1 load gravel 1 Rick firewood and my ride quality has suffered

Gofas · December 18, 2015

Chevrolet service techs in Petaluma think I'm crazy. They could find nothing wrong with the ride of my truck. They blame it on the roads here.

So only I know the difference in ride. Before loading and after.

Think I might do a new suspension install myself, screw Chevrolet.

So anyway, thanks to the folks that chimed in on my gripe.

Last time I had to change out leaves and shocks was on an 96 Tacoma with 200k.( Tacomaworld.com user: Gofas), I used an OME kit. Mucho difference in ride it was.

Another reason I declare BS on this suspension. Is the fact that the truck I had before this one was a Tacoma 4 banger. And my cousin and I hand loaded a bunch of railroad ties And hauled them to the dump one day. And to my surprise they weighed in a 2k!! Twice as much as payload. I was worried then, however nothing was a miss with ride quality after that.

Trust me I did not plan on doing any work to this truck myself. Nor did I on my last truck. Which never had to in 5 years of hauling. It's all on Tacoma world.

Well Anyway, I'll figure it out somehow

Merry Christmas!

George C · December 18, 2015

With all due respect, the 1500 isn't really a truck for hauling a lot of weight. It's a nice vehicle for daily chores of the average user, and nothing more.

If you need to tow or carry a heavy load, it's not properly suspended.

I just traded off a 2011 1500. Two snowmobiles in my trailer, I get sag. Load a few hundred pounds in the box, it sags to the ground. I added Timbrens in front and rear. The sag was gone, but so was the ride.

I went back to a 2500hd, and the ride is so much better than my old 2005 2500, that I'll never buy a half ton again.

ember1205 · December 18, 2015

With all due respect, the 1500 isn't really a truck for hauling a lot of weight. It's a nice vehicle for daily chores of the average user, and nothing more.

If you need to tow or carry a heavy load, it's not properly suspended.

I just traded off a 2011 1500. Two snowmobiles in my trailer, I get sag. Load a few hundred pounds in the box, it sags to the ground. I added Timbrens in front and rear. The sag was gone, but so was the ride.

I went back to a 2500hd, and the ride is so much better than my old 2005 2500, that I'll never buy a half ton again.

I disagree.

Two sleds in my enclosed trailer and the bumper barely moves. A full pallet of Eco Bricks in the bed, and the back sags 3" at the axle. Zero impact to ride quality after towing or hauling.

I suspect that the OP's issue is that he hauled weight "very close" to when he originally bought the truck and the heavy weight settled the suspension much like driving it a few thousand miles would have. So, while he would likely have ended up exactly where he is now, he caused the change to happen more noticeably.

HondaHawkGT · December 18, 2015

I've hauled a few loads rock, 1900ish lbs each time, without issue. The Rancho 9000xl's are great if you plan on running heavy payloads from time to time but want a good ride unloaded. It's nice being able to set your dampening rate. Rancho has a summer promotion every year. I got $60 off the rear set of shocks.

Gofas · December 18, 2015

Lovin my truck overall, taking everybody to see Star Wars tonight. Woot woot!

Yeah, agree breaking it in quickly, lol

Sure enough, with a full tank it's a better ride.

sprayed99 · December 18, 2015

you might also look into load leveling bags. I tow a 18' roll back trailer and a street rod around. My truck is lowered in the rear with shackles and I have zero issues.

ic3man5 · December 18, 2015

Lovin my truck overall, taking everybody to see Star Wars tonight. Woot woot!

Yeah, agree breaking it in quickly, lol

Sure enough, with a full tank it's a better ride.

Full tank weights 165lbs; If you want a cheap solution ($10) buy 3-4 50lb sand bags and throw it in your bed (nearest to the tailgate). http://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-50-lb-Play-Sand-111351/100318476If you like that ride bilstein shocks will improve it x2.

I feel like bilstein should be paying me for how much I'm recommending these shocks...

PGDriver · December 18, 2015

Last time I hauled topsoil with my 1500 the scale said just under 2100lbs, did this 3 times in one day and the truck although a little dirty was fine

Gofas · December 22, 2015

I got a chance to look under truck today. Looks like rear shocks are busted. Got pics to show.

Remember that I took it to the dealer I purchased from for an inspection.

Well they missed the fact that my shocks are leaking.

I was reading about tennecoshocks and thier history just the other day. Well I hate the American product on my truck blewout first.

Gonna send GM a bill for my time and my labor. Gonna put another shock set on even through these are warrantied. Gonna drive by and show my local dealer. It's The local dealer that wanted me to wait til 5k. Crazy eh?

Maybe I can sell the other shocks or donate them.

robvas · December 22, 2015

Looks like you overloaded the truck for sure.

Chevor · December 22, 2015

I agree with the suspension specialist you talked to.

Even with my 2500 I warped the rear springs 60,000 miles pulling campers. Upgraded to 3500 Srw springs, air bags, Rancho 9000 shocks and a Rancho steering stabilizer and my ride is the the best it has ever been. Over 720k miles on the truck now.

The other option is to just buy a heavier truck. 3500 SRW would be ideal for heavy weight in bed. Down side would be a stiffer ride.

I wouldn't bother GM to replace the shocks. Just go with an aftermarket, there is much improvement there.

Gofas · December 23, 2015

Yep, admit some fault for sure. Expensive mistake right off. I ordered shocks today. My wife and I will be off work for Christmas. Maybe this will give me some time for install. Excited about the upgrade now that the shocks are on the way.

Guess I'll have to try trailering on large heavy items from here on out. It's the best way to preservequality ride.

I can still do more with this truck than my Tacoma access and we all fit in it comfortably!

Gofas · December 31, 2015

Just installed bilsteins on all four corners. Have nice responsive ride now. It turns out one the rear shocks was blown not both of them. So might been fine with just replacing 2 new rears. But what is done is done. Truck feels stout and sharp in response with less roll in cornering. I think the oem shocks are super cushy just a little light weight and easy to damage. Next mod, I might try a multi leaf expedition springs from atlas.