How can I achieve best ride

[Arl37]

Have a restored 69 C 10 with 2 1/2" dropped spindles in front (disk Brakes) and 4 dropped leaf springs in rear.
Truck looks and runs great. Over all very happy with it.
However, Im toying with the idea of doing what ever it takes to improve the ride as much as possible. I realize this will probably end much of the drop.
However, I really dont know where to start.
Could you please give me your thoughts on what I should do to front end and rear end to create the best possible ride.
Thank you.

[Rick Bollinger]

If you are running stock shock and springs in front the drop should have no effect. The back you could go to a spring shop and have a light pair made.

[67swb72klb]

I think the coil spring trailing arm rear suspension rides better than the leafs

[Rick Bollinger]

I agree.

[HO455]

Please describe your definition of the "Best Ride". It's very possible that my best ride and your best ride are completely different.

[Steeveedee]

Better, until a large load is placed on the truck to tame the ride. My truck rides nice with a 26 foot travel trailer attached, and pounds like a steel kangaroo when unloaded.

[1970 CST Short Wide]

I struggled with this for years. I tried just about every shock available. I have 2 1/2 drop spindles and had 1” springs up front with 5” springs in the rear. I finally bit the bullet and when with Full Coil over Suspension from QA1. Yes I spent ~$3500. Yes there is some modification that needs to be done (Not to Hard). Yes I can adjust the ride height up or down, there is also 18 different ride settings done with the twist of a knob on the shock, I can go from very Mushy to No I’m not moving. I love the ride I have it set on. I posted a pic so you can see the stance. From here I can up or down ~2 “

[WHYBYNU]

If you dont have a front anti-sway bar install one its
definitely one of the best improvements you can do. I run a 4" drop in front spindles and springs and a 5" drop spring in the rear with 1" block no C- notch. For shocks I run a set of Street Performance front and rear. I have to say I feel my truck rides as good as my daily Toyota Tocoma. Is it perfect no but I can't really ask for much better.

[HalfBrit]

This is going to sound way beyond shade tree. Back in the 80's a friend of mine did a complete frame off restoration of a Cheyenne Super. Truck looked perfect in every way but he hated the ride quality. He picked up some elevator weights (aprox. 160lbs) at the scrap yard and bolted them to the rear of the frame. Transformed the unloaded ride of that truck.

[Mid-Pack]

What shocks are you running and how old are they?

What are your expectations from your suspension and what do you think is missing from your ride quality? Or what would you like it to do better?

[connorm]

With a no expense spared build doing an air bag suspension will give you the best ride. With the largest bag, realistically a 5" or 6" bag, it will let you run the lowest air pressure or spring rate. Coil-overs are the next best option, and these are easier to set up and simpler maintenance and use. The last option is better shocks and springs.

I work at Ridetech suspension and put adjustable shocks on my C20 with heavy duty springs and I can't believe how much that it helped. The benefits of the adjustable shocks is that you are able to adjust the ride to your vehicle and your liking. Ridetech offers adjustable shocks in both stock replacements, and coil-overs/air bags. Here's what we offer, and a lot of what you end up doing will depend on how much you are willing to spend. If you have any more questions please let me know.

https://ridetech.com/product-categor...72_c_10_truck/

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Arl37

Have a restored 69 C 10 with 2 1/2" dropped spindles in front (disk Brakes) and 4 dropped leaf springs in rear.
Truck looks and runs great. Over all very happy with it.
However, Im toying with the idea of doing what ever it takes to improve the ride as much as possible. I realize this will probably end much of the drop.
However, I really dont know where to start.
Could you please give me your thoughts on what I should do to front end and rear end to create the best possible ride.
Thank you.

One detail that isn't listed for your set-up but can impact 'ride quality' perception is the wheel & tire combo. That should also be taken into consideration when comparing ones vehicle to other 'similar' vehicles.

For the best ride quality, this stuff is all important:

*the mildest spring rate for the vehicle & type of driving
*the longest travel, properly installed geometry shock available for the set-up
*verified suspension bushings (fully pivotal vs binding)

[Already Gone]

" 4 dropped leaf springs in rear." Can you give more detail on this ? Did you get new leafs or use blocks ? It was mentioned already about having a front sway bar as that will make huge different in the way your handles & feels if you do not have one.

[Arl37]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my initial Message. The comments have been very helpful. I would appreciate any additional comments on the following.
My coils on the front are stock coils and installed in 2013. The shocks on the front are Western Chassis Drop Shocks (summit) installed same time. I think I could probably go a little softer and that would help the front.
My real problem is the rear and not the front. Here is my question. The rear is just a 4' drop spring from Western Chassis. No blocks. Shocks are Beltec 2104ha Performance shocks. Very little distance beteen the rubber bumper above the spring above the spring and frame. Even cut rubber bumper down some. Occasionaly this bumper and frame will contact. Really dont want to notch the frame.
Apprearciate your comments.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by HalfBrit

This is going to sound way beyond shade tree. Back in the 80's a friend of mine did a complete frame off restoration of a Cheyenne Super. Truck looked perfect in every way but he hated the ride quality. He picked up some elevator weights (aprox. 160lbs) at the scrap yard and bolted them to the rear of the frame. Transformed the unloaded ride of that truck.

My wife fusses about the ride in my 71 GMC 2500 but never complains about the ride in the 77 Chev 30 with ten foot flatbed and hoist that adds around 2 K to the empty weight of the truck.


For general street use on 67/72 I think a lot of guys still put heavier stiffer shocks on the truck thnking that they need heavy duty shocks rather than the ideal shock for what they want to do.

Other than that some times we might just expect too much because of what we drive as our daily driver as far as ride and handling go. That is anyone who drives a rig that is old enough to qualify for antique or classic plates though.