2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Weight

[SGrooms]

I am sure this has been covered before, but has anyone taken plate steel or some other weight source and bolted it into the back of their pickup for a better ride?



I went out today and got some lumber to build railing around my back porch with new stairs, and that weight in the back made ALL the difference.



Any suggestions??

 

[moparguy]

I have about 500lbs of old railroad track fastened down in the bed of my truck, wifes has a 4'X8'X1/4" plate (320lbs) under the bed matt. Both ride much better with the weight.



Back in May we drove a short bed 4x4 12v from Arkansas to Virgina, I fastened the railroad iron down, lowered the rear tires to 50 psi, it rode great. Without the iron and reduced pressure, it was the worse riding passanger vehicle I think I've been in.



I think the best setup is plate steel under a bed mat. 4'x8'x1/2" is 640lbs.



Whatever you do, be sure to secure it so that in case of an accident, it won't wind up in the cab with you.



If you do a lot of stop and go city type driving, added weight could reduce you mpg. We don't do much of this type driving and I can't tell the weight hurts.



Good luck, RR

 

[Nate]

The only thing with the steel is the price. 1/2" 4x8 sheet is probably $500 or so.



I just priced some 11 guage sheetmetal, $115 a sheet.

 

[RustyJC]

Rancho 9000s set on the soft end of the settings (2 of 5 - older models) did it for my truck.



Rusty

 

[moparguy]

New steel is crazy expensive. If I were looking, I'd check out the salvage yards. Should be able to find plate for 1/2 (or less) the price of new.



Also, just keeping your eyes open will sometimes yeild unexpected sources. Just be sure to ask before loading up any finds.

 

[SGrooms]

I can access steel at some very competitive prices... I was just wondering what a good limit was.



I had someone tell me to be sure to secure it... the thought of that steel in the cab with me does make me go ouch!



I don't know that lowering the tire pressure on my load range E tires is all that good of an idea. I don't know if the hoopla surrounding the underinflation on the Exploders was all it was cracked up to be, but it seems that underinflating a tire is asking for trouble. Those tires are expensive enough without causing any premature failure.

 

[ttbird]

Do you have a metal scrape yard anywhere near you. They use 5 foot conveyor belts to move their material around and have to change the belt a couple of times a year. Get a 10 foot piece from them for almost nothing. Make a pattern and cut the mat to fit your truck exactly. . These mats are probably 3/4 to 1 inch thick and weight anywhere from 300 to 450 lbs. Have had one in my truck for almost 10 years and it's make the ride sweet even when empty. Plus stuff does not slide around in the back.

 

[SnoKing]

I can access steel at some very competitive prices... I was just wondering what a good limit was.



I had someone tell me to be sure to secure it... the thought of that steel in the cab with me does make me go ouch!



I don't know that lowering the tire pressure on my load range E tires is all that good of an idea. I don't know if the hoopla surrounding the underinflation on the Exploders was all it was cracked up to be, but it seems that underinflating a tire is asking for trouble. Those tires are expensive enough without causing any premature failure.

You are not under inflating the tires. You are setting them to the load. You should have gotten an inflation chart with the truck, or you can go to Michelin's WEB site. I run 44 in the rear empty and Rancho's on 1 of 5, and ride it good. I leave the front at 55-57 all the time. At 70 lbs in rear and Rancho's on 4 or 5 for towing the fiver, it will beat you to death when you unhook. When I stop for a short stay, I re-adjust the shocks and it helps.



BTW, the customer service rep at Michelin says that it is an old wife's tale that tires should be run at max sidewall rating!

SNOKING

 

[SGrooms]

You are not under inflating the tires. You are setting them to the load. You should have gotten an inflation chart with the truck, or you can go to Michelin's WEB site. I run 44 in the rear empty and Rancho's on 1 of 5, and ride it good. I leave the front at 55-57 all the time. At 70 lbs in rear and Rancho's on 4 or 5 for towing the fiver, it will beat you to death when you unhook. When I stop for a short stay, I re-adjust the shocks and it helps.



BTW, the customer service rep at Michelin says that it is an old wife's tale that tires should be run at max sidewall rating!

SNOKING

Ok... but after all that crap about the Exploders, you never know. That was the only reason I was questioning anything!