Improving ride on a 4x4

[Mattchu60]

Hey All,

I'm always looking to improve my truck. I drive it to work and back 1-2 times a week, which is around 50 miles round trip each time. I notice that these trucks do not ride nearly as good as the newer trucks do, I assume its mostly due to the strait front axle for the 4x4, and just it being an older design.

Is there anything that can be done to improve ride? Older roads can be pretty rough sometimes! I put new Monroe sensatrack shocks on last year, fyi. I have load range E tires, which are pretty stiff, so I assume thats probably part of the problem as well.

 

[89Suburban]

I always wondered about doing a spring under axle setup on the front like the jeeps have. To try and keep it close to stock height but improve the ride a little.

 

[Jims86]

I think the only option is to get rid of the leafs, and go with a trailing link/coil spring setup on the front. other tna that, it is what it is.

 

[skysurfer]

Ditching the E-rated tires will help a lot. I did that with a 2500 Express van and it made a big difference. Don't expect miracles though, it's still a solid axle truck and will never ride like a Cadillac.

 

[austinado16]

Man, how can you not love that ride? It's the real deal baby, none of this mamby-pamby modern truck ride. You sir, own a real truck. Be about it!!

I've got ours set up as stiff as I can. Extra-Load tires (General Grabbers) aired to their max pressure, and I've added leafs to the rear along with a BIG rear sway bar.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[bucket]

Softer tires and the weight of a big block would help the ride a lot. Then you would have more power as a very nice side effect, lol.

 

[austinado16]

Ours had some really soft tires on it when I bought it in '04. My gawd, it was like driving on marshmallows. It literally drifted back and forth in the lane at 55mph and from behind, looked like a drunk was at the wheel. I thought it had all sorts of steering issues, nope. Extra Loads cured it.