$700 spent still a bouncy t@#d

Stan's Customs · October 17, 2004

Morning gents...

I have recently purchased a new 1997 Silverado 3 door stepside x-cab. Yep I said "new" 1997...or as close as they come to new , it's mint showroom condition.

It's black, its drop dead beautiful, it runs like a scalded ape and it rides like a bare cab and chassis. What happened to GM's ride. I still have my 1980 Silverado short wide bed that I bought when I was a line mechanic for a Cadillac/ GM Truck dealer back in 1980....the ride on that relic puts this '97 to shame! I really didn't need another truck....just ready for a change and wanted the extended cab...and this beauty came along. I have 3 one ton wreckers that arn't all that much worse ride than this thing...but they are custom built etc. etc.

This truck was all GM when I bought it...so I hought why not keep it original...and ordered new GM shocks figuring that the ride was just because the shocks were ready to be replaced. "Wrong"...So after checking a few on line forums out decided to try some Monroe Sensatracs (didn't like the cost of the Edelbrock ISC's)...the Sensatracs are still a lousy ride and in my opinion no better than the new stock GM shocks every body cusses......in fact firmer if anything.

OK...so maybe after thirty years of working on these things...maybe I'm mistaking tires for a shock problem...never dreaming that Chevrolet had a ride that couldn't be fixed easily. So, I had a new set of BF Goodrich 255/70 Radial TA's mounted (and balanced of course) . Arrrhhh....waste of time, the new ones were a little stiffer than the old tires if anything, once again.

So I talked to the local frame and spring shop (60 years in business)...they said that they inverted the bottom overload spring on about 2 of these trucks a week and had good results with that. OK... so I had them invert the over load spring...(they recommend turning them over rather than removing them to avoid spring wrap on the remaing springs.) Well...that helped on harsh dips, speed bumps, pot holes and the like. Still hops down the highway like frog .....will nearly make you motion sick on a monotonous highway run with expansion joints.

Okey Dokey...I'll fix that, I'll just throw some more money at it and buy a set of Velvet Ride shackels....every forum I could find raves about their effect on unloaded trucks. Well maybe on 3/4 tons or something...but they were a waste of money on this little 2wd truck. Not to say it didn't change the ride a little...just very little. Still a toad.

Is there anybody out there that has made one of these little trucks ride like they used to ride...smooth till they hit the overloads and needed to stiffen up??

And pleasee.... don't bore me with the comfortable ride is for old men and you like a trucky' stiff ride or some other childish crap. I'm talking about an engineering problem that needs to be addressed with these trucks that can make them where you don't load them down to enjoy a trip. They made 'em that way for years...and since I'm in this deep I might throw some more money at this one if it can be fixed.

Thanks to any and all who may have any input for this issue....Stan M.

vhato · October 17, 2004

Hmmm,

You tried everything I can think of. The only 2 things that come to mind now is:

1. Verify you ar runing 32 PSI in the tires

2. Replace the rear spring packs with thinner leaf springs from Deaver I am assuming you have a spring pack made of 3 leaf springs and an overload. Dropping to a 2 spring pack with an overload or a spring pack made of 3 thinner springs made be the answer.

budhayes3 · October 17, 2004

Hey Stan, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear that you don't like the ride of your new truck, it sounds cherry...post some pics if you get the chance. One thing I can tell you, if you're looking for a softer ride, don't get the Edelbrock IAS's. I've heard they're a great shock, gonna get em myself, but they provide a very firm ride. Sorry I don't have any other words of wisdom, but I'm sure someone here has had similar experiences, hopefully we'll get your ride softenend up.

Stan's Customs · October 18, 2004

Hmmm,
You tried everything I can think of. The only 2 things that come to mind now is:

1. Verify you ar runing 32 PSI in the tires

2. Replace the rear spring packs with thinner leaf springs from Deaver I am assuming you have a spring pack made of 3 leaf springs and an overload. Dropping to a 2 spring pack with an overload or a spring pack made of 3 thinner springs made be the answer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks vhato..

I looked into the Deaver springs, pricey but that may be the last resort...if I had the specs on the Deaver springs I might even be able to have them duplicated here..cheaply. Pretty much a crap shoot or trial and error without having already put together a package (like the Deaver Pkg). I hate to go $600 plus shipping on something as heavy as leaf springs. I had hoped there would be a simple solution...(simple =cheap...I wish, Fat chance harde..har har). Any way it is a viable solution and might beat selling the truck. I'll never find a nicer one...at any price, so I may bite the bullet and go the x-tra expense.

Garcia monsignor...Stan

Stan's Customs · October 18, 2004

Hey Stan, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear that you don't like the ride of your new truck, it sounds cherry...post some pics if you get the chance. One thing I can tell you, if you're looking for a softer ride, don't get the Edelbrock IAS's. I've heard they're a great shock, gonna get em myself, but they provide a very firm ride. Sorry I don't have any other words of wisdom, but I'm sure someone here has had similar experiences, hopefully we'll get your ride softenend up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the welcome Bud..

I will get some pics posted tomorrow..its time for its bath and I didn't have time to wash it today..

I am really pleased to hear the information on the Edelbrock shocks...saved me another chunk....kinda what I thought anyway from hints here and there.

Much obliged....

.......Stan

St_Anger · October 18, 2004

My folks have a '92 Sierra extended cab (5.7 liter 2wd) and I've never noticed the harsh ride, while it doesn't ride like a Caddy (thank god) it's not 1/2 as harsh as my friends lowered Mustang. The truck even has air bags (Air Lift Assist) that are set to 18 psi. So I really don't see your problems, of course I'm only 21 years old LOL.

hvac1000 · October 18, 2004

Get Velvet Ride shackles. It will solve your problem

Stan's Customs · October 18, 2004

My folks have a '92 Sierra extended cab (5.7 liter 2wd) and I've never noticed the harsh ride, while it doesn't ride like a Caddy (thank god) it's not 1/2 as harsh as my friends lowered Mustang. The truck even has air bags (Air Lift Assist) that are set to 18 psi. So I really don't see your problems, of course I'm only 21 years old LOL.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Trust me St Anger...

There is a problem. My 33 year od son has a '93 GMC x-cab short bed fleetside...no ride issues there... just like your parents ride. Seems like a lot of the later models have this problem, as per different truck forums. I doubt that any are any "worse" than this one however..hence the search for a cure if there is

one.

I keep a pickup because it is a necessity, moderate hauling , several trailers, boat etc...I have also had several cadillacs and a Town Car or two...no pickup will ever ride like either of them nor do I expect them too. I'd settle for a ride similar to the 1980 swb Silverado, I mentioned earlier, in a heart beat..unfortunately I am beginning to think even that is not obtainable, at least affordably with this model. That is the problem.

Just for the record...let me be the first on the block to get a stock pickup that rides like a Caddy when they come around..I would indeed (thank God) for such a blessing....not only that, since Stan's Customs is a rod shop, I'd figure it was a regular miracle.....and I've had a few that rode pretty darn good. Like I mentioned my wreckers don't miss this ride quality much..partly because of air assist etc. Wonder why your parents truck has air Lift Assist bags..could it be to improve ride quality?? Hmm...

Since I have had the luxury of some fine older custom rides..I have a problem with a perfect , like new truck riding like a tank. For some reason this die hard Chevy man expects more of Detroit and modern technology...not less.

Not sure what you being 21 has to do with your perception of this problem......of course I'm 56 and senility may have already set in?? LOL

Stan's Customs · October 18, 2004

Get Velvet Ride shackles. It will solve your problem

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks hvac1000..I thought they would solve the problem as well

As per my first post...they were barely any help. I know that on many 4x4's and 3/4 ton empty laden 2wh trucks, many have had good luck with the Velvet ride shackle.....perhaps the heavier trucks benefit more.

Needless to say I was surprised to see such little difference on this x-cab 2wd step side (i.e. sportside) after such good reviews.

Thanks for the input though...they seemed like the perfect solution....Stan

citydriver · October 18, 2004

How many miles do you have on this CREAM-PUFF?

Has it ever been in a wreck that you know of? Are the body mounts tight and in good condition?

How do the control arm bushings look? Are they dried out?

Has the alignment been checked lately?

Have you tried to drive the truck with the shocks disconnected to see how it rides? (at slower speeds obviously because handling will be severely affected )

Just a thought