Shocks and springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Nima · 06-01-2005, 04:14 PM

Hi everybody:
If I want to soften my c20 ride a little, what kind of shocks and spring do you suggest? I don't want to convert to C10 totally, I just want a better ride. I have shock and coil spring on the front, shock, spring and 1/2 leaf on the back. If you can give me some part numbers, that would be great. By the way, I like to keep the current hight of my truck the same. It is not lifted or anything, I think it is just factory with bigger tires. Thanks

Nima · 06-01-2005, 11:57 PM

huummm!!

Nima · 06-02-2005, 04:07 PM

Wow!, Nobody?!

Nima · 06-03-2005, 12:00 AM

Am I on my own on this one? Or maybe I offended some one here!

Dick Dale · 06-03-2005, 12:54 AM

Its a 3/4 ton. Its going to ride rough. Put some good smooth riding shocks on it from the local parts store and it should do fine. It will always ride rough, it a big truck.

Nima · 06-03-2005, 10:49 AM

Thanks for writting back. Well, I know it is C20 and has though ride but I thought since I am going to replace the whole front end and switch to disc brake, at the same time replace the shock/spring with something which could give me better ride. Thanks anyway.

Don Meyer · 06-03-2005, 08:53 PM

Use a latter model 1/2 ton front end complete w/disc brakes.

Ogier · 06-03-2005, 09:43 PM

Mine is a 69 and it rides really nice.

CHeck your air pressure in the tires. I would be willing to bet that you have it maxed out.

Drop about 10 pounds from the max pressure and it will do wonders for the ride. Perhaps sometime I should do a tech article on how to properly inflate tires.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 06-03-2005, 11:11 PM

If you're going to replace the shocks, don't use the gas charged shocks. They ride rough as hell. Just use stock replacements and it should ride fine. Does your truck have rear coil springs? Mine does and it rides awesome, even on the rough county roads.

Green Machine · 06-03-2005, 11:49 PM

I believe that front and rear coil springs interchange between 1/2 and 3/4. Might try some 1/2 ton springs front and rear. If your're banging into the rear helper springs, try removing them if you don't load it heavy often.

Nima · 06-04-2005, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert1970C20rstbukt

If you're going to replace the shocks, don't use the gas charged shocks. They ride rough as hell. Just use stock replacements and it should ride fine. Does your truck have rear coil springs? Mine does and it rides awesome, even on the rough county roads.

Yes, I do have coil spring on the rear and gas shocks all around. I also have helper leafs on the back.
About my tire pressure, they are at least 10 psi lower that highest recommendation but still ride rough.

Huck · 06-04-2005, 07:50 AM

There are some basic principals at work here. Check the tires --what size, how many belts on the sidewall, etc. Some brands are really stiff like Michelin. If they are old, they also get real stiff (like people). If truly truck tires, they are heavy and stiff so no matter what springs, shocks you get, it will let you know when you hit mouse poo. Also if they are oversize they will ride harder then stock size. My Blazer/trucks call for 235x75R15 but I run 33" biggies and the ride is much harder but it does look cool!!
I run about 32lbs of pressure on tires unless I am hauling. That works fine. A 3/4 ton has much heavier rear axel assembly so you are dealing with that when it comes to springs and shocks. You can put in 1/2 ton coils out back which will help. Another solution is to put about 500lbs of brick in the bed--amazing what a little weight will do to smooth out a ride!! hehehehe

06-01-2005, 04:14 PM	#1
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	Shocks and springs Hi everybody: If I want to soften my c20 ride a little, what kind of shocks and spring do you suggest? I don't want to convert to C10 totally, I just want a better ride. I have shock and coil spring on the front, shock, spring and 1/2 leaf on the back. If you can give me some part numbers, that would be great. By the way, I like to keep the current hight of my truck the same. It is not lifted or anything, I think it is just factory with bigger tires. Thanks

06-03-2005, 12:54 AM	#5
Dick Dale Excelsior, You Fathead. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Valparaiso, In Posts: 937	Its a 3/4 ton. Its going to ride rough. Put some good smooth riding shocks on it from the local parts store and it should do fine. It will always ride rough, it a big truck. __________________ Go Navy. The Sea Is Ours. Budget 350 Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...38#post2264638

06-03-2005, 09:43 PM	#8
Ogier Chopper/Painter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Medford, Or. Posts: 284	Mine is a 69 and it rides really nice. CHeck your air pressure in the tires. I would be willing to bet that you have it maxed out. Drop about 10 pounds from the max pressure and it will do wonders for the ride. Perhaps sometime I should do a tech article on how to properly inflate tires. __________________ With regards, Ogier 1969 Chevrolet C20 - Resto-Custom started!!!

06-03-2005, 11:11 PM	#9
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	If you're going to replace the shocks, don't use the gas charged shocks. They ride rough as hell. Just use stock replacements and it should ride fine. Does your truck have rear coil springs? Mine does and it rides awesome, even on the rough county roads. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

06-03-2005, 11:49 PM	#10
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	I believe that front and rear coil springs interchange between 1/2 and 3/4. Might try some 1/2 ton springs front and rear. If your're banging into the rear helper springs, try removing them if you don't load it heavy often. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

06-01-2005, 11:57 PM	#2
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	huummm!!

06-02-2005, 04:07 PM	#3
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	Wow!, Nobody?!

06-03-2005, 12:00 AM	#4
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	Am I on my own on this one? Or maybe I offended some one here!

06-03-2005, 10:49 AM	#6
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	Thanks for writting back. Well, I know it is C20 and has though ride but I thought since I am going to replace the whole front end and switch to disc brake, at the same time replace the shock/spring with something which could give me better ride. Thanks anyway.

06-03-2005, 08:53 PM	#7
Don Meyer Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: St cloud, Florida Posts: 61	Use a latter model 1/2 ton front end complete w/disc brakes.

06-04-2005, 07:50 AM	#12
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	There are some basic principals at work here. Check the tires --what size, how many belts on the sidewall, etc. Some brands are really stiff like Michelin. If they are old, they also get real stiff (like people). If truly truck tires, they are heavy and stiff so no matter what springs, shocks you get, it will let you know when you hit mouse poo. Also if they are oversize they will ride harder then stock size. My Blazer/trucks call for 235x75R15 but I run 33" biggies and the ride is much harder but it does look cool!! I run about 32lbs of pressure on tires unless I am hauling. That works fine. A 3/4 ton has much heavier rear axel assembly so you are dealing with that when it comes to springs and shocks. You can put in 1/2 ton coils out back which will help. Another solution is to put about 500lbs of brick in the bed--amazing what a little weight will do to smooth out a ride!! hehehehe



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