Trigger Creep
Registered Member
My 89 K5 is about to be put into use as a daily driver. How can I soften up the ride? The springs are very stiff.
CK5
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Soften the ride
- Thread starter Trigger Creep
- Start date
Hossbaby50
3/4 ton status
Are they stock springs or lift springs? There are several ways to increase ride quality. Good shocks help alot. If the springs are old new bushings can help. A good way to increase soft ride is by changing your shackle angle.
Harley
Harley
Trigger Creep
Registered Member
Springs are originals, no lift. I've looked for aftermarket leafs with a lessor spring rate, but can't find any regular production pieces.
The shocks have been replaced recently, but I can't tell what they are. No stickers, gas shocks with large white barrels.
Where can I find offset shackles? Is this something I have to fabricate? Can you explain in more detail?
The front is where I'd like some give.
Thanks!
The shocks have been replaced recently, but I can't tell what they are. No stickers, gas shocks with large white barrels.
Where can I find offset shackles? Is this something I have to fabricate? Can you explain in more detail?
The front is where I'd like some give.
Thanks!
Check that your front isn't bottoming out. Your bumpstops and springs will show if it is. Mine seems to like to do this, and I'm running the HD 3 leaf fronts, shocks that aren't top dollar, but work.
If you've got the 3 leaf fronts, 2 leafs SHOULD be a bit less stiff.
Working on this issue myself, may go back to 5 leaf rears, 2 leaf fronts, good shocks. I've trimmed down a bumpstop, once I get it together enough to do some testing offroad, I'm going to see if getting more travel out of the suspension will lessen the jarring feel.
If you've got the 3 leaf fronts, 2 leafs SHOULD be a bit less stiff.
Working on this issue myself, may go back to 5 leaf rears, 2 leaf fronts, good shocks. I've trimmed down a bumpstop, once I get it together enough to do some testing offroad, I'm going to see if getting more travel out of the suspension will lessen the jarring feel.
Yep, good shocks make a world of difference. I went from Rancho 5000s to Edelbrock and it totally transformed my ride quality.
Thunder
3/4 ton status
If your shocks have no Id chances are they are Ranchos. Rancho makes shocks for many aftermarket shock companies. Rancho shocks are stiff. When my Blazer had stock springs changing from Rancho to Gabriel Ultra shocks made a world of difference for the better in the ride.
Dafey
1/2 ton status
Yeager said:
How much height will he lose going from 3 to 2 leafs?
Who knows. I'd suspect brand new, ride height would be close to the same, but depending on engine and accessories, it probably varied up to an inch or so. Start throwing two leaf springs under a diesel with AC, and ride height would probably drop.
The springs seem to sit flat at rest, (or close to it) so it would be pretty easy for GM to keep ride height the same if the spring rate was changed depending on weight over the axle, and GM did change the spring rate for that reason. I believe only three different rates, but probably enough to accomodate the various engine and accessory options.
The springs seem to sit flat at rest, (or close to it) so it would be pretty easy for GM to keep ride height the same if the spring rate was changed depending on weight over the axle, and GM did change the spring rate for that reason. I believe only three different rates, but probably enough to accomodate the various engine and accessory options.
roadnotca
3/4 ton status
Installing greaseable bushings will definitely soften the ride. The factory bonded rubber bushings act as springs. Ask me how I know!?!
Jishory
1/2 ton status
Did a shackle fly at you?
roadnotca
3/4 ton status
ToughCountry EZ with ORD bushings=SleezyRide. I had to buy stiffer shocks.Jishory said:
