Chevy suspension

kokopelli2 · Sep 22, 2004

boondox
remember that shocks are not going to change the suspension. they will change the rebound rate, but not add strength. for that you need to add heavier springs and shocks or suspension adds. i just added timbriens (sp) i got them for plowing and hauling with my 04' 2500hd. when i need new shocks i will probably get somethings more heavy duty to speed things up.

oh the timbriens were pretty cheap 143 front or back.

MarkV · Sep 22, 2004

If you are happy with the ride except when hauling you might look into air bags like Egon mentioned. A friend of mine with a Silverado 2500 4x4 has gone on an extended trip with too big of slide in camper. When he came to visit one of our local shops installed some heavy duty air bags for about $400 and it made a huge difference in the stability of the truck with the camper on. The advantage is that with out the camper he can let out some air in the bags and has his normal ride quality. The air bags looked to be a fairly easy install which would have saved $150.

MarkV

Boondox · Sep 22, 2004

Am I happy with the ride? Not really, but judging from the squeaks and the rocking horse ride that has more to do with worn shocks than the manufacturer. I've driven Chevys before and like the ride when the suspension is in good shape. It's just that since the shocks are shot anyway, if there's a replacement out there better than OEM why not go for it?

The truck actually handles most anything I've put in the bed pretty well. A little sag with a bed full of rock maple, but that's a LOT of heavy wood in an 8' bed! The front end will soon have a snowplow attached, however, and that's one reason I'm thinking a beefier shock would be in order when I swap them out. I'm also looking at adding timbrens; sounds like a cheap and easy mod to make.

All you Dodge vs Ford vs Chevy guys. Argh! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I had a Dodge Dakota. Loved it. And I still have a 1957 Dodge truck that provides plenty of fun. But every used full sized Dodge I was interested in buying had either severe rust issues, tranny problems, or problems in the front end. Fords? I owned one once and it was the most miserably unreliable vehicle I've ever owned. Not saying modern Fords aren't better, but when I take a beating like that from any company they lost my business forever. And my Chevy is a nice, basic truck that meets my needs, handles well, and is easy to work on. Plus parts are available everywhere here in New England. So that's why I bought it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Pete

RobertN · Sep 22, 2004

Check out Rancho RS9000 adjustable shocks. I put them on my previous truck(Ford F250 4x4). When I ran empty to partially loaded, I set them soft. When I ran heavy, like with the camper on, I ran them stiffer. I always ran the front shocks a little softer than the backs for ride quality; each shock can be independantly set.

They have a knob on them. They had nine(9) settings. The only thing about them was you had to reach in the wheel-well to each shock and turn the knob. They have a more expensive set that could be electronically controlled right from the dash.

Check out www.gorancho.com

The current truck is 3 years old, and the shocks are good. When they wear though, it will probably get the Rancho setup.

Bird · Sep 22, 2004

( Fords? I owned one once and it was the most miserably unreliable vehicle I've ever owned)

Me, too.

( when I take a beating like that from any company they lost my business forever )

I thought the same thing, but instead of "forever", after 25 years I gave them another chance. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif So for the past 13 years I've been happy with them. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

JATO_RaT · Sep 22, 2004

I've had trying times with all the manufactuers swearing to never buy or work on another one of their products. I still do.

Nasty135 · Sep 23, 2004

I'm with you junkman,A little overkill but it is ssssssooo, KEWL! AArrgghh AArrgghh /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have a GMC sierra 1500 4x4 and tows great ride is fine a little hard to stop with or without trailer in tow, pedal pressure is more than I like but I guess I could step up to larger rotors.
Tires can make a big difference in ride and handling also,my old goodyear AT's were hard as rocks & new michelins LTX ride is /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif