how to make my truck ride smoother?

[68c10owner]

I took a 150mile round trip in my 84 today. It rides like crap. How can I get it to ride smoother like my old 99 CK ex-cab? My 84 has stock suspension for now and I`m not sure about the shocks but they are about a year old. Any suggestions? I do have a 3/5 drop I wanted to install but I don`t know how that will effect the ride quality.

[James McClure]

Tony, you don't say if the 84 is FWD or not. If it's FWD there isn't much you can do except pad you seat better. 2WD you can change springs and get a softer ride that is close to late model but you'l never match it. A late model LWB rides like a car. Even the FWD models and thats all front suspension. There are no springs in the world that perform like torsion bars do. Thats why they use them on the M1A1 Abrams. Just get used to a truck that rides like a truck.

[N2TRUX]

Start with looking at your entire suspension. Does it need rebuilt? Are the bushing worn? What shocks do you have? What tires are you running?

If you have worn suspension components, too stiff a shock, or tired sagging springs it will have a negative impact. No matter what, it's still a truck but you can improve on quality if you focus on the problems and make improvements as needed.

[68c10owner]

It`s a 2wd truck. It could probably use a rebuild but the inner & outer tie rods, pitman arm, steering box and front shocks were replaced in Dcember of 2007 according to the paperwork I got from the PO. Steers great but it could probably use bushings and ball joints as well. I don`t know what shocks they used but I plan to get some dropped shocks when I lower it. The ride wasn`t too bad and I can live with it but I know it could be better. I just didn`t know if there were any tricks to make it ride smoother.

[silvereagle07]

SWB trucks ride stiff anyway but worn suspension components make it worse. If you plan on lowering the truck set aside some cash to rebuild the front suspension as well. There are several companies that offer complete rebuild kits that include all bushings,rod ends, ball joints...etc. I rebuilt the suspension on my old truck and it made a world of difference to me. When you lower the truck it will handle different anyway... lower center of gravity.

[Ds86C10]

mine always rides like a caddy with a good load in the bed

[lurch115]

you might try taking a look at the A-arm bushings and see if they are worn out....they usually make a big difference.

[78 Chevyrado]

you could ride around with about 1200lbs in the back. When ever I had about 1200 lbs in my old 77, that thing rode like a cadillac...lol

Another option is to check your cab mounts. if you do replace them, or any other bushing on the truck, use only rubber parts if you want a good ride.

[68c10owner]

Thanks guys. I`m going to save my pennys and replace the control arm bushings and the ball joints when I do the lowering kit. Thats the only thing that wasn`t replaced a year ago according to the paper work.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

air bag it.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by BLE 'BURBAN

air bag it.

Yeah but can`t afford it anytime soon.

[pokethesmot]

Originally Posted by 78 Chevyrado

you could ride around with about 1200lbs in the back. When ever I had about 1200 lbs in my old 77, that thing rode like a cadillac...lol

Another option is to check your cab mounts. if you do replace them, or any other bushing on the truck, use only rubber parts if you want a good ride.

i rode out to my brothers house with a couch in the back of mine and it rode just as nice as my car and normally i cant ride over a penny with out my truck shaking lol

[thefatguy]

I've been pondering this as well. My 78 Big 10 is just as rough as that Abrams tank. My favorite gear-head bar-stool advisor is telling me to replace all the suspension bushings with new polyurethane for starters, and then OEM rubber bushings for the cab.

Never having done any of that, I wonder how hard it is for a moron like me? A Saturday job? A weekend job? I haven't looked it up in the service manual yet, just wondering what the group's experience has been like.

[87c10slammer]

hell if its never been done.. bolts are seized and a pita to get off... i have recently ripped the whole suspension off my 87 c10 2wd.. i am bagging mine but when i did drive it i could feel a hair when i ran over it.. all the bushings where shot thoughout the whole truck including the cab mounts so there on the lsit as well

[silvereagle07]

Originally Posted by thefatguy

Never having done any of that, I wonder how hard it is for a moron like me? A Saturday job? A weekend job? I haven't looked it up in the service manual yet, just wondering what the group's experience has been like.

If you have never done suspension work or don't have the correct tools it can be a pain in the ass. You may have to heat the control arm bushings to get them out. I've had to burn some of the bushings out with the shop torch instead of pressing them out. Poly bushings have been known to make noise when flexing.

[andrewmp6]

Most add a couple 50lbs sand bags or they sell a big bag you put water on.These trucks where designed to ride smooth fully loaded empty they ride rough.

[thefatguy]

Most add a couple 50lbs sand bags

Hey I can do that on a Saturday, and have time left over for drinking beer and reading the internet.

[dammitmitchell]

anyone going to mention TIRE PRESURE?
heheh that was my issue