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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 28 | Hello again,
I need advice on how to soften up the ride on my 52 3/4 ton pu. I replaced the front springs, shackles and shocks with new original parts, but that didn't improve the ride very much. I would like a cheap solution without much modification.
Highway radial tires have helped, but I still would like more. It feels like I have no "spring" in the front end.
Any advice would be appreciated!
John Schommer. Bolter#12041 | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 | | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | These ol' bolts do have a stiff ride, especially the 3/4 and 1 ton. One thing that will help is to put some "poly" or teflon liner between the leaves to help them slide. Easy to do and cheap. It is available from many of the usual suppliers. If you don't mind a little lowering you could remove a couple of leaves as well, this will soften up the ride too. Other than that, just cinch the seat belts up tight, hang on to your coffee cup and enjoy! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | What is your tire PSI? I believe you can remove a leaf from your springs to soften the ride. Perhaps someone else has a better suggestion.
~Jim
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,026 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,026 | If you don't want to switch to an IFS, try the teflon as Waldo suggested. It would be the least expensive. You may also consider mono leafs.
Robert C. If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making. 1950 3600 | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 | Instead of spending money on Teflon find an old kid's "Magic Carpet or Flying Carpet" snow sled. These are the roll up sleds made of a Teflon type of plastic. Probably get one at a garage sale. Cut strips from it and put them between the leaves. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,410 ODSS President | | ODSS President Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,410 | FWIW, I'm a daily driver of a straight axle year 'round and just added Bilstein shocks which were the most dramatic improvement after radial tires that I feel one can experience in these old trucks. Originally posted by olblu49:
Instead of spending money on Teflon find an old kid's "Magic Carpet or Flying Carpet" snow sled. These are the roll up sleds made of a Teflon type of plastic. Probably get one at a garage sale. Cut strips from it and put them between the leaves. Good idea, may raise your truck almost an inch... spring liner with lip is something I'm going to try one of these days, the lip will prevent it from wandering. We need somebody with 'liner experience' to add their two cents.
~ Cosmo
1949 Chevy Half Ton
Rocinante, like Don Quixote, he is awkward, past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities.
"...my good horse Rocinante, mine eternal and inseparable companion in all my journeys and courses." ...Don Quixote, Cervantes
"If you come to a fork in the road, take it."...Yogi Berra
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." ...Eric Hoffer
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | Yes, get the poly liner made for your springs (has a lip on it) to keep it from wandering out.
I'm using this on my '53 AD, really softens up the ride and I think actually allows the truck to settle on the springs more and lowers the rig slightly. One roll is more than enough to do the whole truck. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | For a BIG difference try a front sway bar.
~Jim
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | OK Cosmo, went to "Bilstein" shocks site and their product data base starts at 1965. So how did you come up with a number that would fit your 1949, 3100? And I haven't seen any prices but from the description of how they are made it sounds like they're setting me up for a whopper of a bill.
Denny G
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 28 | I agree that she rides alot better with ALOT of weight in the rear. The front sway bar sounds good and I did think of a mono leaf setup. I'll have to look at the Bilstein shocks.
Maybe I should take out the set of overload springs in the back.
It does have 14 leafs on each side. I would only need to get a different set of U-Bolts to do that. I like stance of the truck the way it is, but taking the extra set out would also center the rear wheels more inside the fenders.
Thanks for the help. Bouncing's not a bad thing. | | |
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