Best suspension for a smooth riding street 4x4?

[RICK212]

I have a '72 Blazer 4x4 small block and the suspension is the stock, 37 year old OEM suspension. This daily driver never goes off-road. I had replaced the shocks with Magnums since the old shocks were nasty looking. That is all I have done so far.....

I want to have the smoothest ride possible and need some advice as what is out there beyond the OEM replacement parts. I have visitied various sites but most upgrades are air-rides for 2WD trucks.

Should I go with stock replacement bushings or poly/synthetic parts. What are the pros and cons of rubber versus poly/sythetics?

Should I go with OEM metal replacement parts or tubed control arms etc...

The ride height is fine but I was looking at refreshing the leafs springs. Has anyone rebuilt their leaf springs? If so, how dod you do it? I read about graphite paint from the Tractor Supply Stores to repaint the leafs after cleaning them up. Did anyone add the inserts betrween the leafs?

Thanks...Rick

 

[jonathon]

Go poly.. it won't bind like rubber, and it will last many times longer.

 

[Thunder]

Poly bushings will give a rougher firmer ride than rubber. Poly is good for handling and they wear better than rubber for offroad use.
But
If you want a smoother quieter ride. Go with OEM rubber bushings.
If you have a spring shop in town. Take your springs in and have them rebuilt to give you a soft ride. after 37 years they are most likely worn out.
Monroe Magnum are Ok shocks but they ride a little stiff. Gabriel are a better riding shock IMO.
Tires should be considered too. They can have a major effect on your ride. A good highway tire will ride better than a small truck AT/ MT type tire.

 

[bodacious]

A "smooth" ride for these trucks isn't real smooth, no matter what. Straight axles, leaf springs, and short wheel bases just do not create smooth rides. The smoothest possible ride you could get is from air bags, but you would have to get them done custom. Other than that, stay close to stock height, replace all suspension bushings, use high quality shocks, and radial A/T tires. That's about as good as you'll get with a K5. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Thunder]

Also your body to frame bushings are most likely in dire need of replacing. Use OEM type not poly for comfort.

 

[greg mgm]

Rubber bushings, Tuff Country Springs, and C rated tires make a big difference. You might not get a car like ride, but it should ride much better.

 

[jt512]

check out this article, http://coloradok5.com/52inchspringswap.shtml it is about swapping in 52's but there is some good tech about "rebuilding " old spring packs.

 

[Stomis]

Coils front and rear with sway bars, ride like a caddy.

 

[dfl701]

Coils front and rear with sway bars, ride like a caddy.

ha that's what I was thinkin to

 

[CUCV2]

Normally I would say rubber spring bushing over poly. But I think some greasable shackles w. poly bushings would trump straight poly or straight rubber. If it helps for flex it will help with your ride. I was surprised what a difference it made in the 1 ton.