Shocks?

[matuva]

Hi all;

a buddy owns a 1996 K1500. This truck is hard at work, being used in a farm.

Most of the time, the bed is full.

He puts suspension helpers (Timbren kit -rubber pads), but he notice that the frame has bent a few --- He thinks the Rancho shocks didn't do their job properly--- not sure he's right but...

Anyways, he is so wondering what kind of shocks can help in case of carrying heavy loads.

I think he may use the BILSTEIN, with a spring helper kit suh as the Hellwig kit (1 extra leaf)... That should avoid bending the frame at least.

Any thought?

 

[Schwind]

You might try putting air ride suspension under it. A lot of the farmers around here put it on their trucks. They are not that expensive either. I have seen some of the air ride systems for as little as $250.00 US

 

[SnowDrift]

I second the air.

I'm fully against the helper spring you're talking about. They're nice up to about 500# or so, but after that, you're worse off than without it at all. The physics of the design, just doesn't lend itself well to giving an advantage with heavy weight.

 

[matuva]

I bet you're both talking about the ride-rite air helper like the one from Firestone?

This guy already have a Timbren kit (same as air but not adjustable), and I'm afraid that's why his frame has bent---

 

[Schwind]

I don't know how he has bent his frame, but if it's the frame giving him problems I would have to say. About the only thing you could do is straighten it and then box it in with some 3/16" flat plate.

This is the air system that a friend of mine has installed.

http://airliftcompany.com/load_support_index.html

 

[DieselS10]

I used to have that kit on my truck. They work great, but the ride qaulity suffered a little even with the minimum 5psi that they recommend.

 

[Acesneights1]

I have always used Rancho shocks. Seen a few broken shock studs from hardcore four wheelin but otherwise thought they were great shocks.

 

[nvmtnlion]

I have the Bilstiens and they are great. Not the smoothest ride but no more rolling like a pig going around corners.

 

[matuva]

Thanks for your posts.
I let him know, and the guy has choosen the Bilstein route + add-a-leaf kit.

I also recomend him to straigthen back his frame and re-inforce it with steel plates---

 

[Turbine Doc]

far better than air IMO is www.activesuspension.com mine has been on it 5 years now, with 5000# on rear axle it sits dead level and when bed is empty you don't know it is there no change to ride at all, plus you don't have to air up or down to tow, or load the bed just hook up or add weight to the bed and go,

 

[SnowDrift]

Thanks for your posts.
I let him know, and the guy has choosen the Bilstein route + add-a-leaf kit.

I also recomend him to straigthen back his frame and re-inforce it with steel plates---

add a leaf - bad move:nono:

 

[matuva]

add a leaf - bad move:nono:

 

[chi2]

x2

The previous owner (PO) installed an add-a-leaf, and also upgraded to Billstiens in the front (don't know what shocks are in the rear). The PO may have also cranked the torsion keys, but I am not sure about that.. Why are these bad ?

One thing I noticed: my truck's ride is much more harsh than other K1500 6.5s that I have driven. This observation, however, is not based on a lot of trucks, so maybe all the 6.5s will rattle your fillings out. :hypnotized:

If I got rid of the add-a-leaf, would my trucks ride smooth out?

add a leaf - bad move:nono:

 

[JMJNet]

I think Matuva's objective is to increase strength not ride.

It looks like the link provided by TD may be the answer instead of add a leaf.