Ride quality stinks

[beaterC10]

I need some suggestions to improve the ride quality of my dropped shortbed.

I have 3" Belltech spindles on the front with stock springs and shocks, and 1 1/4" factory sway bar. The rear has a DJM flipkit with shock extenders, Doetch Tech shocks, and stock springs.

The front suspension has been rebuilt and aligned in the last 6 months. I installed Engergy Suspension bushings in the front and rear.

The ride is stiff and gets annoying on rough sections of interstate. I was wondering about removing the shock extenders and re-installing the drop shocks. Any suggestions?

[gldevall]

What size tires are you running? But from my experience anytime you lower something it is going to be a stiff ride.

[bigd65]

I am thinking mine is stiff from the cheap @$$b shocks that AUTOZONE sells. I need some good ones. I am thinking about going to the dealership and getting some shocks, Anybody got any suggestions. Mine aint even lowered , only 2 in shakles in rear, but i do have the complete PROTHAYNE kit

[beaterC10]

I've owned the truck for about five years. It has always had a choppy ride, but I assumed it was because of the light rear end and short wheel base. I put the drop kit on and rebuilt the suspension in the last six months.

I drove it awhile with the spindles, poly bushings rebuilt front suspension, and big sway bar and the ride wasn't bad. It was only after putting the poly bushings, flip kit and new shocks on the back that the ride seemed to get real stiff.

I'm running 255/70/15 on the back and 225/60/15 on the front. I've kicked around removing the shock extenders and running the drop shocks or leave the extenders on and putting stock gas shocks on the back.

I assume a C-notch would be needed if I go back to stock shocks.

[Prerunner1982]

on the back did you cut off the bump stops or is the rear axle riding on them? that would do it.

[swervin ervin]

Polyurethane bushings for sure will stiffen up the ride. They don't have the give to them that stock rubber does. It's according to what you are wanting. A nice stiff suspension is great for handling but sucks for ride quality.

It's like I said many times, everything you do to increase traction and handling on these things, the worse the ride gets.

I'm getting old I guess. I'm to the point of getting tired of it myself. I'm thinking about going back to rubber myself. I'm also thinking about buying some quiet mufflers. I'm also about tired of all the noise. I know quiet mufflers will restrict the exhaust some, but somewhere there is a fine line between quiet and performance. Loud mufflers are nice when you are young, but it get's real irritating when you get older.

[bagged78]

Originally posted by Prerunner1982
on the back did you cut off the bump stops or is the rear axle riding on them? that would do it.

That's what I was going to ask.. Also check all of your clearances, if your bump stops are in, they could be hitting, and if you removed the rear stops, make sure the bump stop bracket, has ben removed, or not hitting the rear end..
Try that and it still rides like dookie, make sure that your shocks are not bottoming out ... have fun

[bigd65]

Originally posted by swervin ervin
I'm getting old I guess. I'm to the point of getting tired of it myself. I'm thinking about going back to rubber myself. I'm also thinking about buying some quiet mufflers. I'm also about tired of all the noise. I know quiet mufflers will restrict the exhaust some, but somewhere there is a fine line between quiet and performance. Loud mufflers are nice when you are young, but it get's real irritating when you get older.

A M E N !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike I am totally with you

[Lynx]

can you just remove the bumper stops altogether or should you make them smaller so that when you do hit a really big bump you dont hit the axle?