better ride suspension

[dec010974]

Hello to all. I have 1980, C10 with a 5/7 or 5/8 drop. The Front has 3 inch Belltech Drop spindles, 2 inch CPP Lowering Springs, with Belltech 2103HA Shocks. The rear has a flip Kit, 1-2 inch Lowering Shackles, Stock leaf Springs (3 Leafs + thick helper leaf), with a 1 inch lowering block and Belltech 2208HF Shocks. I Love the stance. The C10 is Leveled and it rides on 18x8 Wheels, with 255/18/40 Tires. Here is were it goes south. The ride is cool and smooth on a smooth surface road, but when it hits a bump or uneven pavement, its kindy bouncy or bobbly. The suspension is very giving/bobbly when it hits a bump. The bouncy/bobbly doesn't last long, but I want to make it a better ride. I don't know if I'm describing it correctly in car terms, but I'm sure someone knows what I am experiencing. Maybe I'm expecting it to ride like my 2015 suburban, which im sure it never will, but can the suspension be better than it is? I thought about changing the old leaf springs for a new set, with Ridetech Shocks, all the way around. I dont know if that will work. I don't want spend $$$ and get similar results. Suspension gurus please help a brother out. Thanks in advance, Clark

[dec010974]

Here's what I have. She's not the prettiest girl at the party but she's mine. Thanks for chiming in. All suggestion are welcomed and appreciated. Hopefully this thread can help others out also.

[bbbc10]

only way to make it ride better is to go with air ride.....it rides like the way it does cause its lowered.....all that new stuff doesn't mean its going to be a smooth ride

[lolife99]

How about some pics of the suspension.
Bump stops removed?
C-notch in the rear?

[bbbc10]

Plus them small tires make for ruff ride also

[JohnJ@RideTech]

A good set of shocks would make a world of difference in the way your truck rides and you shouldn't have to make any other drastic changes.
A set of shocks with some rebound adjustment like our HQ pieces will allow you to slow down the rebound travel and drastically reduce or eliminate that "wobble" that you are experiencing now.
If you can get me a mount to mount measurement at ride height, I will see what I can come up with for you.

[dec010974]

Hello to all. Thanks for chiming in. @Lolife99, Yes I have a C-Notch in the rear. The bump stop for the was cut out, to install the C-Notch. The bump stops for the front, on the control arms, where left in place. Shall I remove the bump stops from the control arms? As for pics, its your standard installed, static, lowering set up. If you can tell me what you would see, I'll post a pic, ASAP. @bbc10, I plan to install 20 inch wheels once I get the suspension issues resolved. I will definitely buy tires that have a 50 series wall, such as 255/20/50. I have also pondered the idea of IFS, IRS. I don't know if this would help my bouncy/bobly issue. My thoughts, a 40 year old suspension is 40 years old. Its supposed to ride like crap. That why we buy new cars, improvements in technology. All I want is a suspension I can enjoy, with a low ride height, without braking the bank. Is that too much to ask for? Thanks for all your help.

[SCOTI]

A 50 series tire will help vs the 40 series but your going to creep into a taller combo switching to 20's vs what you have now. Additional concerns will need to be considered up front (clearance @ inner fender wells).

I'm betting you're pretty close on the front bump-stop. It's easy enough to check & see how much clearance is there visually. The more clearance, the better the ride.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by dec010974

Hello to all. Thanks for chiming in. @Lolife99, Yes I have a C-Notch in the rear. The bump stop for the was cut out, to install the C-Notch. The bump stops for the front, on the control arms, where left in place. Shall I remove the bump stops from the control arms? As for pics, its your standard installed, static, lowering set up. If you can tell me what you would see, I'll post a pic, ASAP.

No need to waste your time with pics.
If the front suspension is banging the bumpstops all the time the ride will be crappy.
I ususally remove the rubber bumpstop and the metal stand off the lower a-arm. (I try to leave enough metal for the steering stop to contact the spindle.)
You also need to re-think those 255/50-20 tires up front. That's a 30" tall tire. which will be fine if you remove the inner fenders. Not sure if you will have issues turning with a low static drop. I try to stick with a 27" tall tire up front if you keep your inner fenders. (245/40-20 or 255/40-20)

Good luck.

[dec010974]

@SCOTI, thanks for the info. I guess I'll remove the front bumb stops from the lower control arms for additional clearance. @Lolife, aahhhh, The nail might be in the coffin. thinking, about your post, hhhmmm. You guys are smart about this suspension stuff.