riders shocks, not the LT version. New set and same problem about a two weeks later. After much discussion with the manager, he and an assistant worked on it. This was the fourth time they had been out and about two months of knocking every time I hit anything bigger than a pebble. They figured out that the nylon bushing of the Mountain Riders didn't seat right at the top of the tower. After a while it would start to knock against the side. Seems they have replaced them before on others, but had never figured out what was wrong.

To keep this long story short, I went with a set of Rancho 5000. (They paid the difference in price for my troubles) Not a problem since. I'm very satisfied with them and would recommend them.

Good Luck!
Chris



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1998. 5 4x4 Laramie SLT 2500 Quad Cab, AT, LB. Loaded except
leather. Black with grey interior. Infinity sound system with cd. Matching Totem canopy, bed liner, diamomd plate rails and tail gate. Carr steps. Y2k driving lights. K&N air filter. Magna Flow muffler. Monster chrome tip. Auto Meter Sports Comp boost and exhaust temp on a-pillar. T. C. & V. B. next, then..... ??????


1998 27ft Nash Trailer. 6K, no problem!

Member NAWCC

 

[WOWZY]

Originally posted by DBCooper:
Wowzy, with the Skyjackers, did you notice your front axle out of wack? Mine is about 1. 25" to the left of center of the truck. I expected a little bit, but not that much! I have plans of lengthening my brand new track bar soon to fix it. Just wanted to know if it's normal to see them move that much with just to 2 inch lift.

I would definately say something is wrong if it moved yours that much! I'm no geometry expert but I'd say that the movement shouldn't be any more than 1/32" if that much with a leveling kit and considering the angle and how long the track bar is. Hell even the trailing arms, being as short as they are didn't move the center of the front axle but 1/16" towards the rear. I did measure that when I had the lift installed. I might get time today to measure the rightward offset. I'll post my results.

 

[Archive]

DBCooper, I have the Skyjacker leveling kit on my 2001. I also had it on my '95, the front axle will be approx. 1/2" off center.
On my 2001. 5 I ordered the DT custom trac bar and was able to adjust my front end back to center. E-mail me as I just live nearby. Would be more than happy to help out of fellow Rattler.


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2001 RAM H. O. 6Sp 2500 SLT 4x4 Quad Cab, 4Wheel Disc, 4. 10 Limited Slip, Fog Lights, Muffler removed, Silence Ring Gone, Autometer Pro Comp 60# Boost & Pyro, Banks High Ram (Red), Cummins Red Valve Cover, K&N RE-0880, Skyjacker 2. 5 lift Class 2, 7218 Dual steering stabilizers, Custom Pro Fab Trackbar (sweet), EGR Flares (nice fit), Centerline Comet III 16x9. 5 with 305/70R16, Smittybuilt stainless nurf bars, ExTang BlackMax tonno, THIS IS NOT A HOBBY, THIS IS AN ADDICTION !!! MAINLINING DIESEL !!!

 

[24V-DSL]

DBCooper.....

I'm sure there's a "story" for your handle, but if it has anything to do with what I think it does, don't forget the FBI never closes a case. It's bad enough having this site "monitored" by DC and busting our warranties... ... #ad




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White 2001. 5 2500 ST, SWB, 4X4,QC, AUTO, 4. 10's, LSD, 285/75/16 On Weld Outbacks, PIAA 510's, Line-x, Tinted glass, Redline 85+, Blow-by-bye, RE-0880 & 25-0880,muffler fell off,level truck with 2" tuff country kit, Bilsteins at the corners, Di Pricol egt and boost, Mag-hytec "original flavor" transmission pan and Dana 70 diff. cover, Westin Step Bars, Custom Plate 24V-DSL