Better ride ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69Rumbler · 02-25-2014, 11:43 PM

I got a 69 c20 with leaf springs .. I'm looking to get a better smoother ride what are some thing that be done? I replaced the shocks and I'm going to do the leaf springs next .
Thanks !

Sicklajoie · 02-25-2014, 11:53 PM

It's an expensive upgrade, but I've got Michelin tires. The soft sidewalls make for a better ride.
You're kind of stuck with a leaf spring truck. Coil spring setups do ride better. Leaf spring trucks ride like trucks... lol

**leddzepp** · 02-26-2014, 12:07 AM

Throw a few bags of concrete in the back, it will ride a lot smoother.

GASoline71 · 02-26-2014, 12:25 AM

Or just get used to it... It's an old truck. They weren't made to "ride nice."

Gary

69Rumbler · 02-26-2014, 12:32 AM

Yea that was my thinking it's a 69 it should ride like one haha

**special-K** · 02-26-2014, 11:39 AM

I'd leave as is and have a great truck that can haul anything. While beboppin' around do as Scott said and toss a few bags of sand across the back of the bed. You might need the sand sometime and you'll hook up better on those light to light drag races (or slight grade in loose gravel

69Rumbler · 02-26-2014, 11:41 AM

I had some one offer me a set of tailing arms ? Any thoughts

Sicklajoie · 02-26-2014, 11:42 AM

The crossmember is different for trailing arms vs. leaf springs.

69Rumbler · 02-26-2014, 11:44 AM

Sounds like it would be a pain , I'm sticking with leaf just going to get some new leafs with a 3" drop

Sicklajoie · 02-26-2014, 12:23 PM

A 3" drop?? Why would you do that??

69Rumbler · 02-26-2014, 12:39 PM

To level it out .. Not trying to drop it just want it sitting straight

Sicklajoie · 02-26-2014, 01:03 PM

That seems like a lot, I think mine has an 1" or 1.5" rake.

67 chevelle · 02-26-2014, 02:57 PM

sway bars , change all the bushings in the front sway bar , if you do not have a rear sway bar , install one , your handling , corning , and all around drive ability will DRASTICALLY improve .

67 chevelle · 02-26-2014, 04:05 PM

Also changing to a newer , quicker ratio steering box , will greatly improve road feel , make sure it is centered correctly , they are tighter in the centered position , for about 3/4 turns each way , the one I used was a 78 model year

69Rumbler · 02-26-2014, 06:02 PM

That will be next thing I do change the bushings of my sway bars thanks

'68 Newtricks · 02-27-2014, 08:06 PM

Opps

'68 Newtricks · 02-27-2014, 08:14 PM

I wasn't sure if I should clutter up the thread with my offer on the trailing arms, but yes that was me. I'm local and I offered a running long bed chassis from the firewall back, with Eaton axle. Figured if he had everything, it's just a bolt on ordeal. (Except removing rivets, but at least he only has to remove the bed) Was only asking scrap value (~$100 I guess) since I'm just looking to get it off my lawn. Heck, you can have the bed with it. It's has pretty nice fenders too, though inside is crap.

I'm swapping everything over to a short bed frame that's been sandblasted blah blah blah. Rather see someone use it than it go to China.

02-25-2014, 11:43 PM	#1
69Rumbler Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 903	Better ride ?? I got a 69 c20 with leaf springs .. I'm looking to get a better smoother ride what are some thing that be done? I replaced the shocks and I'm going to do the leaf springs next . Thanks ! __________________ 1969 C20 CUSTOM "RUMBLEr"

02-25-2014, 11:53 PM	#2
Sicklajoie The Niner Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Broad Brook, CT Posts: 2,499	Re: Better ride ?? It's an expensive upgrade, but I've got Michelin tires. The soft sidewalls make for a better ride. You're kind of stuck with a leaf spring truck. Coil spring setups do ride better. Leaf spring trucks ride like trucks... lol __________________ "A good racer is one whose head is in communication with his balls." - Richie Evans 1970 C/20 - 402/TH400/3.54s - 74K miles 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 - Wheatland Yellow Niner Progression Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=697183 Classic Trucks article: https://www.motortrend.com/features/...et-c20-driven/

02-26-2014, 12:07 AM	#3
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,031	Re: Better ride ?? Throw a few bags of concrete in the back, it will ride a lot smoother. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

02-26-2014, 12:32 AM	#5
69Rumbler Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 903	Re: Better ride ?? Yea that was my thinking it's a 69 it should ride like one haha __________________ 1969 C20 CUSTOM "RUMBLEr"

02-26-2014, 11:39 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Better ride ?? I'd leave as is and have a great truck that can haul anything. While beboppin' around do as Scott said and toss a few bags of sand across the back of the bed. You might need the sand sometime and you'll hook up better on those light to light drag races (or slight grade in loose gravel __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-26-2014, 11:41 AM	#7
69Rumbler Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 903	Re: Better ride ?? I had some one offer me a set of tailing arms ? Any thoughts __________________ 1969 C20 CUSTOM "RUMBLEr"

02-26-2014, 11:42 AM	#8
Sicklajoie The Niner Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Broad Brook, CT Posts: 2,499	Re: Better ride ?? The crossmember is different for trailing arms vs. leaf springs. __________________ "A good racer is one whose head is in communication with his balls." - Richie Evans 1970 C/20 - 402/TH400/3.54s - 74K miles 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 - Wheatland Yellow Niner Progression Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=697183 Classic Trucks article: https://www.motortrend.com/features/...et-c20-driven/

02-26-2014, 11:44 AM	#9
69Rumbler Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 903	Re: Better ride ?? Sounds like it would be a pain , I'm sticking with leaf just going to get some new leafs with a 3" drop __________________ 1969 C20 CUSTOM "RUMBLEr"

02-26-2014, 12:23 PM	#10
Sicklajoie The Niner Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Broad Brook, CT Posts: 2,499	Re: Better ride ?? A 3" drop?? Why would you do that?? __________________ "A good racer is one whose head is in communication with his balls." - Richie Evans 1970 C/20 - 402/TH400/3.54s - 74K miles 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 - Wheatland Yellow Niner Progression Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=697183 Classic Trucks article: https://www.motortrend.com/features/...et-c20-driven/

02-26-2014, 12:39 PM	#11
69Rumbler Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 903	Re: Better ride ?? To level it out .. Not trying to drop it just want it sitting straight __________________ 1969 C20 CUSTOM "RUMBLEr"

02-26-2014, 01:03 PM	#12
Sicklajoie The Niner Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Broad Brook, CT Posts: 2,499	Re: Better ride ?? That seems like a lot, I think mine has an 1" or 1.5" rake. __________________ "A good racer is one whose head is in communication with his balls." - Richie Evans 1970 C/20 - 402/TH400/3.54s - 74K miles 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 - Wheatland Yellow Niner Progression Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=697183 Classic Trucks article: https://www.motortrend.com/features/...et-c20-driven/

02-26-2014, 02:57 PM	#13
67 chevelle Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: WEST PALM FLORIDA Posts: 1,174	Re: Better ride ?? sway bars , change all the bushings in the front sway bar , if you do not have a rear sway bar , install one , your handling , corning , and all around drive ability will DRASTICALLY improve . __________________ 68 Long Fleet , ly6 , turbo 350 , 3-5 drop , original paint , front discs 67 Small window , 7 foot bed , tweaked 6.0 LSX 2004R Medium Olive 58 Apache fleet , 235 , offy intake , dual exhaust , 4 on the floor , red/white 69 Long Fleet , Custom , 6.0, 4l60 , AC , Medium Olive

02-26-2014, 04:05 PM	#14
67 chevelle Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: WEST PALM FLORIDA Posts: 1,174	Re: Better ride ?? Also changing to a newer , quicker ratio steering box , will greatly improve road feel , make sure it is centered correctly , they are tighter in the centered position , for about 3/4 turns each way , the one I used was a 78 model year __________________ 68 Long Fleet , ly6 , turbo 350 , 3-5 drop , original paint , front discs 67 Small window , 7 foot bed , tweaked 6.0 LSX 2004R Medium Olive 58 Apache fleet , 235 , offy intake , dual exhaust , 4 on the floor , red/white 69 Long Fleet , Custom , 6.0, 4l60 , AC , Medium Olive

02-26-2014, 06:02 PM	#15
69Rumbler Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 903	Re: Better ride ?? That will be next thing I do change the bushings of my sway bars thanks __________________ 1969 C20 CUSTOM "RUMBLEr"

02-27-2014, 08:06 PM	#16
'68 Newtricks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles area :( Posts: 499	Re: Better ride ?? Opps Last edited by '68 Newtricks; 02-27-2014 at 08:14 PM.



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02-27-2014, 08:14 PM	#17
'68 Newtricks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles area :( Posts: 499	Re: Better ride ?? I wasn't sure if I should clutter up the thread with my offer on the trailing arms, but yes that was me. I'm local and I offered a running long bed chassis from the firewall back, with Eaton axle. Figured if he had everything, it's just a bolt on ordeal. (Except removing rivets, but at least he only has to remove the bed) Was only asking scrap value (~$100 I guess) since I'm just looking to get it off my lawn. Heck, you can have the bed with it. It's has pretty nice fenders too, though inside is crap. I'm swapping everything over to a short bed frame that's been sandblasted blah blah blah. Rather see someone use it than it go to China.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.