Suspension travel

[Damon23]

I finally was able to get the truck out today after putting the spindles and shackles on it. I drove well but I noticed that the front end is bouncy. I was on a road and went over a little bridge and got the normal bump up and drop down and the tires scrubbed on the fenders. It has a 2.5 drop on the front 2.0 in the rear. Nothing drastic. I'm running 275/60/15's with 15x10 tires up front. I dont know the backspacing, maybe 4 in. Anyway, I got home and bounced the truck with my knee and was able to hit the tire with the inside lip of the fender. It has the stock springs still installed. I was wondering if it could be the shocks. What do you all think?

[jimmydean]

If you are running 40+ year old springs, I would guess they have lost a little "spring" to them. Shocks will keep you from continuing to bounce, but the spring rate of the springs might be your biggest issue.

[wraprail]

How old are the shocks?
Chances are if you can't answer that question it's time to replace.
Go with the best you can afford.
At the min. use a quality gass pressure shock.
I would start there and see how it is .

[vegadesign]

old springs and shocks

shocks would make a world of a difference

[Mike Bradbury]

Shocks merely control the rebound of the spring, if the truck bounces more than once after you compress the spring then it is time for new shocks. If with your knee you are able to make contact with the fender then there are several things to consider. Even with better springs, if the path of the suspension travel is interrupted by the fender I would consider a thinner wheel/tire combo. The truck weighs a hell of a lot more than you, and when you go over a dip in the road at speed you could suffer some damage to the tire or your fender. If it is just hitting the inner fender only, you could get different inner fenders that allow for better travel.

[leddzepp]

I think your front wheels (15x10) are too wide for the drop you have. You either need a narrower wheel, or a wheel with more backspacing or your tires will continue to rub going over bumps and what not. Shocks will not correct the issue. Your other alternative is raising the front end back up (no!!!!!)

[Damon23]

Thanks for the replies. I was told by the PO that the shocks were new. But he said it had new ball joints as well and they were new at one point but not when I bought it. I'm going to install new shocks and I was lucky enough to pick up a set of 17x8 soft 8 wheels cheap at summit. Kind of miffed cause I just replaced one of the 275/60/15's a couple weeks ago and they are not cheap anymore. The 17x8 has 4.5in of backspace so I think I'll run a spacer in the rear but that should tuck the wheel in a little more in the front. The corvette rally wheels now are 4in I believe. It looks really cool with those wheels/tires but just not functional. Thanks again for the replies.