Another ride quality question??

Tyler McMillian · December 22, 2017

I’ve searched and can’t find the desired answer I’m looking for. So here it goes... I have a 2015 Silverado 4x4, I have the RC 3.5 lift. I have 22x10s with Atturo MT E load 33x12.50. Just installed the Bilstein 5100 set on stock setting. I noticed a you know what hair difference but did not get the improvement I was hoping for. My question is are the tires or the lift causing my rough ride? Should I stick with a A/T tire, or go with a actual lift and not a over grown leveling kit? Thanks for the input. Please keep the bashing to a minimum. It’s sites like these that are a life saver.

Sierra706 · December 22, 2017

I’ve searched and can’t find the desired answer I’m looking for. So here it goes... I have a 2015 Silverado 4x4, I have the RC 3.5 lift. I have 22x10s with Atturo MT E load 33x12.50. Just installed the Bilstein 5100 set on stock setting. I noticed a you know what hair difference but did not get the improvement I was hoping for. My question is are the tires or the lift causing my rough ride? Should I stick with a A/T tire, or go with a actual lift and not a over grown leveling kit? Thanks for the input. Please keep the bashing to a minimum. It’s sites like these that are a life saver.

If your looking for creamy soft prerunner suspension on public paved roads, your out of luck. You could replace the stock struts with fox, king, etc coilovers and new, softer (less capable) leaf springs and see a mild improvement, but there really is no making these trucks into a Cadillac type ride while still keeping them somewhat capable as haulers/towers and competent in the corners. Those suspension types are designed for high speed impacts and big travel.

I put fox coilovers into my truck with new control arms and didn’t get anything close to what I expected. Yes it’s much smoother and more competent over big bumps on the occasional dirt logging road, but for day to day driving over potholes on paved roads you won’t notice a difference. I also went from P rated 285/45r22s to E rated LT285/70r17 and noticed no difference.

But for your situation, your E rated tire and small sidewall is causing some stiffness. What psi are you running at? A smaller wheel/bigger tire can help with some pothole jiggle. The overgrown level kit does have some negative ride quality over bigger potholes, as the control arm can max out on down travel. You’ll feel that as a harsh impact when your wheels drop down into a rut or after a speed bump.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

aseibel · December 22, 2017

Its the size of your wheels/tires. With 22s you are sacrificing ride quality for looks.

Going back to 20's or 18's with more sidewall would significantly improve the ride.

Grumpy Bear · December 22, 2017

I'm am a user of the King OEM shocks and I find them night and day different. And even if they were not, I'd still buy them. Why? Because they can be tuned every which way a shock can be tuned. You buy a shock/coil over like this and complain...shame on you. Your hands were untied and still act as if they were?

That said Bushleaguechew does make a point about spring rates. These are half ton trucks with one ton capability. The public asked for it and got what it asked for. I can see where a softer spring might not appeal to some but that question is one you need to answer. I used Deaver to make new leaves. Lost about 10-15% of spring rate or a few hundred pounds of carry capacity. For me this was a great trade. These are far more compliant due to the fact they are made with 13 leaves instead of 3. If I found I really could not live with the load loss, I'd bag the back. The type that recess into a nest when not needed and have the best of both worlds. A softer spring only means a loss of tow haul IF your thinking is ridged.

King OEM are supplied with a 700# coil. That's more coil that what came on my truck. There are other rates available. Sulastic hangers are a plus. King OEM are a 2" minimum lift. Deaver will give you whatever you little heart desires. Filthy Motorsports with tune you to your result. Talk tires and wheels over with Ben and really listen.

I run 17" factory rubber and 30 psig. Yes the door sticker says 35. It's also sprung as a one ton with shocks no one would put on a farm wagon. That factory number is set at the tires 110 load rating for maximum load. Unless you drive around all day every day with a ton in the bed....Just say''n.

Here's a mistake many people make. Thinking that your ride, IF firm, will also be harsh. Not true. Second biggest mistake is thinking IF your suspension is soft it will be comfortable. What is true is a suspension well dampened will be comfortable but the suspension must be able to be tuned. That may require a spring change. Think of it like putting eye drops in with a fire hose. It can be done but with poor results. Do you really need a fire hose?

You can get what you want. You have to be wiling to do what it takes. Those that believe it's all or nothing I suggest are being ridged in their scope of thought. Mine rides like a car and hauls like a truck. So it's been done.

Parting thought. As you seem to be okay with lifts the above will actually work better for you than it did for me. I made this as hard as possible on Ben asking for a drop. It really complicated things.

redwngr · December 22, 2017

I had 2 sets of wheels/tires for my last 1500.

20" with factory all seasons

17" for winter use, with factory size K02's

Easily noticeable improvement in the ride when the 17" are installed.

The 2 sizes are the same outside diameter -- as the rim gets bigger the side wall gets smaller.

Sports car guys will tell you that lower sidewalls will corner/handle better, but provide a harsher ride.

Trade off is ride vs handling.

For some it is ride vs looks.

Tyler McMillian · December 23, 2017

I typically run around 35 psi. It just amazes me how the Ford F-150 with the same setup rides so much better. Is there something they did differently than gm? Thanks for all the responses!

Grumpy Bear · December 23, 2017

11 hours ago, redwngr said:

Sports car guys will tell you that lower sidewalls will corner/handle better, but provide a harsher ride.

Trade off is ride vs handling.

Indy car wheels are 15 X 10 front, 15 X 14 rear. Not much problem handling. 5.5 g cornering forces. Fact is I've never seen a pro race car with 22's. That's a Fast and Furious thing.

Grumpy Bear · December 23, 2017

2 hours ago, Tyler McMillian said:

It just amazes me how the Ford F-150 with the same setup rides so much better. Is there something they did differently than gm? Thanks for all the responses!

Yep coil springs out back instead of leaves.

Sierra706 · December 23, 2017

Yep coil springs out back instead of leaves.

Ram has the coil springs.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Grumpy Bear · December 23, 2017

2 minutes ago, Bushleaguechew said:

Ram has the coil springs.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ops, you're right. I'll eat my crow and head for my hole now.

austingta · December 23, 2017

2 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Yep coil springs out back instead of leaves.

2 hours ago, Bushleaguechew said:

Ram has the coil springs.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I drive a 2017 Ram 1500 4x4 Laramie with 20 inch wheels and stock tires, and one extra option: 4 corner air suspension. Talk about night and day difference. I traded the Denali in my signature for it last June. I absolutely love it. I have a Cadillac ride at all loads and auto level to boot.

I'm going to order a new 2019 just as soon as it's possible.