How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Eliasj123 · 02-20-2007, 12:14 PM

Hey,

I've been driving my 64 more and more and was wondering what should I do to get a smoother ride..

I already know that I should replace the shocks... But what about the springs?? Or anything else??

Do tires make a difference?? Also, was wondering what the stock tire size is for 64 C20...

Thanks,
Elias

SIR · 02-20-2007, 03:48 PM

...300 lbs of sand should do it...good for traction too..

Eliasj123 · 02-20-2007, 08:14 PM

Should I lay the sand out evenly?? Or all at the back of the bed??

LOL.. J/K.. I know you were joking..

Elias

zenish · 02-20-2007, 09:15 PM

i used to have a 69 c20 camper special.i unhooked the shocks and left them unhooked.the springs were so stiff it still wasn't boincey.

**slepysal** · 02-20-2007, 09:24 PM

What kind of tires are you running? Do you plan on hauling , or towing?

Eliasj123 · 02-20-2007, 10:06 PM

I have old tires with a ton of cracks in them.. The rear are 265's "Touring" and the fronts are 245's Michelin tires on stock rims..

I'm going to get new tires all around... Stock size.. whatever size that is...

No towing or hauling.. Just cruising around town with the occasional trip to the hardware store..

Thanks,
Elias

**slepysal** · 02-20-2007, 10:33 PM

Shoot I thought you may have had some L/T ( light truck ) tires on it.
You could probably go with a p2357515 tire if you have 15" rims it isnt the best for heavy loads but rides ok
If they are 16" try getting a "SUV" type tire. With so many people buying 4x4 that will never see the off road, tire companies are making tires for this type of vehical. Piriellie scoripons, Bridgestone Duelers st , Dunlop tg 35's etc
They have a softer ridie then Truck specific tires. Hopes this helps.

PrerunnerRob · 02-21-2007, 11:07 AM

Is your truck coil or leaf spring in the rear? If it is coils, go and grab some half tom coil springs.

Eliasj123 · 02-21-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrerunnerRob

Is your truck coil or leaf spring in the rear? If it is coils, go and grab some half tom coil springs.

I coils in the rear... Hmmm... Good suggestion... That should help, along with the tires...

There's also what looks like a half leaf spring in the rear. One catalog says it's a auxiliary leaf spring.. Do you guys I can remove it and be ok??

Thanks,
Elias

SIR · 02-21-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eliasj123

I coils in the rear... Hmmm... Good suggestion... That should help, along with the tires...

There's also what looks like a half leaf spring in the rear. One catalog says it's a auxiliary leaf spring.. Do you guys I can remove it and be ok??

Thanks,
Elias

you most likely don't need it..just take it off and put it away....could be used for "barter" one day...

**ChiefRocka** · 02-24-2007, 09:44 AM

Definately get some softer side wall tires, if know 'heavy' hauling/towing will be done.

Just like 'Pre-bob' said, swap out the coils from some 1/2 tons..I would probably do the fronts as well.

Overloads have to go too.

John

Kager67 · 02-24-2007, 12:06 PM

Funny you should ask. I just did this to my 64 c20 last fall. It rode like a lumber wagon before. Just order new half ton springs, they bolt right in. The ol girl rides like a caddy now. It makes it a lot nicer for cruisin.

stsalvage · 02-24-2007, 10:44 PM

well the extra leaf spring is cool wish i could of had some about 7 years ago i've owned the truck i have for 17 years hualing scrap Iron and i've ran more tired then most of the guys in here have had cars or trucks But one thing they for got to tell you about the 3/4 ton trucks most had 411 rear gears in the back so at 45 mph your eng is doing 3500 rpms or more there not fun to drive and there is no way you ever make it onto a freeway with 15 inch tires cus at 55 your at 6500 rpms and then its rod nocking time to get the mileage and the comfurt out of your truck and run the 411 or 410 gear run a radial i run a 10 ply XCP Michelin 235 85 16 now these tire are caddy tires for these trucks there smooth none aggresive tread there high way tread but there 235.00 a tire but Michelin makes one of the softest rubber compounds for side walls on the market but they do make a none 10 ply radial tire that would do you good remmber buy road hazzerd it will pay for it self

now my only stant on this subject why not go out and buy a 1973--87 1/2 and just have your old pads welded on to the rear end and convert to 1/2 ton 5 lug then you get the better gears like 305 325 355 373 wonderful crusine gears and you get disc brakes all at one time it all bolts up the same in the front end but you have to oval out 2 bolt holes to get all 14 bolts to go into frame for front end but 12 bolts should hold that front end in

Eliasj123 · 02-25-2007, 01:24 AM

Instead of working on the house today like I should have, I removed the aux leaf spring and the massive rear bumper that weighed 100lbs.. Boy, does it ride smoother....

It's now a smooth enough ride where I can move on to the next thing... like body work.. Down the road, I'll get 1/2ton springs... and shocks.... oh yeah, and tires.... I think I need tires first....

So, are 235's going to be ok with the 3/4 ton gears?? Were 235's stock for 3/4 ton?? If not, what was??

Thanks Again,
Elias

02-20-2007, 12:14 PM	#1
Eliasj123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 108	How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 Hey, I've been driving my 64 more and more and was wondering what should I do to get a smoother ride.. I already know that I should replace the shocks... But what about the springs?? Or anything else?? Do tires make a difference?? Also, was wondering what the stock tire size is for 64 C20... Thanks, Elias

02-20-2007, 03:48 PM	#2
SIR SIR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: grants pass oregon,usa Posts: 658	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 *...300 lbs of sand should do it...good for traction too..* __________________ 66long low fleet http://community.webshots.com/user/LVNR66

02-20-2007, 08:14 PM	#3
Eliasj123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 108	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 Should I lay the sand out evenly?? Or all at the back of the bed?? LOL.. J/K.. I know you were joking.. Elias

02-20-2007, 09:15 PM	#4
zenish Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: stallings,nc Posts: 401	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 i used to have a 69 c20 camper special.i unhooked the shocks and left them unhooked.the springs were so stiff it still wasn't boincey. __________________ 1964 c10 short step 1962 econoline van 1989 rs camaro 2006 yamaha vino 125 1975 goldwing

02-20-2007, 09:24 PM	#5
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 What kind of tires are you running? Do you plan on hauling , or towing?

02-20-2007, 10:06 PM	#6
Eliasj123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 108	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 I have old tires with a ton of cracks in them.. The rear are 265's "Touring" and the fronts are 245's Michelin tires on stock rims.. I'm going to get new tires all around... Stock size.. whatever size that is... No towing or hauling.. Just cruising around town with the occasional trip to the hardware store.. Thanks, Elias

02-20-2007, 10:33 PM	#7
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 Shoot I thought you may have had some L/T ( light truck ) tires on it. You could probably go with a p2357515 tire if you have 15" rims it isnt the best for heavy loads but rides ok If they are 16" try getting a "SUV" type tire. With so many people buying 4x4 that will never see the off road, tire companies are making tires for this type of vehical. Piriellie scoripons, Bridgestone Duelers st , Dunlop tg 35's etc They have a softer ridie then Truck specific tires. Hopes this helps.

02-21-2007, 11:07 AM	#8
PrerunnerRob Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose Posts: 847	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 Is your truck coil or leaf spring in the rear? If it is coils, go and grab some half tom coil springs.

02-24-2007, 09:44 AM	#11
ChiefRocka Hollister, CA. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 6,150	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 Definately get some softer side wall tires, if know 'heavy' hauling/towing will be done. Just like 'Pre-bob' said, swap out the coils from some 1/2 tons..I would probably do the fronts as well. Overloads have to go too. John __________________ John What the Heck is that ?? CURRENT BUILDS: 62 BurbMaster Other Builds: My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW '06 HD StrAight Axle Swap Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965 www.ACCHOLLISTER.com ACC on FACEBOOK "Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"

02-24-2007, 12:06 PM	#12
Kager67 what knocking sound? Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: good ol North Dakota Posts: 148	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 Funny you should ask. I just did this to my 64 c20 last fall. It rode like a lumber wagon before. Just order new half ton springs, they bolt right in. The ol girl rides like a caddy now. It makes it a lot nicer for cruisin. Attached Images __________________ 1968 C-10 1953 belair two-door post 1955 chevy 3600 big window 1950 studebaker starlite coupe 1968 Impala SS

02-24-2007, 10:44 PM	#13
stsalvage Scrapper 1 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Riverside Calif Posts: 1,649	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 well the extra leaf spring is cool wish i could of had some about 7 years ago i've owned the truck i have for 17 years hualing scrap Iron and i've ran more tired then most of the guys in here have had cars or trucks But one thing they for got to tell you about the 3/4 ton trucks most had 411 rear gears in the back so at 45 mph your eng is doing 3500 rpms or more there not fun to drive and there is no way you ever make it onto a freeway with 15 inch tires cus at 55 your at 6500 rpms and then its rod nocking time to get the mileage and the comfurt out of your truck and run the 411 or 410 gear run a radial i run a 10 ply XCP Michelin 235 85 16 now these tire are caddy tires for these trucks there smooth none aggresive tread there high way tread but there 235.00 a tire but Michelin makes one of the softest rubber compounds for side walls on the market but they do make a none 10 ply radial tire that would do you good remmber buy road hazzerd it will pay for it self now my only stant on this subject why not go out and buy a 1973--87 1/2 and just have your old pads welded on to the rear end and convert to 1/2 ton 5 lug then you get the better gears like 305 325 355 373 wonderful crusine gears and you get disc brakes all at one time it all bolts up the same in the front end but you have to oval out 2 bolt holes to get all 14 bolts to go into frame for front end but 12 bolts should hold that front end in

02-25-2007, 01:24 AM	#14
Eliasj123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 108	Re: How Do I Get a Smoother Ride?? 64 Fleet C20 Instead of working on the house today like I should have, I removed the aux leaf spring and the massive rear bumper that weighed 100lbs.. Boy, does it ride smoother.... It's now a smooth enough ride where I can move on to the next thing... like body work.. Down the road, I'll get 1/2ton springs... and shocks.... oh yeah, and tires.... I think I need tires first.... So, are 235's going to be ok with the 3/4 ton gears?? Were 235's stock for 3/4 ton?? If not, what was?? Thanks Again, Elias



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