Oh, my back.....

[Billy]

OK, I know it's a truck, but.............the ride is killing me. I own and drive a big truck for a living and I drive local so it's not like a big open smooth road and it rides better, I wonder about a air ride seat or small shocks somehow mounted on the chassis? I have let air out of the tires, that seems to help. Anyone know of anything I can do to soften the ride, mods, tricks, install something, anything? Thanks as always!! 2003 3500 5.9 Diesel

 

[AH64ID]

What pressure are you running?

Level kit?

Shocks?

 

[SnoKing]

Rancho adjustable shocks might help. I set my rears down for bobtailing! SNOKING

 

[Tuesdak]

Replace the worn out seat cushion in the bottom of the driver's seat. Makes a big difference.

 

[AH64ID]

I am guessing its a pickup and not a C&C?

SNO, have you tried other shocks on your Dodge as well? I only ask as my experiances with RS9000's was disapointing at best, on several rigs and different weights, loads, suspension styles, etc. They where not even close to as good of shock as the Bilstiens are, but I gave up on Racho before trying them on my Dodge. Additionally I had good luck with RS5000's, just not the 9000's.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Rancho adjustable shocks might help. I set my rears down for bobtailing! SNOKING

X2 I put a set of the adjustable Rancos on the 99 3500 I had and it was a great help in smoothing out the ride empty and also made for better ride while towing. The stock shocks are just too stiff for running empty. bg

 

[Bob4x4]

It's all about the springs#1 and shocks #2.the springs and shocks need to be for the weight you run

 

[MMeier]

Throw some sacks of sand in the bed !!

 

[Regcabguy]

Bob4x4's accurate.
If you're going to keep the truck let Carli or Thuren provide some springs and dialed in shock dampening for your application.

 

[Ozymandias]

check out National Seats, there is an airride seat already available for your truck, p-n-p solution and not to expensive.

Ozy

 

[Billy]

OK, thanks for all the input, I'm running LT285/75R17, they call for 80 PSI, I'm running 50 PSI, I will look into all the suggestions, I have to do something. As far as the new seat cushion, the ride has been like that since I got it brand new.
It is a pick up. I don't tow anything, I'm sure if I did it would be helpful in the ride, maybe good excuse to buy something........LOL

 

[AH64ID]

Having a max rating of 80 and calling for 80 are two very different things.

Are they the 3195 or 3970 lb rated version of 285/75R17?

 

[lpennock]

Are they the 3195 or 3970 lb rated version of 285/75R17?

Probably doesn't really matter, Both Load Range E models are rated the same up 65psi. The 3195 rated version just stops getting a higher rating once you exceed 65psi (which is the same rating as the Load Range D version). Don't you just love derating by legislation?

35psi on the rear should be enough Unloaded. That is a 2200 lb rating and at least on my QCLB I only way ~3200 or about 1600 per tire.

 

[Billy]

They are 3195.
What do you mean when you say max rating and calling for are two different things?
I checked on the air ride seats, way out of my range, I can get a seat for my big truck for that cost. I have to do something, I love that truck but I wouldn't take it on a long trip unless I had a driving partner, it really does kill my back, it seems there is a space between my lower back and the back of the seat no matter how I adjust it, I have a round pillow in there now, it helps but no cigar..............................

 

[Billy]

Anyone know of a electrical steps for that truck, I'm not talking about running boards, I'm talking about the ones you see on campers, I can modify it to work, just can't seem to find anything. I have around 18" to 23"s to work with

 

[AH64ID]

Probably doesn't really matter, Both Load Range E models are rated the same up 65psi. The 3195 rated version just stops getting a higher rating once you exceed 65psi (which is the same rating as the Load Range D version). Don't you just love derating by legislation?

35psi on the rear should be enough Unloaded. That is a 2200 lb rating and at least on my QCLB I only way ~3200 or about 1600 per tire.

So looking at the new Toyo chart they have done a number on the larger tires.

I really hate this new system of limiting 17's to 3195.

http://toyotires.com/sites/default/files/page-files/LoadInflation_Table_P-LT_102913.pdf

They are 3195.
What do you mean when you say max rating and calling for are two different things?
I checked on the air ride seats, way out of my range, I can get a seat for my big truck for that cost. I have to do something, I love that truck but I wouldn't take it on a long trip unless I had a driving partner, it really does kill my back, it seems there is a space between my lower back and the back of the seat no matter how I adjust it, I have a round pillow in there now, it helps but no cigar..............................

The tires are rated to hold 3195@80psi max. That doesn't mean they need 80 psi to hold any weight. The pressure should be adjusted to match the weight of the axle, plus a few psi for stability/temps at interstate speeds.

So lets assume you have a truck that weighs around 3200 on the rear axle. (500lbs more than the OE curb weight of a QC LB 4x4 NV5600). That would be 1600lbs per tire. If you look at the 285/70R17 in the link I posted above you will see that you do not even need 35 psi to support the weight. I would run them at 40 if you drive above 60 for any period of time.

 

[lpennock]

Anyone know of a electrical steps for that truck, I'm not talking about running boards, I'm talking about the ones you see on campers, I can modify it to work, just can't seem to find anything. I have around 18" to 23"s to work with

Would this work or do you need more?

http://www.amp-research.com/products/truckaccessories/powerstep/

 

[lpennock]

So looking at the new Toyo chart they have done a number on the larger tires.

I really hate this new system of limiting 17's to 3195.

http://toyotires.com/sites/default/files/page-files/LoadInflation_Table_P-LT_102913.pdf

Totally agree. That is why I went to 18" so I could know the actual weight rating rather than some bogus TRA rating.

 

[AH64ID]

It is also why I went 19.5".

 

[Ozymandias]

I still think an airseat would ne best for the TOs Back.

A once and for all solution.