The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop poor ride

I had my frond lowered about 1/12 Inch over bending the original leave springs (make them more flat) and have a very tough ride. I don't know how it drove originally because I have been building on that truck the last 10 Years!!
Everything moving part from the suspension is new, I have changed the gas shocks to a cheep style shock and have also played with the Tire presure (235/70R16) but it still drives very tough/rough.

It's a 55 1/2 Ton 1st serie with a 350/350 kombo. I though about taking a leave out but that gives it even less clerance to the frame. It's Ok right now, no bottoming out jet, just if you wonder...

How is the ride with the original leave spring hight and a 350/350 combo?

I'm thinking now to get the leaves to the original shape and take on leave out. Any experiance with that? What leave to take out?

Any other experiance with softening the ride?

Has someone put in some leaves from a newer Truck / Car?

Your help is much apreciated

My '49 - 3100 has the stock leaves with a 3" dropped axle. It doesn't ride like a Cad, but its not bad. I put teflon strips between every leaf & ground the ends of the leafs so they didn't dig in. I have gas shicks in the front. It halped alot.

I am doing a 48 chevy truck and have considered the mustang 2, front clip options for better ride and handling but after much consideration I have decided to go with a dropped axle and remove 2 of the front leaves. I will be using a power steering kit from CPP. If I were you and seeing how you have bent your springs I would give Posies rod shop a call and order a set of their dual flex springs they sell them for about $340. Also, you could order or find a set of new or used stock springs unmodified and remove 2 leaves. The stock springs were meant to support a one ton truck combine this with your straightening that must be one harsh ride.

Thank's for the imput

I would like to get some used/new springs but it's going to be to pricy till they are here in Germany =( . I may have to get some finally but I like to know for sure that I do the right thing for the best ride, I dont't care that much for a lower truck right now.

I also thought of teflon strips, any idea who will ship them to Germany???

Hi 48 chevy truck dude,

I just would like to know why are you choosing for the old straid axle. If I would have to do it again I would get an IFS because I almost spend as much money with my I-beam as it would have cost with going IFS. CCP 6-lug Disc breakes, CCP Power steering, and all the other parts and now having a very poor ride and problems with bump steer and so on.

OK an IFS would require welding but I think it probably is worth the better ride that I have read about.

Old trucks ride like old trucks. The least expensive improvement would be radial tires.

John

Sorry got some more questions:

Has anyone used a dual leave spring from posies (front)?
How is the ride? much better / sofer than original or stiff because they are lower?

Any ideas where I can get teflon strips for between the leaves shipped to Germany?

In my 55 2nd series,I went from stock front suspension to a TCI M2 set up. Man what a difference.It now rides and handles like a new vehicle.Sure it cost a few bucks to do it,but I have a truck that is a pleasure to drive and it rides just great.And oh yeah it also has power R&P steering.If you want your truck to ride like an old lumber wagon,stick with the stock suspension,but if you want a good handling and riding truck,go with independant suspension.Also a safety situation here,on todays highways,if you want to get out there and run 65 or 70 on the interstate,guess what?