My question is for the guys that know alot about suspension systems. I dont really want to lift the truck any. But i would like to know how i could make the ride a little smoother. It is a 3/4 ton but it rides worse than the 2 one tons my friends have. so i was wondering what i should do to smooth it out a little. without hurting the amount of weight i can carry without burying the overloads. Thanks

 

One ton whats? If it's Fords, no idea. I've never been in one that doesn't make my Ram feel like a Caddilac. If it's Chevy's, that's because they have a car front suspension, and if there's a way to do that to a Dodge, I doubt it's worth the trouble. Just buy a Chevy. Or a car. If they're Dodges though, than I'd either find out what they did that isn't stock, or figure out what isn't stock on yours. Because the 3/4 and 1 ton Dodge suspensions are almost exactly the same, the 1 ton springs are good for a couple hundred lbs. more, that's it. And that would make them stiffer, not smoother. I'd be more inclined to believe someone stiffened yours up at some point. I have new stock springs, a 2500lbs. helper spring kit in the rear with the smallest measurable preload and Bilstien 4600 dampers all around, and it's the best compromise of soft and tight I've ever encountered in a truck... and I've driven a lot of trucks.

 

air ride. you can lower your spring count and achieve a much more pleasurable ride and when you want to tow the world put a few more psi in the bags. you can install longer trailing arms in the front to change the geometry put some high quality shocks on all 4 corners. invest in some bump steer equipment. steering stiffeners/dampeners. higher quality bushings ect. the smoother things move the more fluid the ride. softer springs will end up and be your answer but you will have to complement them with equipment that can also bear extra load if need be. it will cost you $$$$ to make it ride like a caddy but if you want it you can build it.

 

firestone r4 kit or something similar would make it ride smooth. Diesel power did a story on a 1-ton with this kit. I have the firestone load lifter 5000 bags on my duramax and it actually rides a little smoother with 15-20 psi in them than it did stock and i can air them up and pull 25,000 lbs without it squatting.

 

also going from a gas charged shock to a hydraulic shock will lessen the rebound and give a smoother over all ride quality ... did that on my 87 F250 IDI truck and even the wife likes the ride now ... and she has 4 blow disks in ther lower back ... so a good ride is important to me ...

I'm running Pro-comp 3000's F&R on both trucks ....

 

ok the other trucks are 2nd gen dodges as well. I think i will go with hydraulic shocks and see how well that does it for me. I havnt taken the time to look into it very much but i feel like the truck has a pretty hefty set of add-a-leafs. it used to be a ranch truck that hauled round bails daily so i could see the farmer putting add-a-leafs on it. and i know it needs new shocks in the front. SO.....Ill put new hydraulic shocks on all 4 corners and let you guys know how well that fixes my ride. I dont expect it to ride like a caddy and I AM NOT buying a duramax. It just rides worse than a dodge usually does. Im used to bumpy trucks but this thing is like a damn skidsteer. Anyways thanks for the advice guys