Rear susoension way too stiff on 1985 dually

[ratty65]

Ok so I know these things are meant to carry heavy loads but the rear suspension is way too stiff. Right now when driving down the road if I hit a bump at over 35-40 mph the rear end almost wants to kick out on me. The truck has not been lowered and was wondering if there was anything I could do to soften it up a bit for now. My plans are to drop it in the future but for now just want to make it bearable and safer.

[D13]

Replace the rear springs with 1/2 a pack, or 3/4 springs with 1/2 a pack, but kiss your load capability goodby.

[ratty65]

Im not really worried about my load capabilities as i hardly ever carry anything. whne you say replace with a 1/2 pack are you saying replace withthe springs off a half ton?

[jitteryguy]

I removed 4 springs and all the over load crap, it lower'd the truck a little and soft'nd up the ride some, better tire's help'd the ride a bunch too. rides as smoth as my 1/2 ton did now. it wont handle as much payload as befor but still will handle more than I'll ever haul in it.

[ratty65]

Originally Posted by jitteryguy

I removed 4 springs and all the over load crap, it lower'd the truck a little and soft'nd up the ride some, better tire's help'd the ride a bunch too. rides as smoth as my 1/2 ton did now. it wont handle as much payload as befor but still will handle more than I'll ever haul in it.

Im a newbee to this so excuse my ignorance. When removing the 4 leafs did you take from the bottom or top?

[jitteryguy]

from the bottom of the spring pack, then at the top theres a 1" block then the overload spring, I also got a set of the 2" lower'n shackles that AutoZone stocks, they fit ours trucks, theres a cross brace on the bed that needs to be trim'd where the shackle sits for clearance. my fenders are bout even with the top of tire with this set up.

[ratty65]

Originally Posted by jitteryguy

from the bottom of the spring pack, then at the top theres a 1" block then the overload spring, I also got a set of the 2" lower'n shackles that AutoZone stocks, they fit ours trucks, theres a cross brace on the bed that needs to be trim'd where the shackle sits for clearance. my fenders are bout even with the top of tire with this set up.

I dont know if I want to do the shackles as I dont want the truck to have a reverse rake. if doing these shackles evens it out then I may look into it. Are these specific to our trucks or are these universal shackles? oh and would you know a part number by any chance?

Thanks for all your help.

Your truck is the reason my wiffe let me get a dually . She said I will have to wait to get the semi wheels but she likes the stance and looks on yours.

[jitteryguy]

your wife has good taste if ya she agreed to a dually !
mine is still a little high'r in the rear with this set up, but I would do the springs first and see how much more ya wanna go, the shackles will 2 or 3 set'n so ya wanna know where its at befor ya decide which set'n ya want.
I dont have a part # but they are a unaversal shackle, spring width is pretty common so they most all truck's