Shocks Or Springs

TheTrueMoron · October 22, 2009

My suspension doesn't compress or absorb on most bumps and it makes for a rough as hell ride, not to mention that it's probably tearing some part of the truck up. The shocks and are the stock cheap ones that came with the lift kit, which has been on the truck for probably 40-45,000 miles. The truck has had a rough ride for as long as I remember (and it's always had the lift kit for as long as I've owned it). What should I look at replacing, the springs or the shocks?

Nytemare · October 22, 2009

Put a stock suspension in it if you want comfort...lift kits are made to take a beating off road.

Not to mention you have BFG mudterains on there, which are one of the hardest tires on the market...more than likely they're 8-ply sidewalls LT tires which will make them absorb about as much as a steam roller.

What are you running for air pressure? No more than 40 psi, recommended is 32-35 cold.

If your truck isn't compressing the springs, it will be next to useless to replace your shocks for the most part...but it may help a little....if you do replace them go with a gas shock, they're built more for comfort.

jjrobo · October 22, 2009

Check and see if your torsion bar keys are maxed out, that would make it ride rough.

TheTrueMoron · October 22, 2009

They were actually the Pro Comp Mud Terrains. I put on some new Xtreme Mud Terrains a few weeks back and they helped a little but I think that's because of the extra tread. They're kept at about 35 cold, any less and the wear would be uneven.

I don't know about the torsion bar keys. I thought 2WD didn't have them?

blackout07 · October 22, 2009

I don't know about the torsion bar keys. I thought 2WD didn't have them?

You don't have them unless it's the 1500 HD. What type of setup are you running in the rear? AAL and block or complete leaf pack? You are probably due for some new shocks anyway, so I would start by replacing them appropriately. Their relatively inexpensive.

TheTrueMoron · October 22, 2009

That's what I thought about the torsion bar keys. I have enough money to replace the front shocks, which is why I started this thread. The rear provides plenty of shock absorption, but I believe it is the AAL and block.

Spurshot · October 28, 2009

I have Bilsteins on my 99 and my 08 and I think they are a great improvement over stock. I think you'll be happy with Bilstein shocks.

TheTrueMoron · October 28, 2009

I ordered the 5100's yesterday and I'm getting them put on Saturday. My brother has them on his truck and that thing rides kinda floaty- I feel like I'm on a boat. I was going to get the Edelbrocks, but I would have had to wait 2 weeks and I'm pretty impatient, and the Bilsteins were cheaper.

Spurshot · November 12, 2009

Put a stock suspension in it if you want comfort...lift kits are made to take a beating off road.
Not to mention you have BFG mudterains on there, which are one of the hardest tires on the market...more than likely they're 8-ply sidewalls LT tires which will make them absorb about as much as a steam roller.

What are you running for air pressure? No more than 40 psi, recommended is 32-35 cold.

If your truck isn't compressing the springs, it will be next to useless to replace your shocks for the most part...but it may help a little....if you do replace them go with a gas shock, they're built more for comfort.

I don't believe BFG makes a 8 ply sidewall tire in this size. Most tires for our trucks are either 2 ply sidewalls or 3 ply sidewalls. I have load range E tires which are a superseding tire to the old 10 ply and later "10 ply rating". They have a 2 ply sidewall of polyester. I don't think an actual 10 ply or even 8 ply tire has been available since they stopped using cotton plies in the 60s when they changed to the "__ ply rating" and started using synthetic plies. Even prior to that change, the ply count most often used in conversation was the tread area. Sidewall plies have always been less count.

Nytemare · November 12, 2009

Put a stock suspension in it if you want comfort...lift kits are made to take a beating off road.
Not to mention you have BFG mudterains on there, which are one of the hardest tires on the market...more than likely they're 8-ply sidewalls LT tires which will make them absorb about as much as a steam roller.

What are you running for air pressure? No more than 40 psi, recommended is 32-35 cold.

If your truck isn't compressing the springs, it will be next to useless to replace your shocks for the most part...but it may help a little....if you do replace them go with a gas shock, they're built more for comfort.

I don't believe BFG makes a 8 ply sidewall tire in this size. Most tires for our trucks are either 2 ply sidewalls or 3 ply sidewalls. I have load range E tires which are a superseding tire to the old 10 ply and later "10 ply rating". They have a 2 ply sidewall of polyester. I don't think an actual 10 ply or even 8 ply tire has been available since they stopped using cotton plies in the 60s when they changed to the "__ ply rating" and started using synthetic plies. Even prior to that change, the ply count most often used in conversation was the tread area. Sidewall plies have always been less count.

Sorry...I screwed up...Meant to say just 8-ply. which still don't absorb much in the way of bumps.

I'm gonna go in the corner and hang my head in shame now...