Looking to tame my 3/4 ton 4x4-ride better

[hotio12]

Just bought an 1985 4x4 K2500 pickup w 400 ci V8 rebulit 40,000 miles ago. TH400 auto trans. Truck rides pretty rough, plus when going 55 mpg it feels like i'm in 2nd gear, looking for solutions how truck can be made to ride better at 55+ mph. Change rear end maybe ? it may be a 4:10 gear ratio in back. Help

[ghettoluxury]

With a TH400 it will always feel like it's in 2nd gear at 55+. Sure a set of 3:42's will help out a little but then it will feel like it has no power. As far as a softer ride the only thing I can think of is to remove a couple leafs or go with 1/2 ton springs.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

My 87 K20 rides rough too, I am thinking of replacing the shocks, but there isnt much more to do, its a heavy sprung 4 corner leaf truck, its the nature of the beast. 4.10s are crazy, I have 3.42s in my truck and wish I had 3.08s. Change your tranny to an O'D or do a gear swap.

[LONGHAIR]

"Roughness" at highway speed probably has more to do with tires than suspension. You didn't say what type or size you have....

Gear ratio is very dependand upon tire size to, but in a 4x4 changing them is rather expensive....plus the down-side of losing off-road capability if you go to a higher gear.
In terms of both economics and performance, you would be far better off with a swap to an overdrive transmission. A 700r4 would get you gains on both ends, a lower ratio first gear and lower RPM at highway speed.

[hotio12]

All good suggestions fellas. Thank you very much. I am not much of a mechanic, and tweeking this "beast" is a long term project. My reason for buying the truck is mainly to get into work when the snowdrifts require more beef then a 2wd can handle. I will be hauling smaller loads,but nothing serious, so a gear swap to overdrive transmission looks like a good option for me. And take a leaf spring out of the bed to soften the ride a bit. The seller also told me putting 500 pound in the back will make the truck ride better too. Of course gas mileage will be worse too. Thank you one and all.

[old Rusty C10]

the weight will help. I made a frame around the wheel wells basically 2X 8s across the bed in front and behind the rear wheels with ones going long ways between them against the wheel wells helf together by 4" screws and then id throw a bunch of sand bags in there to keep em from shifting

[Mike C]

Good shocks correctly valved help, but Velvet ride shackles make a big difference, but expensive if anybody still makes them. Lift it up and put 36 or 38 inch tires on it to lower RPM's the least expensive way. But that opens up a whole other can of worms.

[D O C]

what length springs are in the back?i had stock 52's and put 56" (6" lift )springs on my 1/2 ton it rode better and it could handle heavier loads and it never suffered saggy butt
you could put 56" stockers in,you have to move the rear perches back