How do I improve my suspension?

[texinxin]

My daily driver is a 1971 Jimmy. I'm having some serious ride quality problems when I go down the highway. At 60-70mph the rig literally leaves the ground when I hit a dip in the highway. What's out there for improving ride quality? What are you doing? I've considered three options: A) trying to find a bolt on kit so I can have dual shocks in the front, B) Switching to better shocks -I have NO idea what those would be, or C) switching to a custom coil over setup. I read that ORD has made one but since this is a daily driver rig I don;t think it would be appropriate. What do you think?

Here's what the set up look slike: New 2" leaf springs in the front from ORD and 4" blocks with stock springs in the rear, rolling on 15" wheels and 33" MT's. I'm using a Rancho RS5000 shocks in the front and Rough Country shocks(from ORD) in the rear. No sway/antiroll bars installed. I have less than 5000 miles on the suspension. I attached a pic of the truck to this posting.

 

[Yukon Jack]

That's a great looking K5. I'm really surprised your having that type of problem given the setup you have. Can you post a pic or two of your front suspension showing how your shocks are positioned while sitting on flat ground.

Even if you had bottom of the barrel crappy shocks you shouldn't be bouncing like you are indicating. You could upgrade to Alcan springs and some high quality shocks like Bilstein's, but it would be nice to know why you are having that type of ride to begin with.

 

[Greg72]

Is it jumping because it's too stiff, or too soft??

Is it pulling left or right when the suspension cycles, or is it tracking nice and straight?


More details about what it feels like would help. If it's already stiff, adding more shocks obviously isn't the answer.

 

[AJs72K5]

Are you leaving the ground going into the dip or coming out of it? How big are these dips you're referring to? It sounds more like an issue between you and Sir Isaac Newton, rather than a suspension issue.

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

Add an front axle winch...

 

[vtblazer]

I'd suggest go easy on the fix, approach it by finding the reason it's acting like it is.

Do a 'process of elimination' attack before throwing money at it.

Shocks are a huge factor, I'd start there being what your currently running for suspension.

Question though...
2" springs in the front and 4" blocks in the rear...how's it sitting level?

I've never liked the idea of the new spring/old spring combo personally, just can't see how having totally different spring rates front to rear would be good.

If you want a really nice road ride and you are able to throw some cash at it, do an 'all' spring Alcan set up w/a good set od Bilsteins.

 

[Greg72]

Kurt's comments just reminded me of another simple diagnostic trick.


Disconnect the front shocks competely and drive around for a while. The difference should be obvious (wallowy, bouncy, etc). However, if it's NOT....that means that your front springs are stiff as hell and there isn't a shock absorber in the world that is going to make them softer.

I learned this the hard way many years ago when I first got my '72. The owner had installed a set of RoughCountry lift springs and the front were something like a 750Lbs/In rate... it was rediculously stiff and rode horrible. When I disconnected the front shocks it didn't feel a bit different. That helped me make the decision to get a new set of springs and start over.

 

[70jimmy]

Good advice Greg!!

Are the rear springs old? I don't like blocks much so I would do a flip, but that's just my personal preference.

Are the shackles for the front springs moving or are they frozen in place? I know some people have tightened the shackles way to much and don't get any movement out of them.

As posted in your other thread Body bushings if they are worn make a huge difference.

I have the tuff country ez rides on mine but it is 6 inch lift spring. A little bouncy but not like you are describing.

 

[cegusman]

G

Are the shackles for the front springs moving or are they frozen in place? I know some people have tightened the shackles way to much and don't get any movement out of them.

x2 Check and see how tight your Spring bolts are tightened. They should only be tightened to 45 ft lbs. Anything more and the suspension will not work correctly and will ride very stiff.

 

[texinxin]

Thanks for all the responses. In answer to some of your questions.

Its new springs in the front, the old ones with block in the rear.

Perhaps its the blocks in the back are 2" in ch blocks but I'm not sure. I intentionally went a little bigger in the back to give it a rake-look.

I didn't have a torque wrench when I put the suspension on so I have no idea if I tightened them too tight, freezing the shackles in place as you suggested. I'll jack up the front and check the looseness of the bushings.

I'll also disconnect the front shocks and see it rides.

The truck would come out of a dip and bounce. Its like how you would imagine riding in an old covered wagon would feel like. However, it tracks very nicely with minimal pull right or left. I do think a steering stabilizer would help tremendously as well as an anti sway bar.

I'll take a picture of the current set up and post it ASAP.

Thanks again.