How to soften the ride?

[slow-1]

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

[Palf70Step]

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.

[slow-1]

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.

[Tom]

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.

[slow-1]

Who sells replacement leaf springs that are softer?

[UKNOWME]

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

[slow-1]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

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

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