2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission rough ride ( I know, just read!)

[paulsmith]

I have owned a 1996 350 2wd for 3 years and love it! But it has 300K on it, so I bought a new one. In fact bought another 96 Identical to my other one but like new (2wd xcab dually, low miles)

Problem is it rides BAD. My old truck I love, my new truck has not moved in three weeks! The new truck is a one owner, and he was anal about this truck, I mean it is like new! My new truck has new RS500 Rancho shocks all around, and air lift air springs on the back. It rides nothing like my old truck! I mean it has a fiberglass topper, and the rear window fell out on the way home, the top is cracking all over, the actual bed sides are cracking, the bottom of the bed has cracked so bad the tail gate broke trying to keep the bed sides from flopping around!, and the plastic rear fenders are cracking! This baby is one ROUGH RIDE



Now, I am faced with a delimia, is it those RS 5000 shocks, or the air bags? It is 2 inches away from the overload stops, so thats not it. I have pulled the air hose off the air bags, and it did not help, so do I pull the new Rancho shocks?



Paul Smith

www.turbovan.com

 

[John - K5AWO]

Make the dually softer in the back

Are the air bags mounted between the axles and the frames? If so, then all they will accomplish is to increase the load capacity.



To soften the ride, here is what my spring shop has told me to do. Just haven't done it yet.



Bottom spring, flip it over.



Overload stack, take it off. You got the air bags, that's all you need actually. A 1 ton SRW doesn't have that overload stack, so we don't need it either. My son's 1 ton SRW rides sooo much better than my truck. Do the below items will make us equals.



Remove the 2nd leaf down from the top on the main leaf set.



Install Rancho adjustable shocks. They told me either RS5000 or RS9000. Adjust them up hard when you got a load on, all the way to the soft end when empty. Best of both worlds.



Here is what they explained to me. The 2" clearance we have is not enough. When the dual tires hit a high spot, they jump up and strike the upload stack which is what gives it that "kick in the arse" bone jarring spine cruncher.



They also said that we should feel a very measurable increase in comfort. Especially since I (and sounds like you) will run our trucks empty most of the time.



When we need to carry a heavy load, air up the bags until it comes back to the normal height.



Also, they said to remove the bottom 2" spacer and put the springs back down on the axles. That will level out the truck and make it easier to get the groceries out of the back.



At 62, I am not as spry as I used to be. I can still jump up on the hitch and swing over into the bed, but 20 times in one day?? No can do. (to paraphrase a macho stud attitude)



I plan on doing just the above here this next weekend.



John

 

[Chipstien]

Originally posted by paulsmith

I mean it has a fiberglass topper, and the rear window fell out on the way home, the top is cracking all over, the actual bed sides are cracking, the bottom of the bed has cracked so bad the tail gate broke trying to keep the bed sides from flopping around!, and the plastic rear fenders are cracking!

Is this sarcasm.....

 

[paulsmith]

Re: Re: rough ride ( I know, just read!)

Originally posted by Chipstien

Is this sarcasm.....

No, it is the honest truth! I currently have a come-along inside the bed, pulling the two bed sides together, squeezing against the tail gate, to keep everything tight and rigid until I can get this fixed. I have a replacement bed, but will ot put it on until I get this fixed!



I own two identical trucks, and am happy with the stock ride I get from my 300,000 mile truck, but the new one with the ranchos and air bags is SOLID.



Are the RS5000 shocks adjustable?



I deliver trailers with this truck, so every trip will be pulling a trailer exacty 1/2 of the trip... .



Paul smith

 

[Chipstien]

No the 5000's are not adjustable. If the truck is that bad why did you buy it? You made it sound like it was in mint condition.

 

[paulsmith]

Originally posted by Chipstien

No the 5000's are not adjustable. If the truck is that bad why did you buy it? You made it sound like it was in mint condition.

Bought it over the internet, (Ebay #2478657287 see for yourself)and it does look perfect, but in the first month of me driving it, it has started to fall apart. I have follwed this truck on the interstate, and the rear of the truck will bounce as much as six inches on the expansion joints on I-355 in Chicago!





At first I just thought it was the HD suspesion parts the previous owner installed, making it "extra heavy duty" but in reality, I think it is tearing apart the truck. I thought "I" could handle the harsh ride, but it is just too stiff, the truck cant take it. The orginal owner has never owned another truck, so likly did not know any different, and upon close inspection, I can see several patch repairs that have been made to the bed sides, tail gate and topper in the past. The owner was trying to keep the truck in top condition, but failed to relize the stiff ride was causing the damage. May be why he sold the truck.....



I still think I got a good deal, just need to work this one thing out.



Paul Smith

 

[Chipstien]

Something is very wrong if it is doing this to the truck. If it were mine I would start by taking the air bags COMPLETELY off. Check if the rear leafs have helpers installed. Maybe even pull a rear shock and see what it feels like. Maybe he got a set of shocks that were set up with the wrong valving. Is the suspension completely bottoming and bouncing off the rubber stops. If you have a digital camera I would take some pics of the rear leafs and post them on TDR. Someone with a 3500 might be able to tell if there is a stacking problem by looking at it. Whatever the case, there is something really wrong.

 

[John - K5AWO]

There is a possiblity that the rear springs have been heat treated by an after market spring shop changing the spring rate.



I would suggest you find a good spring shop and go for a visit. They have the experience to fix it right.

 

[mikel]

Another possible contributing factor may be the tires. My '96 3500 says on the door that it is supposed to have load range "D" tires on it. I just bought tires about 2 months ago and didn't know any better at the time so when the store installed load range "E" tires I didn't think anything of it. The load range E tires made the truck ride quite a bit stiffer, so much so that I noticed the difference and went looking for the cause. The only thing I had changed on the truck was the tires, so that's how I figured it out.



I'm stuck with the new tires now, but I'll guarantee you that when it's time for these to be replaced I'm going back with the correct load range D's.



Just a thought, hope you get it figured out.



Mike

 

[paulsmith]

AIR BAGS



This morning I Got out my new Air Impact (IR Titanium!) and Broke loose the spring pack u-bolts, lifted the rear of the truck, and pulled the air bags. Now it rides almost like my other 96, just a "little more stiff" (I guess those big ass Rancho shocks, or stiffer tires)



It appears that when installed, the bags where almost fully compressed when the air pressure was low (like 5psi) and they where hitting, I mean it was like I said, almost ridgid! The overloads where still one inch away from the stops, and the bag was fully compressed with no more travel. It was impossible for my overload springs to EVER make contact with the stops!



This is a Belltech air spring system. Air bags sits on top of the overload spring, just to the rear of the axle u-bolts. A "angle" bracket is bolted to the side of the frame for the bag to push against. Looks like the angle bracket was installed too low.



As for tire pressure, load range etc. That is a good point. This new truck has 215/85R16 tires with Load range E and D mixed. I run 235/85-R16 Load range E tires on my old truck, a much taller tire with more side wall...



Paul Smith

www.turbovan.net

 

[Chipstien]

Glad you found the prob. That was the most logical problem since that was the only thing not stock. (Other than shocks but it is rare that they would make a ride that stiff) It is very possible that the bags won't hold any air now from constantly bottoming out. If they do then I would put them back on but do it PROPERLY.



I wonder if the original owner had them installed or did it himself. If he had them done then that shows you why NO ONE works on my truck other then me or someone I know and trust. Hopefully the damage is not as bad as it sounds.

 

[DOverton]

Originally posted by paulsmith

AIR BAGS



This morning I Got out my new Air Impact (IR Titanium!) and Broke loose the spring pack u-bolts, lifted the rear of the truck, and pulled the air bags. Now it rides almost like my other 96, just a "little more stiff" (I guess those big ass Rancho shocks, or stiffer tires)



It appears that when installed, the bags where almost fully compressed when the air pressure was low (like 5psi) and they where hitting, I mean it was like I said, almost ridgid! The overloads where still one inch away from the stops, and the bag was fully compressed with no more travel. It was impossible for my overload springs to EVER make contact with the stops!



This is a Belltech air spring system. Air bags sits on top of the overload spring, just to the rear of the axle u-bolts. A "angle" bracket is bolted to the side of the frame for the bag to push against. Looks like the angle bracket was installed too low.



As for tire pressure, load range etc. That is a good point. This new truck has 215/85R16 tires with Load range E and D mixed. I run 235/85-R16 Load range E tires on my old truck, a much taller tire with more side wall...



Paul Smith

www.turbovan.net

The way I understand, Is that the overload springs are to be removed before installing the airbags system. Since they were stilled installed that would explain the rough ride.

Dallas

 

[John - K5AWO]

Yep, don't leave the overloads on and have air bags too. But obviously you found the real problem with the air bag mounts positioned incorrectly.



Got you a good truck now, huh?