Lost and CONFUSED

Ret Grunt · December 9, 2017

17 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

True and good point. I'm about one spring rate change from perfect. (front). Starting about page 18 of my build thread if you interested.

I have skimmed thru it, mostly looking at the pictures. I'm not seeking perfection, just improvement.

Guess I was being a little lazy and wanted the benefits of somebody else's work

BronzeSierra · December 9, 2017

As mentioned before, with 20" rims you don't have as much tire sidewall as 17/18" of the same outside diameter. Therefore, less tire flex causing a stiffer ride with slightly quicker steering response. On my 2015 Z71 package(factory rancho shocks) with 18's the ride is fine.

Your Corvette is a prime example of a firm ride. Those low profile tires make it ride like it's on rails, along with a major lower center of gravity compared to the truck. Taller tires would yield a softer ride, not that one would do that to a Corvette.lol

Take a test drive with one that has 17" or 18" and see for yourself.

Grumpy Bear · December 9, 2017

1 hour ago, Ret Grunt said:

I have skimmed thru it, mostly looking at the pictures. I'm not seeking perfection, just improvement.

Guess I was being a little lazy and wanted the benefits of somebody else's work

You don't have to go as far as I did to get a measurable result. There are more economical shocks that are an improvement over anything factory, not just the Rancho's. Lot's of site readers here sing the praises of Bilstein, Bell Tech, Fox and even Gabriel. Buy as much as you feel is appropriate for your needs. I like KYB when they have one that fist my application. Sulastic spring hangers make a marked difference to stock leaves and much cheaper than what I did. 17's or 18 wheels. Thing is, and you know this already, it isn't one thing. It's a concert of smaller things. While I hate adding weigh to anything it is actually a ride tamer when stock leaf springs are in play. Michelins Defender, Continental Cross Contact and Pirelli Scorpion Verde are all good tires with nicer rides.

amxguy1970 · December 9, 2017

Did you not test drive it before buying? Could have easily bought another smoother riding SUV and a utility trailer for projects. Trucks are made to carry a ton in the bed and tow 6 tons, they are going to ride rough, never understand all the people that complain about it coming from luxury vehicles. Either way, you can change the shocks, it will help. Ranchos aren't near as bad as some make the sound they are just uniformed (hey OJ, you going to become a sponsor and give everyone your employee discount at Bilstein?), but they are stiffer as most companies off road trucks are unless it is the special edition ones made for higher speed running where those are softer (Raptor, ZR2, Rebel).

A note about the bilstein and level recommendation since you mention maybe getting a level with your taller tires, if you go that route that some will suggest you are pre-loading the spring so it will be stiffer in some instances and better in others if you go to the highest setting. If it were me I would go up an inch in tire size to a nicer street tire (Michelin is an excellent recommendation) that will be better geared towards comfort and give you some more sidewall to absorb bumps. To give the extra space I would add a spacer, probably 1.5 inches. Spacers don't mess with ride if they mount to the top or bottom of the strut as they don't touch the spring or shock. That way you have the clearance for the slightly larger tires. If the isn't enough you can replace the shocks, I would go with a more off road shock setup from Fox, King or Icon, something more geared towards higher speed off roading, these will be softer (think Raptor shocks). There might be shocks that are geared more towards a nicer ride but I would think they would be called touring and those to me tend to think about handling as well which also might not be a ton softer than the stock ranchos. Those two should make it much more tolerable, worse come to you can get a new set of coils and leafs also geared towards higher speed off roading which will also be softer but then if you tow or haul you will squat more and handling will go down.

Try those steps, just be leary of the shocks that also allow you to level it with adjustments as it will stiffen the spring and ride in some areas, more so on the larger bumps than the short quick jolts if that makes sense from my experience and what I have heard/read.

Good luck, next time might be a good idea to test drive a little more over other roads and see, this sounded almost like an impulse buy.

Tyler

Ret Grunt · December 9, 2017

IOn the vette, I had the sway bar changed to thicker ones, as well as getting rid of the original goodyear tires for Michelin PS2, and carbon fiber ground effects. It's set up for road courses.

I guess if I'm to keep the stock rims like I want to do, I'll be keeping the bumps too. So I'll just try to lessen the blow

3 hours ago, BronzeSierra said:

As mentioned before, with 20" rims you don't have as much tire sidewall as 17/18" of the same outside diameter. Therefore, less tire flex causing a stiffer ride with slightly quicker steering response. On my 2015 Z71 package(factory rancho shocks) with 18's the ride is fine.

Your Corvette is a prime example of a firm ride. Those low profile tires make it ride like it's on rails, along with a major lower center of gravity compared to the truck. Taller tires would yield a softer ride, not that one would do that to a Corvette.lol

Quote

Take a test drive with one that has 17" or 18" and see for yourself.

4 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

True and good point. I'm about one spring rate change from perfect. (front). Starting about page 18 of my build thread if you interested.

I have skimmed thru it, mostly looking at

1 hour ago, Grumpy Bear said:

You don't have to go as far as I did to get a measurable result. There are more economical shocks that are an improvement over anything factory, not just the Rancho's. Lot's of site readers here sing the praises of Bilstein, Bell Tech, Fox and even Gabriel. Buy as much as you feel is appropriate for your needs. I like KYB when they have one that fist my application. Sulastic spring hangers make a marked difference to stock leaves and much cheaper than what I did. 17's or 18 wheels. Thing is, and you know this already, it isn't one thing. It's a concert of smaller things. While I hate adding weigh to anything it is actually a ride tamer when stock leaf springs are in play. Michelins Defender, Continental Cross Contact and Pirelli Scorpion Verde are all good tires with nicer rides.

the pictures. I'm not seeking perfection, just improvement.

Guess I was being a little lazy and wanted the benefits of somebody else's work

Ret Grunt · December 9, 2017

GMs SUV' s are on truck frames, in fact they are having SERIOUS ride problems with them for the last few years. 1 reason I got the truck is I live in the sticks. So when I needed something hauled, I had to darn near kiss as_ to get it done. The worst part is when people see what you have outside the bank, they try to figure how much they can make off you (at least that is what I have e,experienced here).

Whatever I do, I'll have to consider my wife as well, so I know I won't be putting a "crazy" lift on it, and personally, I don't like loud tires. I'm happy with the exhaust (Borla). Tire wise, I want my stock rims, I know they will limit tire width, I'm just not sure how tall a tire I can put on them. I got some research to do.

I've owned quite a few vehicles, and have been lucky with mods, I see what I want and go for it. I've spent $$$ cause I'm no mechanic, I was a Ground Roving Unit Network Terminator? that said, "What Do I Do First?

redwngr · December 10, 2017

IMHO, a lot of the ride issues on the SUV's are also due to the 20's that are so popular.

Ret Grunt · December 10, 2017

22s are the popular size. The SUV s vibrate, pop, and make noise. They also have problems with tires not being round.

When I talk about the condition of the roads and piss poor maintenance, it's just not only here in VA, it's the whole country! Having driven on highways overseas, ours are a disgrace...PERIOD! Our best would not compare to Germany, heck, I've been on better roads in Nigeria!

I've narrowed down the tire size, what I'll do next is decide which tire, and after that choose how I'll raise it. I want to fill up the wheel well as much as possible without sticking out any. I also want to ensure that the misses will have no problem getting in or out. No matter what I want, I gotta make sure she has no problems ? especially since she has NEVER driven the vette.

Enough · December 10, 2017

Not a cheap shot and not calling anyone stupid. It's a truck. We all mod them to suit our needs and no two of us same the same needs.

The manufacturers have done a great job increasing ride quality while maintaining load carrying capacity but they are still trucks. Leaf springs and a boxed ladder frame are still a far cry from unibodies and coil springs.

Ret, very sorry to hear about your health issues. In your shoes I doubt that I would have any rational thoughts left.

Take a little time and read through the pages of Grumpy Bear's post starting around page 18 as he mentioned in his post above. It might help give you some direction.

Best of luck to you !!

Ret Grunt · December 10, 2017

I'm going to take the time and read it. Yeah, it's a truck, and it serves the purpose I got it for and I don't regret getting it. Gotta quit crying and start enjoying. With my luck, I'll waste time deciding what to do, and miss out doing what I could have done...Drive and enjoy.

Ret Grunt · December 10, 2017

I read the last 4 pages of Grumpy Bear's build. I had admitted I'm no mechanic, and now it's been verified! I APOLOGIZE to anyone that wasted their time reading my post. In the pass if I saw something about a vehicle I liked, I paid to have it done, but compared to his work, mine was minor. I never got that involved with any work to include cleaning? if I was back in indiana, I'd go by his house, claim my truck wouldn't start and leave it.? I got all the luxury in a vehicle I need or want. I don't do any off roading (only got 4x4 in case I needed to go back to Indiana in the winter) so,I don t think I need off road shocks or mudders. I just might look for a tire the fills the wheel well without rubbing or sticking out and will fit stock rims and put the dog in the back seat, the wife on the passenger side and DRIVE THE HELL OUT OF THIS THING!!!!

PUTTING ON MY BIG BOY PANTS and ENDING THE PITY PARTY

FL335i · December 10, 2017

1- If you have a Z71 which comes with Rancho shocks.... Here's your sign. As others has already stated, they ride like rubbish. Try a non-Z71 OEM shock.

2- If you have 20's.... that's going to make things worse. I purposely bought my LT with 18's. 18's have more tire options and less likely to damage the wheels on my job sites.

3- check tire pressure. I run E-load 10 ply KO2's that weight 60 Lbs each vs the SRA's which weighed 35lbs. I run the front at 45 and rear at 40 when empty. When towing trailers I do 50F/50R. My stock SRA's were 35/35. I ran the front at 35 and the rear at 32 which yielded a good wear pattern on the paint test and did soften the rear jarring over bumps some.

4- Run a "P" rated tire, not a "LT" as my Ko's2 are.

5- We have rear leafs. If you want a soft riding truck, the RAM is the way to go with rear coils. A ram with "P" rated tires and their smallest available standard wheel size would yield the smoothest riding truck. Or maybe a Honda Ridge-line depending on your need for capability.

My wife has a '15 Buick Enclave Leather. We drive that on the weekends and for vacation and road trips. My family is not fond of my truck's ride, especially post KO2 install, and the slight 75-80 Chevy shakes just make their opinion even worse. I found a local Kaufman tire shop that had a 9700 Hunter RF balance machine and a very good tech. I did both my truck and Buick the same day. After 36k, the Buick had a slight vibration on the hwy, after the RF balance that I witnessed, all tires are under 9Lbs of RF, it rides like glass. I'm very fond of the Buick Enclave's suspension tuning and ride quality. It's not the old 1980's Buicks that I grew up with that were super soft. I've owned MB, an E39 M, and an E90 335i BMW (all at the same time). I've never liked MB suspension. Of course, my wife picked the MB out. They ride stiff as crap thinking that's "sporty". BMW has always had better suspension quality vs MB IMO. Soft on the daily driving and t hen when you get to going it's stiff. I've owned and driven a lot of cars, trucks and SUV's, our Enclave has a remarkable suspension and ride. If you want a good riding SUV, skip the RWD body on frame SUV and get the Enclave. My only regreat on the Enclave is I looked high and low in FL for a AWD version, could not find one. The thing burns out real easy, it's got some power.... very fun to drive. Get the AWD and Trailer package.

Ret Grunt · December 10, 2017

Thanks for all the tips! I'm not going to rush and do anything. The wife never complained about the ride, the dog doesn't care as long as he can stick his head out of a window? and in hindsight, I'm just seeking a reason to personalize it, yet not wanting to make some of the changes suggested (gotta keep my rims), and I've ridden in worst

.

Thanks again for all the good tips

Loco-diablo · December 12, 2017

My Z71 has GY Duratrac 265/65R18's with Ranchero. While not the best ride in the world, I'm happy with it on all the crappy roads here in MA. The Duratracs are not nearly as load as I had expected when i laid eyes on them. It rides, well, like a truck.

L86 All Terrain · December 12, 2017

The wheels/tires make most of the difference (in trucks anyway). I had 18" rims w/ 33" 10 plys on my 2010 before I sold it, now I have 20" rims w/33 10 plys on my 2015. The 2010 was night and day more plush over the sharp, jarring type bumps like potholes or asphalt breaks. When I went from the stock 2015 P-rated 275-55r20 to a 10 ply 33x12.5 it made a world of difference. The sidewall is now tall and stiff enough not to "ping" the wheel on bumps, and is now all around more capable. A D load in a bigger size would probably offer the best all around comfort. Shocks wont do much for you unless you are buying a true Coil-over like a Fox or King. You will never get the ride of a Yukon in a pick-up unless you run that type of rear suspension. Perhaps look into a Dodge as they use a SUV rear suspension in their half ton "trucks", while far less capable they ride like clouds on a day to day basis, and I never thought I would say a Dodge rides nice.