2001 Chevy 1500HD Crew Cab or Pogo stick?

[RGOOD10921]

I have a 2001 chevy 1500HD Crew Cab 'LT', I absolutely love the truck EXCEPT for the ride.  Since the day I bought it seems to bounce all the time, even on fresh pavement.  The dealer has replaced all 4 tires-the Firestones and re-balanced them repeatedly, but this has helped only slightle. I am looking at buying new shocks, but I don't know if this will help.  Anyone have any suggestions?  or is the way the truck is supposed to ride?  Thanks..RGOOD10921

[RyanbabZ71]

first off have you ever owned a pickup truck prior to this one?  It may be riding like a "pogo stick" because of the wheel base

 

As for shocks bilsteins will really stiffen it up

[RGOOD10921]

I had a 1993 GMC Sierra 1500 Ext Cab, it rode like a cadillac, maybe I am spoiled. I got the crew cab for the space and towing/hauling capabilities when needed.  I was looking in the Performance catalogue and saw the Edelbrock IAS Shocks that guarantee a better ride, but for $80 a piece, I just wanted to know if they are worth it? Thanks for the reply

[RyanbabZ71]

I put bilsteins on my truck and i must say it doesnt feel "soft or floaty" anymore.  Stiffer and more solid.  

 

I dont have any experience with the edlebrocks.  I paid $49.99 ea. for the bilsteins.

 

What shocks are on there now?

[RGOOD10921]

They are factory, I don't who makes them.  Also the dealer has had a heck of time balancing the Firestone tires and the aluminum rims. They use some serious weights (about 3 to 4 inches in length), I am not a tire balancing expert, but that just doesn't look right?  I don't think this is the cause of the bounce, I knwo the suspension is stiff, but hoped it would bounce only when riding over real bumps, not highway irregularites or grooves.

[RyanbabZ71]

it would bounce only when riding over real bumps, not highway irregularites or grooves.

 

seems that this is normal.  ALot of people with ext cab trucks complained of this on edmunds.com.  

 

As for the 3-4" weights i have (had, many of them flew off) those size weights also.  I junked the stock fstones after 10K they were garbage.  

 

I dont think shocks will help your situation very much.  It wouldnt hurt though cause aftermarket is better than stock anyways.

[Shaners]

What kind of air pressure is in your tires.  I have the same tires on my 2500HD and I run 50-55 psi.  This is a little high for most people, so I think you might be beter at about 45 psi.

 

You may also have a disc that is all out of whack!!!  You could see if the dealer would be willing to replace the discs for the brakes to try and isolate this problem.

 

My truck is about 500 lbs heavier than yours, but otherwise it is rock solid at all speeds.  No vibrations or shakes.

 

When I go over a speed bump, I feel it, but at speed everything is OK.

 

These tires will follow highway grooves but it is a wandering feeling rather than a bouncing problem.

 

The other thing your dealer can check is for an out of round tire, or a rim that is not true.  An out of round tire is easy to see on the balancer, and it is not too uncommon.  When the tire and wheel is being balanced and if there is any up and down movement or side to side movement then you've found the problem.

[Jpshostr]

For driving with no load, make sure your tires are at 50-55 psi for best ride.  You also have to realize there is quite a difference in the 1500 you had and this 1500HD which is actually a much heavier duty truck.  The first one was geared towards providing transportation, this one is geared towards hauling loads.  Thus it has a much stiffer suspension that transfers more of the road shock and doesn't absorb as much.

[Greg]

You might try loading about 500 lbs. above or just in front of the rear axle line.  Experiment with amount of weight and position (not behind the rear axle line) and find the minimum weight that eliminates (or minimizes) the bounce.  A number of folks I know with 3/4 and 1 ton pickups (though usually not with Chevys) have resorted to carrying ballast to ease the empty ride.  My father-in-law's old F-250 HD bucks like a mule.  (Of course, he runs about 80 lbs. in his tires.)

[x6369x]

Hello all,

Newbie here, and I have to say this board is a plethora of good information.

 

I've had my 02 Sierra 1500 HD since the end of October, and only notice the "bouncing" feeling when driving at freeway speeds, on roads that have the small lines/grooves that are about 2 - 3 feet apart, that run perpendicular to the flow of traffic.

 

Otherwise, the truck runs really smooth.  On a recent trip from Sacramento to Los Angeles, the truck pulled strong and ran smoothly all the way up to the 98 mph governor.

 

Just my $0.02.

[NewbieZ71]

Welcome to the site x6369x!!! Enjoy.....

[RGOOD10921]

Thanks for all of the replys to my problem.  The dealer in attempt to help the bounce problem lowered the air pressure from 80 lbs. set at delivery to 35 lbs.  This only helped slightly, but with your advice the tires are now 55lbs.  I will have discs checked, I have a metal souding squal coming from the front left area when I make right or left hand turns at around 25mph or higher.  You never know.  Also, I will try the weight, but hate to keep it there because I use my truck bed alot.  I pulled a trailer awhile back and you all are right the truck did ride better, guess because the trailer held the rear end down.  Thanks for the info.  I will let you know what happens on my next trip back to the dealer.  Now does anyone know how to improve the gasmileage?  The K&N drop in filter didn't seem to help any?  RGood10921

[RyanbabZ71]

Now does anyone know how to improve the gasmileage?

 

I wish id never have to work again  

 

Filled up today after 10 days and 161 miles (all city) i got 11.6 mpg.  Oh well didnt buy the truck for gas milage.  Gas was only $0.99 total cost $13.90

 

Some weight in the back isnt a bad idea currently for winter i have my spare tire and 2 70lb sand bags (can get em at any home depot or menards) in the back.  Weight helps overall

[Jpshostr]

About all I can say on mileage is don't carry any more crap then you have to, keep the weight down.  Since you are driving a fullsize truck, you can't let yourself think you are going to get anything close to a car with that 6.0L.  Just out of curiosity, what are you getting?

[Shaners]

If you have the 4.10 gears in your truck, you need to keep the speed down on the interstate to save fuel.

 

There is a section of I-80 by my house that beats me up so bad that I think my fillings are going to come out.  It is only about 7-10 miles long though, and then the truck rides smooth again.

 

I have a fiberglass cap on my truck, so that is like carrying 200 pds. all the time...  maybe that is helping me, and like I said I'm running 50-55 psi in my tires.