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bouncy ride.

Ron Salsini

Ron Salsini

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I have been a member but never posted.

I just finished my 4 year project, 86 K5. The ride is way to bouncy in the front. I used the Off Road Design 2 inch lift kit with a rear shackle flip, new 2 " Tuff country springs and shocks, duel in the front.

I think the problem is the shocks, any suggestions?

PS I will be at the LMC C10 nationals in Texas this weekend if any one is going.

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Hard to tell from your post, but I f you got the springs from ORD then they’re Tough Country, not Rough Country. And Bilstein shocks are the best bang for the buck. No need for dual (not duel, that’s fighting against someone :rotfl:) shocks in the front, that was before new shock technology came along.
 
By "bouncy" do you mean too stiff (hard) or uncontrolled (lack of dampening)? I have the tough country HD from ORD in my crew. I feel like they did soften up a bit from when they were new. The bilsteins are better in my opinion but wont help that much if the spring rate is too stiff.
 
HankScorpio said:
By "bouncy" do you mean too stiff (hard) or uncontrolled (lack of dampening)? I have the tough country HD from ORD in my crew. I feel like they did soften up a bit from when they were new. The bilsteins are better in my opinion but wont help that much if the spring rate is too stiff.
Click to expand...

uncontrolled (lack of dampening)
 
Try the bilsteins. I run 7100 series in my blazer front but they wont fit a stock rig. There is a 5100 series that a lot of guys like that fits. I saw a big difference when I went to 7100 in the front and 5100 in the rear. I used to run the cheapies that came with my lift kit. Someone will probably chime in on the right model for you, they are a common upgrade.
 
I have the Tough country 3" springs up front with ORD 4"shackle flip rear.

This is the smoothest lifted truck i have ever owned or dtiven.

So.
I have a question.
Is your sway bar still intact?
Has it been corrected for the lift?

This is huge.

Yes, funny comments apply.

It turns out, that a sway bar disconnect kit actually can help correct the angles after a lift.

Sway bar correction and proper length shocks up front.
Mucho importante to ride quality.
 
You have your sway bar attached as stock, has it been lowered or removed How is the roll in a turn.
 
Before someone says it;
I know the sway bar only controls roll.
Straight up and down dampening have nothing to do with it.
Maybe i am wrong.
But when I disconnect my swaybar using ORD's badass awesome sway bar disconnect system, the front end is bouncy as sh#t.
I like it off road.
Just mentioning that there is more than the sum of the parts here.

I believe it occurs due to no bounce actually being a perfect symetrical front end bounce.
Like hitting a speed bump perfectly with both front wheels at the same time.
In that case the sway bar does nothing to control ride.
All other bumps are imperfect, and the sway bar will have a say in ride quality.
 
I did install the 2 inch lift quick release on the truck. I have disconnected the sway bar. I should have mentioned that with the sway bar connected the truck was almost uncontrollable if i hit a large bump at even 35 MPH. it bounced so hard that the tiers squiled on the landing.
 
Ron Salsini said:
I did install the 2 inch lift quick release on the truck. I have disconnected the sway bar. I should have mentioned that with the sway bar connected the truck was almost uncontrollable if i hit a large bump at even 35 MPH. it bounced so hard that the tiers squiled on the landing.
Click to expand...

Something else is wrong then.

When you say, squealed, do you mean the tires hit the fenders?

Any pictures?
Pictures in the fenderwell.
Close up of the steering knuckles.

IS THE FRAME CRACKED UNDER THE STEERING BOX?
Look carefully.

I would look for worn ball joints, worn steering components, worn spring bushings, worn shock bushings.

In the past, chasing issues like this, i would put it in park, set the brake, chock the wheels.
Engine OFF!
Lay under the front end while a helper carefully pushes up and down on the bumper.
Might need them to stand on the bumper.
With timing, you can get the front end bouncing, while you look at everything.

Then jack up the front until both wheels are off the ground and check for wheel bearing play, ball joint play, steering component slop.

You should not be having these issues at 35 mph
There must be something worn out in the system.

I would tell you to have a friend cycle the steering wheel back and forth while the engine is running and you are watching underneath.. but only do that if you feel safe.
Don't have the friend be a 10 year old kid.
For obvious reasons.

But cycling the steering under load can identify issues like worn steering components, cracked frame under the steering box etc.
 
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4 yr build you say. How old are the tires? If old they may have flat spots. This can feel like uncontroled dampening
 
Your shocks are installed upside down.

Just saw it in your picture.
Maybe confirm with the manyfacturer that you can mount them like that.
Not all shock designs can be inverted.
 
If Tuff country shocks they will say witch end is up and i agree they are upside down.
 
Well that's embarrassing.. Maybe installing the shocks upside down effects the intended compression and rebound of the shocks.

I will make a flip and get back with the results.

PS. Just got back from the LMC C10 truck nationals. Had a great time, over 800 trucks on all configurations.
 
1990 k5 6" tuff country easy ride

I just read this thread becouse im also having issues with alot of bounce going down the road after I just installed this lift... Got me second thinking about my shocks.... Which way is up on these sx8000
 
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