BADROC
Registered Member
I have an '88 K5 with a 6" (I'm being told is actually 9") lift with 38's. It rides rough (the wife complains everytime she rides in it, literally everytime) so what Are my options to soften the ride? 
CK5
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How get a smooth ride?
- Thread starter BADROC
- Start date
y5mgisi
1 ton status
What is your skill level and budget?
BADROC
Registered Member
Limited on both, but willing and able to try.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
I would say, best to get a set of 4" tuff country ez ride springs and a set of good shocks like the bilstien 5100's.
might have to go with a smaller tire on that set up unless you're willing to do some trimming and maybe a body lift.....and zero rates
You could also experiment and pull a leaf or two out of your packs. Take a picture of a front and rear leaf pack. Then maybe we can narrow down which ones you might wanna pull.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Right, i guess i should have added that in! And yes, pulling a leaf or two can help, but sometimes there isnt enough leaves left over to properly spread the load and the leaves can end up bent. Also not as much of a problem on a mall cruiser type truck. Ones that wheel can bend them pretty quick. As K85 said, go ahead and post a pick of your leaf packs.
15 psi...
bigred88
1/2 ton status
Trade it in for a Prius?
Kidding. But I do think before you do anything, you might want to try to lower your wife's expectations of how soft it will be when you're done. I have an 88 with a bone stock suspension, and it rides rough. I've put new shocks (halfway decent ones, not Bilsteins) on, I'm sure it would help to have new springs, spring bushings, and body mount bushings, but even then I don't think it's going to be very smooth.
Kidding. But I do think before you do anything, you might want to try to lower your wife's expectations of how soft it will be when you're done. I have an 88 with a bone stock suspension, and it rides rough. I've put new shocks (halfway decent ones, not Bilsteins) on, I'm sure it would help to have new springs, spring bushings, and body mount bushings, but even then I don't think it's going to be very smooth.
The best you can do with leaf springs is probably the custom leaf springs from Off Road Design.
I once had some stiff Rough Country leafs and then switched to the Tuff Country EZ rides. That was a big improvement, but required the Bilstein shocks to control it. "Lift kit" shocks let it bounce around. That was like the minimum I would call decent, but it was still quite stiff, especially compared to IFS trucks and the like. Then I called ORD and their springs totally fixed my truck. On rough trails little IFS trucks are bottoming out and slowing down while I just cruise.
This was all with about 4" of lift. At 8-9" getting a good ride is a lot more challenging. If you're serious about ride quality you should find a way to run less arch.
I once had some stiff Rough Country leafs and then switched to the Tuff Country EZ rides. That was a big improvement, but required the Bilstein shocks to control it. "Lift kit" shocks let it bounce around. That was like the minimum I would call decent, but it was still quite stiff, especially compared to IFS trucks and the like. Then I called ORD and their springs totally fixed my truck. On rough trails little IFS trucks are bottoming out and slowing down while I just cruise.
This was all with about 4" of lift. At 8-9" getting a good ride is a lot more challenging. If you're serious about ride quality you should find a way to run less arch.
kevin400ex
1/2 ton status
will need to see pics of said wife to determine if its worthwhile to upgrade to a less bitchy model. 
its a solid axle 4x4, my coil sprung late model 4x4 dodge really doesnt ride any better than my 79 k5.
its a solid axle 4x4, my coil sprung late model 4x4 dodge really doesnt ride any better than my 79 k5.
BADROC
Registered Member
Well with that said, I'm happy with the stiff bounce. I may purchase some Billstien's and the wife wants a Sequoia anyway so then I can complain big the monthly note is 
as for pics of the truck and wife coming soon.
as for pics of the truck and wife coming soon.
Suspension seats.
Get a C1500...ride like a fricken Cadillac.
BADROC
Registered Member
How much did that set up cost!? I'm looking at some military axles but that looks great!
You would need custom mounts. Mine are on the cage.
My offroad design front springs made my blazer ride awesome on the road.
Its actually enjoyable to drive on the road now. And that's vs the stock suspension I had before and the 4" lift now...
Its actually enjoyable to drive on the road now. And that's vs the stock suspension I had before and the 4" lift now...
