How to soften ride?

[Milbikes]

My M1008 has tie down loops in the bed, a large electrical cable going into the bed, and an aluminum table/rack in the bed. The rear springs look fairly new (Part number stickers on them). I think it may have had some type of equipment mounted in it?

It rides high, and is stiff as can be on bumps. What can I do to soften my ride? I have grown used to the top speed (Or lack of), but the jarring on my spine is hard to take.

Suggestions appreciated. H.

 

[NICK_M1009]

Maybe you could take a few leaves out of there witch would lower the stance in the back and possibly give you a better ride. I would be carefull, I dont know what it would do to the axle wrap. Or replace spring's.

 

[wkbrdngsnw]

You could put softer leaf springs in there and if load was every a problem you could add some air springs. Trucks come a little stiff in the rear to anticipate the load they carry. That's one of the reasons that a lot of vehicles have air suspension these days. Turns out suspension deflection is related to spring rate so a give ride height corresponds to a suspension frequency and frequency is a primary factor in how a vehicle "rides."

 

[gimpyrobb]

Lower tire pressure.

 

[southdave]

big ass pillow???

 

[NICK_M1009]

Lower tire pressure.

Not a bad idea.. It's the easiest and cheapest thing to do. Your truck probly has E sidewalls and when you carry a heavy load air them back up.

 

[Matt65]

The condition of my front springs were at about a 2 inch sag when I bought the 1008. This meant there was no soft travel left in them, and like you, my back took a beating. Since installing the lift and tires the ride has improved GREATLY. Lift details in my signature. If your not interested in the lift, then you may want to get new factory springs that are not 25 years old. The engine weight has a way of settling them over time. Be sure to replace all the rubber bushings as well. If it's like my truck anything made of rubber was missing or in very poor shape. The Poly versions are firmer, but should last longer than the factory rubber.

 

[jimmy-90]

Not a bad idea.. It's the easiest and cheapest thing to do. Your truck probly has E sidewalls and when you carry a heavy load air them back up.

I agree. When I took the secm body off of my M1028 and put a much lighter flat bed body on it that caused the rear end of the truck to have a dangerous bounce at about 50 psi of air. After I aired the back tires down to 32-35 psi it ran great. You mentioned something about an aluminum table and large wire in the bed and the back springs being beefed up. Do you think maby it was modified to carry alot of welding equipment? Also does it have a pick up bed or something else?

 

[Cucvnut]

New shocks

 

[doghead]

Buy a Prius

 

[Milbikes]

Well, I guess if I bought a Prius and put it in the bed of the truck, that would soften the ride. But then where would I put my dual .30 cal rig?

 

[Recovry4x4]

big ass pillow???

Is that a big ass or a big pillow?

 

[OL AG '89]

I think the M1008 probably has a "helper" leaf. If you take that out, you could soften the ride. The truck is designed to carry a load. I have a '08 GMC 3500, that beats me to death when empty. If I load the bed, or put the gooseneck on, the ride softens considerably. So maybe put 10,000 rounds of .30 in it and you should be fine!!!

 

[Iceman3005]

Cut a hole in the top of the prius and mount the 30 cal there!

 

[original]

Changing out the springs is the only way to drastically soften the ride. I swapped mine out for lighter springs (in order to correct the chevy lean) and added a load only spring helper. The spring helper mounts on top and has no tension unless loaded. I also added new shocks (OEM). The truck rides more like a half ton truck. Still a little rough, but I can tolerate it.

 

[original]

Check out JC whitney for leaf springs. I had mine made at a local shop, but I should have ordered them based on the price difference.

 

[Cucvnut]

buy a newer truck ?

 

[Milbikes]

I like the 10,000 rounds idea best!