How to soften the ride?
 

My Dad who is in his 70's says he doesn't like the harsh ride of his 97 1500 SWB. He said it's mostly the rear.

I drove the truck and it is quite stiff in the back, and it sits high in the back. Is there easy way to remedy this?

Here is the truck.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595949

Re: How to soften the ride?
 

Easiest way to cure the ride is put weight in the back. Lowering it can be down with shackles, but you would still have stiff ride. If it is just a driver and not a hauler, you could probably remove a leaf or two to soften/lower the rear.

Re: How to soften the ride?
 

Thanks for the reply.

I went by my Dads house yesterday and looked at his truck, there are 4 leaf springs, I am guessing you would remove the second or third one?

The top one is the one that attaches to the frame and the bottom one looks like an overload spring.

Re: How to soften the ride?
 

Aftermarket leaf springs or weight in the rear. I pulled 3 of the 8 leafs in the rear of my 78 c10 when I was young and the ride didn't change at all. You'd have to remove the first, main spring to get a real change and then nothing would attatch so thats not doable. In my 98 I have helper bags in back. The more weight I put in the bed the more air pressure I put in the bags. The ride just keeps getting softer and softer. Its amazing how nice it rides fully loaded.

Re: How to soften the ride?
 

Who sells replacement leaf springs that are softer?

Re: How to soften the ride?
 

Airride is the answer! Although I've never been man enough to pull the trigger.

Re: How to soften the ride?
 

I doubt my 75 year old Dad will do that either.