Ride improvement for 1500HD

Jim McK · June 7, 2005

Is there any way to improve the ride on a 2002 Silverado 1500HD? I hardly ever tow things and rarely ever carry anything heavier than goodies from Home Depot.

The ride is driving me nuts due to the extra HD suspension - especially in the rear. I was thinking maybe I could get the dealer or someone to take out a leaf spring in the back...perhaps that will help.

Anyone ever do this or have suggestions?

MrQuadrasteer · June 8, 2005

Still got factory shocks ?? That should be the first thing you try. That might do it.

I was told you can flip the bottom spring and that will help, but don't know about that firsthand...

Removing a spring is also an option that will work, but it will also reduce your trucks total capacity... You could probably do this yourself if your handy with this sort of stuff....

mmmikkke · June 8, 2005

So you must have the smooth bump, rough bump, neck-slapping ride common to all 8600 gvw trucks. I could never figure out why GM does that... The front suspension is too soft, making the rear suspension seem so stiff.

The 9200 gvw version (2500HD) corrects this problem by putting stiff springs on the front axle too. The ride is better, because it's consistent... rough bump, rough bump. You don't get lulled into relaxation by smooth bump front axle, and then shocked by the rough bump rear axle...

asilverblazer · June 8, 2005

Buy a half ton truck that better suits your needs. They won't have as harsh of a rear suspension.

Colorado Kid · June 8, 2005

Put Bilstien shocks on it and lower the rear tires to 40 PSI (unloaded only ) and you'll definately notice the difference. If that doesn't do it add 800# of sand to the bed and it'll ride like sedan from the 70s.

Mike G · June 9, 2005

Well.. If you remove a spring from the back, it will lower your ride height. If you flip a spring at the bottom of the pack, you may not have the correct mounting surface between the spring pack and the axle. I thought about buying a 1500HD because of the crew cab, then when I found they rode on a 2500 suspension, I figured why bother... Maybe you can put a set of 1500 springs on the back and call it good.

--Mike

firstruck · June 9, 2005

I'm sorta working out the same problem. I've jacked the front Tbars 3.5 turns to raise the front ( changing the wieght distribution on the the four corners), I've up'ed the front tire pressure to 55 psi same in the rear(265/75 nitto tera grapplers). I'm currently looking to make/or find some .25" spacers for the front jounce bumpers on the lower swingarms to get a little preload on the tbars and increase the sping rate as a whole....Generally my truck does ride better than before...of course a new set of Bilstiens didn't hurt

firstruck · June 14, 2005

Update on 1500HD ride improvement program..ongoing...

Couldn't get my local welder guy to make the 1/4" spacers I needed(which are a little more complicated than I thought...duh!) but today i picked up 4, 1/2" fenderwashers to try as a temp. fix/prototype. Installed them(2 per side) between the jounce (snubber) block and frame bracket. (the fenderwashers still allow the little tab to engage) I also took an idea from some smart guy on the forum and used 4, 3/8" washers under the top shock mount to lower the shock about a 1/2"(could probably used 6 or maybe 7 washers?) This seems to have helped, perhaps the most, since I raised the truck via the Tbars, I'm pretty sure the shocks were near the top of thier travel. The ride from a short trip into town has very different the front end is a lot stiffer now and better "matches" the rear springs. My front fenderwell height is right at 36.25" and the truck is level if not a tiny bit higher in front. I'm gonna back down the Tbars an 1/8th of turn at time till I'm satisfied with front height....your results may vary......Tommorrow I've got a road trip so I'll know better the results of my efforts.

Mike G · June 14, 2005

Don't forget to have that baby aligned after adjusting the T-bars, especially if you are taking a road trip.

--Mike

firstruck · June 14, 2005

Don't forget to have that baby aligned after adjusting the T-bars, especially if you are taking a road trip.

--Mike

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'll assume that raising the truck via the tbars mostly effects the toe-in, as the tie rods are effectively shortened? Does anyone know (and care to share) the poor mans toe-in measurement? ie: distance between the rims? so I can roughly get it right? TIA

The truck rides and drives great! (probably that excessive toe-in ) but I do have one last little niggling problem...On small bumps, at speed, there is a metallic clanking sound from the front right about where the tbar adj. bolt is(maybe) I'm assuming its the tbar unloading and then loading up again in the swingarm? any comments?>

MrQuadrasteer · June 14, 2005

Mike, you are quite right about the spring flip I wonder how the block would fit up in there after

Good call. I hadn't even thought about it. I read it somewhere... maybe different set-ups are... umm, different ?!!?

Firstruck, the toe change is minor, not so much to over-concern yourself with. It'll be fine for a few days or even week or two till you got a real alignment.

On the noise, check the bolts that hold the crossmember that's under the engine. When I was having my intermediate shaft done, they told me they had found those bolts loose