Improving C20 Ride Quality on the cheap

[cLaWz]

Is it even possible (on the cheap anyway.. anything is possible with the right amount of money)? Right now you can tell my C20 is setup to haul and it makes sense seeing as how it was a ranch truck for a long while before we got it. Is there anything I can do to improve the ride quality on the cheap since it won't be seeing anywhere near the work or loads the PO put it through? Did a search and pretty much everything I came up with involved bagging, etc.

Bagging and lowering may be in the future but it will be a long long while before that happens. Focus right now is on getting it running well and back on the road but I figured if I could do something simple I might as well. Got a bunch of speedbumps in the neighborhood that I hate going over since as soon rear hits em and its like hold on to your seat because it's so stiff.

Front


Rear


Thanks

[N2TRUX]

My guess is one of the best ways to improve it would be take a look at the tires you have. From the pics they appear to be "load rated" and probably have a pretty stiff sidewall.

See if you can't fine a good deal on some late model take offs that have a softer sidewall.

Beyond that, you could put C-10 coils in the front, and remove a few leafs from the rear pack.

New shocks might be something to consider as well.

[capev86]

a 3/4 ton truck with 1/2 ton setup just ain't cricket. i'd look at getting some modern shocks on there first and then perhaps street friendly rubber. but don't cut out the capabilities of a 3/4 ton....better to trade it for a 1/2 ton truck. i love my 3/4 ton burb. i wouldn't go any heavier on the front springs, but the rear coils will eventually be swapped in favor of the HD option units....i hate any sign of rear end sag.....i prefer a rake like on hot rods and what the factory planned. LMC only sells the 3/4 ton and 3/4 ton HD coil springs....the standard 3/4 ton coils were optional on 1/2 ton trucks. in the catalog, the part number is the same between 1/2 and 3/4 ton....and it also lists the options in my 72 suburban dealer brochure. i would think beefed up leaf spring packs were factory option too.

[Mike Bradbury]

Leaf springs are very abrupt in their response to bumps. They take loads well and therefore are the choice for heavy duty applications. A cheap way to get it to ride better is to get yourself some Bilstein shocks (not just new shocks but Bilstein) they are completely different in their dampening theory, and will take a lot of the sharpness out of the spring response.

[capev86]

so bilstein shocks are the way to go on our trucks? i was wondering which brand is the best. who has the best prices on them?....i like to shop around.

[N2TRUX]

Bilstien makes a great line up of shocks. Just like any other company you need to determine what works best for your particular application. A heavy duty gas charged shock is not going to be conducive to a better ride on a truck with a stiff spring set.

Regardless, Bilstien shocks are not known to be an economy brand. Keep in mind the orignal post is titled "Improving C20 Ride Quality on the cheap "....

[pooz911]

My truck has the same overload springs... My truck runs night and day different when I have a small load in the back... Try putting a couple of hundred pounds in the bed and see how it runs.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by pooz911

...Try putting a couple of hundred pounds in the bed and see how it runs.

Now that is some low budget advice, and probably well worth the effort.

[Mike Bradbury]

Bilstein's are made completely different than just run of the mill gas shocks, they actually prefer to call them as dampeners not shocks. I have included a tech page from RCD out here in San Diego. They were in the December 09 issue of Street Rodder magazine and had a very informative article on the tech. I have had them in several of my 3/4 ton trucks and they totally smooth out the jolts. True the OP read "on the cheap", which is what a new set of shocks is, compared to changing the suspension to a different weight leaf spring or to coil springs. Because the C20 spring rate is high for a reason, to carry a lot of weight, and unless you find a way to dampen the response your not going to improve the ride when empty. Now a set of Bilstein's is not a miracle cure and it doesn't feel like a different suspension but it will smooth it out considerably for about $160 (rear only) plus they are guaranteed for life and you can take them with you if you sell the truck.
http://www.racecardynamics.com/class...lsteintech.htm