rough ride

[Dale]

I have a 1992 , D250 Is there anyway I can smooth out the ride as far as suspension, shocks, springs etc: I do alot of highway driving.

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Hi Dale;



There are lots of aftermarket products out there you use to soften the suspension. You can start with the tires and work your way to leaf springs or air suspension type systems. This will cost you!! However, having said that I just want to let you know you got what used to be called a real truck! It was built to do real work and get the job done. After 1993 the trucks went to thiner metals in the body and Dodge tried to soften the suspension and it worked, except the newer trucks don't seem to have the capacity to do that "real work" like ours can. In other words if you soften the ride you will comprimise the ability of your truck. It's your choice. As far as I know, Ya can't have it all in one vehicle.

 

[paccool]

Dale,



I asked this same question a few weeks back. There are a couple of things that helped my truck, might also help yours. For starters I had Bilstein shocks installed, took these off and put on some Monroe Gas Matics (NAPA brand). This helped take out some of the "harshness". I then tried lowering the tire pressure at the suggestion of several other members. This also helped. Was in the tire shop today and asked the guy about this and he said of course drop the pressure unless hauling a load. Said to go to 50-55 LBS. . Next thing is to go with some new tires and see what this does.



I have the 5K air bags on the rear and this makes things a little rougher riding as well.



The rough ride is just one of the "perks" of owning a first gen truck.

 

[wrk2mtch]

If you think the 2wd's are bad you should try a 4X4! I have a friend with a 2001 2500QC 4X4 and he always comments on how bad the ride is when he's in my truck.

 

[Lil' Dog]

I noticed that with the winter weight in the box ('bout 800# of cement blocks) it rides alot smoother. Seems to get the springs partially loaded and takes out the jarring of the small bumps. Like the other guys say, tire pressure helps.

 

[JTCHess]

At the risk of sounding like a real wise a$$. If the ride of your truck is too harsh, buy a car. I cannot believe the number of members whining about the ride of their "truck". Heck, what did you expect? Sure my truck rides harsh when unloaded but then again I didn't expect it to ride like a car, it's a truck for gosh sakes, but it sure does the job as designed for hauling around a 4,000 pound camper. OK, you rhinestone cowboys, flame away.



John

 

[NOMOFO]

Ditto what ReoRaider said. Throw on an Elkhorn 11Z and the ride will soften. Of course a whole new adventure begins. I actually beefed things up for this. Don't mean to be wisea$$ either but in this arena there is no compromise. These things were built to work. Good luck to you.

 

[fastmark]

You can do what I did. I have a Koenig tool bed and a Tommy Lift on the back. That adds plenty of weight. The bad thing is, everyone trys to hire you to unstop their John!

 

[Lil' Dog]

As for the space concern, the blocks I use are the 2ft square sidewalk blocks. You can still load whatever on them and they don't rot in the sun.



Trucks that ride like trucks eh. . . Well after 2 hours of driving everyday a little softer ride unloaded saves my back. I think anyone that actually drives more than 20 miles a day will agree with me. BTW The roads around here aren't exactly made of glass either, Its not the turnpike.



J

 

[dasyure]

I'm working on the ride on mine right now, first thing I did was take three of the five leaves out of the front springs that let the axel set a littel to close to the frame so I added firestone air bags with 40psi in them it dosen't put your head though the roof when you hit a bump anymore and rides as good if not better than a car I have rancho shocks on order that should help more. with the cumins on the front axel I didn't notice any real differance with less air press in the front tires I still run 80 and its quite nice. also if you have lets say 4 3/4" leaves if you leave the main leaf in remove the rest and replace them with the thinest leaves you can find (like 3- 1/4" = 1- 3/4") they will suport the weight but take the harshness of ride out. I used the air bags because they a the least harsh support you can get.

Of course this is just my opinion.

Sean

 

[Rockcrusher]

that's why they are called "Teddy Roosevelt" trucks.

"Last of the Rough Riders".

 

[jsimpson]

When I don't have a heavy (over 1250 lbs) load to haul, I use my Toyota Tundra. It rides like a Park Avenue and performs and handles like a Vette. But it's secondary purpose is to be a truck. When I have a load to haul, I use the Dodge. It's PRIMARY purpose is to be a truck.

 

[Scot]

Well Dale,

No flames from me. I feel your pain. I just got out of the hospital Tuesday after going to the ER to have thrombosed and almost gangrenous hemahroids removed.



I found that with the junk I haul around (~500 lbs) in the bed and running 45 lbs rear and 65 lbs front, the ride is not bad.



Good luck!

 

[CEE]

Dale,



I have a ‘91 ¾ ton 4x4 and a couple years back I replaced the original springs, front and back with a set from Skyjacker. I went with the 0”-2” lift and softride springs in the rear. The truck will not carry the load it used to and is softer around corners——but this proved to be an appropriate trade-off. Coffee is no longer suicide, my wife and dogs no longer have to be lashed down and a chronic stiff neck actually vanished within several days of installing the softer suspension. I can understand the reluctance to go softer, especially with workhorse trucks like these, but it really was big comfort improvement for the streets and highways here in Los Angeles and was a major performance improvement for the dirt and desert roads. In the interests of tweaking however, next time I think I’ll ask Skyjacker if they could add an extra leaf to the front, or, perhaps go with the 2”-4” lift package--just a little more mustard please.

 

[JFitzgerald]

I guess it's all relative. To me, my new (new to me) Dodge rides better than what I had - an '84 Chevy short bed 4WD which I converted to a 3/4 ton and lifted with a 4" Skyjacker Softride system. The much longer wheelbase alone has to be a big part of it. Then there's the weight of the Cummins. I like trucks and I like trucks that are tough and capable, so I am willing to put up with a "rough" ride.

 

[SnoKing]

I always referred to my 93 as a brick truck. That is it would haul a sh! t load of them. I had the HD spring package with over and under loads on the back. I always let air out of the back tires when not required.



How does the new 2001. 5 ride?