BajaNomad

How to I make my 3/4 ton Silverado ride better on dirt roads

JZ - 5-10-2018 at 06:59 PM

Put King shocks on last year. Air down from 60 to 30-35. Huge difference.

Everything else is stock. What else should I think about doing?


[Edited on 5-11-2018 by JZ]

basautter - 5-10-2018 at 07:10 PM

I went with Bilsteins, but do not know that they are better than Kings. So far, so good. I do go as low as 22 PSI depending on how much weight I am carrying. That makes a huge difference in ride, but probably shortens tire life. :?:

thebajarunner - 5-10-2018 at 07:26 PM

GO faster!!
Faster you go, the smoother the ride

JZ - 5-10-2018 at 07:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by basautter  
I went with Bilsteins, but do not know that they are better than Kings. So far, so good. I do go as low as 22 PSI depending on how much weight I am carrying. That makes a huge difference in ride, but probably shortens tire life. :?:


E load tires? What's your highway PSI?

Maderita - 5-10-2018 at 07:37 PM

A pickup has stiff springs over the rear axle. 3/4 ton springs are even more problematic. The rear end is light and bounces around on dirt roads. That also reduces traction, especially on washboards. Extra weight in the bed will help. Maybe try lashing a few hundred pounds of sandbags in the rear of the bed.

How is your stopping power on dirt roads? ABS makes some vehicles dangerously difficult to stop. Seems that my 1-ton van takes 2x to 3x the distance under some off-road conditions. Pulling the ABS fuse solves that.

mtgoat666 - 5-10-2018 at 08:51 PM

A full size PU is supposed to be rough, thats why it can carry a load.

If you wanted an SUV-like ride, you shoulda bought an suv

TMW - 5-10-2018 at 09:18 PM

How much money do you want to spend?

JZ - 5-10-2018 at 10:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
How much money do you want to spend?


Nothing crazy. It rides pretty good now.

Just wondering if there is low hanging fruit to make it better.

TMW - 5-11-2018 at 01:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita  
A pickup has stiff springs over the rear axle. 3/4 ton springs are even more problematic. The rear end is light and bounces around on dirt roads. That also reduces traction, especially on washboards. Extra weight in the bed will help. Maybe try lashing a few hundred pounds of sandbags in the rear of the bed.

How is your stopping power on dirt roads? ABS makes some vehicles dangerously difficult to stop. Seems that my 1-ton van takes 2x to 3x the distance under some off-road conditions. Pulling the ABS fuse solves that.


GM trucks and SUVs are easy to disconnect the ABS system unless GM has changed their brake systems in the last few years. There is a 10 amp fuse on the drivers side panel and a 60 amp fuse in the engine compartment. Either will disconnect the ABS system, however it is best to pull the 60 amp fuse because the 10 amp controls the portioning valve. Both the brake and ABS warning lights will be on, I don't recall if one or both flash. You'll also get a warning buzzer/bell that will turn off after a while.

TMW - 5-11-2018 at 01:53 PM

JZ do you have torsion bars or coil springs in the front? Also you could try dropping the air to 25 lbs. What size tires do you have?

bajabuddha - 5-11-2018 at 04:58 PM

Buy a whoopee-cushion. Makes the ride more pleasant and fun to listen to as well, especially on the potholes (pun intended). :biggrin:

fishbuck - 5-11-2018 at 05:44 PM

The is a kit. At one end the spring, a new bracket is installed that has a polymer spring The polymer is sandwitched between brackets. One bracket bolts to the frame, the other to the spring. It adds softness to the ride and actually adds about and inch to the travel. When the soft ride hits it's stop the leaf kicks in.
I well put them on my F350 eventually.
The freeway chop kills me in this thing. It should take out that kind of stuff in the dirt too.

JZ - 5-11-2018 at 05:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
JZ do you have torsion bars or coil springs in the front? Also you could try dropping the air to 25 lbs. What size tires do you have?


Torsion. It's a 2015 Silverado 2500HD.

JZ - 5-11-2018 at 05:59 PM

Some ppl have said upgraded UCAs will help improve travel.

Someone educate me.

Fernweh - 5-11-2018 at 07:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
JZ do you have torsion bars or coil springs in the front? Also you could try dropping the air to 25 lbs. What size tires do you have?


Buy smallest wheels and get the largest tires, now you can drop the air, and have a smooth safe ride.

msteve1014 - 5-11-2018 at 08:12 PM

https://norcaltruck.com/chevy-gmc-2011-sulastic-shackles

This may be what fishbuck was trying to say.
I have heard good things.

I have thought about it but $400 is a bit much.
Let some more air out, it's free.

JZ - 5-11-2018 at 08:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by msteve1014  
https://norcaltruck.com/chevy-gmc-2011-sulastic-shackles

This may be what fishbuck was trying to say.
I have heard good things.

I have thought about it but $400 is a bit much.
Let some more air out, it's free.


Truck runs beautifully down the highway. Very smooth.


[Edited on 5-12-2018 by JZ]

Timinator - 5-12-2018 at 07:40 AM

What ever you do don't put Rancho shocks on it. The stock shocks will give you best ride. I like the idea of the soft lift cushions mentioned by Fishbuck, that does sound like your best option, other than going faster and faster down the roads. Again, don't put Rancho's on anything. They have ZERO rebound control and they should have been sued to oblivion years ago. Their multiple control shocks are multiple ways to have a crappy ride.

PaulW - 5-12-2018 at 08:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Put King shocks on last year. Air down from 60 to 30-35. Huge difference.

Everything else is stock. What else should I think about doing?

[Edited on 5-11-2018 by JZ]

======
You are already at the low tire pressures. With Kings re-valving is probably the next choice. Lower spring rate may not be a wise choice due to lower load capacity, but if you don't need the design load the softer springs would help.
My last rig I went with lower spring rates hydraulic bumps and shocks re-valved to softer setting. Made me happy. Very expensive and I had to have a pro off road shop figure it out.

bajatrailrider - 5-12-2018 at 09:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Timinator  
What ever you do don't put Rancho shocks on it. The stock shocks will give you best ride. I like the idea of the soft lift cushions mentioned by Fishbuck, that does sound like your best option, other than going faster and faster down the roads. Again, don't put Rancho's on anything. They have ZERO rebound control and they should have been sued to oblivion years ago. Their multiple control shocks are multiple ways to have a crappy ride.
Stock shocks you are kidding of course.:)

bajatrailrider - 5-12-2018 at 09:24 AM

The biggest ride change in my Dodge diesel . Changing the E rated small stock tires max psi 80. To 315x16 BFgs max PSI 50 Highway I run 40psi Dirt 20psi or less. They are D rated still I have towed 40ft house trailers zero problems.

fishbuck - 5-12-2018 at 10:05 AM

http://sulastic.com/truck-shackle-suspension-sa-06

This is one kind of shackle mount. I like it.
There is another kind and I'll try and find it.

I tried to go light tires and no tire shop would do it. They will only put on the OEM tire. Maybe in Baja they might put the light duty tires on and I think that would help a lot.
But my 1 ton will never be a great true offroad truck.
Off road heavy wotk truck yes.
I now know I can use this thing for incredible loads. With ease.
But empty it almost make me cry sometimes it rides so rough.
I'm looking for seat cushions and stuff. It I sorta jamb myself deep into the seat and use a headrest pillow it saves my neck and spine enough to make it tolerable.
I put the whoopy cushsion on the passenger side so I can embarrass my dates when they get in.
The prissy ones get out and the good sports get in.:coolup:



0000674_sa-06hd-sulastic-shackle-for-rear-axle_300.jpg - 56kB

[Edited on 5-12-2018 by fishbuck]

bajatrailrider - 5-12-2018 at 10:42 AM

A D rated tire is not light duty some have same weight rating as E rated. As for tire shop not mounting D rated tire on 3/4 ton not so. Take Cosco they wont mount over size tire on your truck. If you want best deal on tire 4 Wheel Wholesale but catch 22. They sell the tire cheap but nail you on mounting. I always order the tires carry out then take to Walmart cheap to mount and bal. Also in my case factory tires side wall E rated tires short side wall. The BFGs 315x16 tall side wall day and night diff on ride. As far as your soft ride Shackle they have had those for many years. Some owners reported Zero change in ride, others reported better ride. Please report if you buy one.

pacsur - 5-12-2018 at 12:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Timinator  
What ever you do don't put Rancho shocks on it. The stock shocks will give you best ride. I like the idea of the soft lift cushions mentioned by Fishbuck, that does sound like your best option, other than going faster and faster down the roads. Again, don't put Rancho's on anything. They have ZERO rebound control and they should have been sued to oblivion years ago. Their multiple control shocks are multiple ways to have a crappy ride.


Lowering tire pressure is the best free solution, I have used Rancho 5000’s and 9000’s over the last 20 years on F-150’s, surburbans, mid sized Rangers, tacomas, buggys, and a jeep, I have tried bilsteins, kyb, Monroe, and stock, and ranchos are the best bang for the buck from my experiences, hold on to your receipts and buy from somebody that will honor the warranties.
I blew out 2 rear ranchos on an F-150 that was way overloaded on dirt roads but not at the same time, I've driven dirt roads almost daily including the crappy city roads with potholes, for me they are the smoothest for the price, I have had issues on some vehicles with the lower shock bushings going out a couple of times on 5+ year old ranchos.

fishbuck - 5-12-2018 at 02:31 PM

Yeah maybe 3/4 ton is rated for "D". 1 ton is "E".
But I was thinking an F150 tire. That would help the ride. F150s ride like a car.
I'm hoping the plastic spring type mount will take out the harshness. A lot of the bumps will jolt the truck but not even move the leaf spring. Just too heavy.
It hurts.

[Edited on 5-13-2018 by fishbuck]

TMW - 5-12-2018 at 04:04 PM

We had a 2000 3/4 Dodge work truck and it rode really hard until we put a 300 gallon water tank full of water in the bed. Then it rode as smooth as a car almost. But when the water moved in the tank you could feel it.

JZ - 5-12-2018 at 04:13 PM

The truck rides as smooth as any car on the highway.

With the Kings and airing down it's light years better than it was on rough roads. I'd say it does pretty good actually. I run Nitto Terra Grapplers on 18 inch stock rims.

I was just wondering if there was any other low hanging fruit.

chippy - 5-12-2018 at 04:23 PM

I think you have the best setup going. If you could just add weight after dropping the bikes off:?:

JZ - 5-12-2018 at 04:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
I think you have the best setup going. If you could just add weight after dropping the bikes off:?:


Carry the bikes on a carrier. Most times the bed is full of gear.

The beer coolers alone probably weigh 100+.


[Edited on 5-13-2018 by JZ]

joerover - 5-12-2018 at 06:49 PM

slow down
and
it is free to slow down

Doug/Vamonos - 5-13-2018 at 08:48 AM

I put 285x75x18 Nitto Trail Grappler M/Ts on my F-250. I generally don't air them down unless I'll be at the Bay for several weeks. Best thing I did was buy a little SUV to keep down there and park the big truck. Even airing the tires down the truck still bounces and vibrates. There is only so much you can do. After ten years I realized I don't want to vibrate it to death or risk breaking something on my get-home truck. So the little Suzuki does the work.

DeMinimis - 6-14-2018 at 12:29 PM

JZ, when I had a Silverado (1 ton dually) I spent a fair amount of time on the front end. Cognito makes some good stuff for the front of that rig that could help you in Baja (UCAs, heavier duty parts, supports, etc.). Not sure anything beyond what you are already doing will smooth out the washboard, but the cognito stuff really beefs up a surprisingly weak front end. We caught a little air with that setup (heading to see Shari in fact) a number of years back. Had a Bigfoot camper on back as well. Suspension handled it perfectly. Anyway, not directly answering your question, but something you might consider. I know when I go back to a Silverado, Cognito is getting a chunk of change from me. Since I can't air down the tires on my current rig I'm having to go by memory, but I think I was closer to 20# per tire (back when the rd to Gonzaga had a soul).