Velvet Ride Shackles

[GOakes]

Anybody know anything about Velvet-Ride shackles?



George Oakes

 

[Barry]

Yes

 

[GOakes]

Thanks, just what I wanted to know

 

[RobG]

I had some on my '96. Loved 'em. They weren't a night and day difference, but they DID smooth out a lot of the bumps.



I have a new set sitting on the shelf in the garage, because I'll have to remove my hitch receiver (Torklift Superhitch) before I can install them on my '01. 5. That isn't something I'm willing to do at this time.



And yet, the ride of the truck is getting really frustrating, it's so harsh. I'm trying to find out if Fleetco's air ride suspension will work on 4x4's. Their website (www.fleetcoproducts.com) only lists 2wd apps for the RAMs. Hmm.



Rob

 

[Barry]

Mfg. by BF Goodrich Corp out of Jacksonville, Fla. Originally targeted for the ambulance industry. Proved so successful, now marketed to the private sector. I have had 2 sets on 2 differant Ford diesels. They are fantastic. Cost is about(dealer) $125 plus ship. Last time I talked to her, they were just starting to do a deal with someone like AutoZone or one of the chains to do the selling and distribution. She still had a bunch of kits in her warehouse in Jax. at that time. What else do you want to know????

 

[Loren]

I put a set on my year 2000 truck when it was fairly new because with the overload springs the ride was terrible. The difference was barely noticable, but I wasn't about to go through what I had just done in order to remove them.



The theory is a good one, but in practice I haven't noticed much difference. I wouldn't do it again.



The shackles do "bottom out" occasionally, with a noise that is disconcerting, although not too loud. You don't get the idea that the suspension is falling apart, but you definitely know that the shackles hit their limit.



You won't be unhappy with them. You may find that they were not worth the money and the trouble of installing them.



Loren

 

[Cooker]

I have heard more negatives about these things than positives. Not too many guys I have spoke with said they were happy enough to purchase them again.



They also said the rear of the trucks started to sag over time becasue the shackels must have lost some tension. It seems logical, but I'm not sure if that is the case.



I was originally going to try a set of the BFG shackles, but decided on a trying a different product to smooth out the rear. I'm going to try a set of the Roadmaster Active Suspension. I have only heard of one or two guys who have installed these that said they wouldn't buy them again. Mine are awaiting install, I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by GOakes

Anybody know anything about Velvet-Ride shackles?

I have them and with the Ranchero RS 9000's the ride is MUCH better. I am going to do the Ranchero's on the front as well.

 

[vc]

RobG,

can you keep us posted on the Fleetguard set-up? How much are these systems anyways?

Thanks.

vc

 

[pnwradar]

I bought a set, and never put them on. I dented the bed side right afterwards, and while the body shop had the bed off, I installed Rancho 9000's -- not enough time to do the shackle swap. Running those and proper air pressure fixed the ride enough for me.



If someone makes me an offer, I'll dig them out of my projects box.



-jon-

 

[RobG]

I'll make a post when I get the info from Fleetco. Last I checked, the system was around $2k. Pricey, but heck if it eliminates the horrible bouncy-rough feeling from the rear end, it'll be worth it.



Rob

 

[NVR FNSH]

do a search for National Spring - somebody installed a set recently and it sounded like they made a huge improvement.



Brian

 

[RJRobb]

MorRyde

Let me through out MorRyde. Several RVer's I know use them and claim the results are excellent. Website price is $595. http://www.morryde.com/Pick-up RL.html