My suspension setup is a little weird : Doetch tech 2" coils, 'Bettes spring' adjustable leaf springs (cheap 'two leaf' - got from guy at doetch tech), and shackles (the leafs didnt drop it enough so I had to use shackles for 4" total) and Edelbrock IAS shocks. Belltech front and rear swaybars.

I dont know if its just the 'inexpensive' coils and leafs+shackles, or if its the shocks or a combination.........but it just doesn't ride good. Its stiff but bouncy at the same time.......like when I hit a bump an awkward shockwave runs through the whole truck. Its creating more squeaks and pops in the truck then I'd like.

I sold my stock shocks so I can't try that option unless I buy some more......and I'm afraid of buying better components (Hotchkis) because theyre $$$ and it might ride even stiffer/worse then it does now.

Are there any shocks or setups I haven't thought of that would give me a little better ride? Maybe going ahead and getting a 2" spindle, shackles+hangers (I'd only need hangers) and stock shocks would work better? I dont mind it being a little stiff as long as it feels solid. If it rode too soft it would most likely bottom out easily. Any suggestions?

 

I will go ahead and recommend Hotchkis, like I always do.
I thought the ride was going to be REALLY stiff. I guess my expectations were really high because, yes, it is stiff, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The ride is nice and firm, still bearable though.
Unless there's potholes all over the street, on every street, you will be fine. I can still take a good sized speed bump at 30 and it feels ok.
That last paragraph you wrote describes the Hotchkis setup very well. A little stiff, solid.
The Hotchkis set up on my truck will be there for awhile until I'm able to afford a 4-link and coilovers in the rear.

 

Ever considered Bilstien shocks if they are available for your application?

 

Qa1 Shocks would be my idea you can adjust the rears to what ever you want
adjustable shocks are a must if you have
Let me Guess no spare tire under the truck and you have a rollpan aswell
The edelbrock shocks are petty stiff with no weight in the back
i would try the QA1 shocks if it'd that bad
I'm sure the 20's have something to do with the ride being harsh aswell
Just some thoughts
I have a Set of Qa1's for sale
I had the same issues with my truck
The front end felt fine but the rear was too still

jim

 

You might want to try the Mcgaughy's drop spindles they are a 2" drop. then you can run a decent spring thats not too harsh up front. In the rear, to get any sort of plush ride with a drop your gonna have to lose the leafs. go w/ a 4-link and run coil-overs instead of bags,(bags will give the softest ride but aren't really appropriate for sporting intentions) + the 4link will really help your launch. The shudder your describing sounds like your hitting the urethane snubbers on the truck and it spikes the spring rate and overwhelms the the shocks. Your tire aspect ratio and rim width can have a huge affect on your ride(too wide a rim for the tire will realy make your ride harsh as the tire is stretched and doesn't have tha ability to absorb shocks.

 

Thanks for the suggestions

Chingon - I have always thought that if I just go ahead and get quality stuff like Hotchkis I'd be good to go.....but I'm always worried I'm trading a bad ride for a justslightlybetter/bad ride. How much is a 4 link and coilover setup and what is involved? It seems I've read about bolt-on 4 link setups, I'm sure theyre $$$, but it sounds like it may be worth it?? How would it affect the ride and what kind of drop would we be talking?

unredeemed - i have considered Bilsteins, but I have never heard of them for a 2-4 drop (maybe stock height ones would do?) The Lightnings have a good ride, and they use bilsteins so I've always thought that might be the way to go

GMC SKI - I'm interested in adjustable shocks but dont know about the price - and the 20's did make it ride firmer but theyre here to stay Whats weird is that with the lightweight roll pan it seems to ride a little better to me. I have the spare in the rear of the bed for now so maybe thats just enough weight to make the ride decent...


thanks for the replies - i'm pretty serious about doing something different.....I've put up with for a long time but I think its time to change.

 

I think you can get a 4-link setup for around $600, maybe a little more. Then labor which will be just as expensive or more than the 4-link. I need traction, I got in on that Cal Tracs GP so we will see how much that helps.
Next are DRs

 

my new setup is going to be a 4 link
You can get a bolt in 4 link setup that requires you to puch out the rivets in the fron spring hangers and then the 4 link harware uses those hole
The the hard part is the welding of the coilovers on the rear axle
shouldn't take too long for an skilled chassis shop
the 4 link is 500 plus a good set of adjustable coilovers and any labour
the Bolt in 4 link is mainly yo relocate your axle and then from there get what you want either bags or coils
we'll see how good the new setup is going to hook up

jim