I just purchased a 2005 2500HD/Duramax last week. I love the new truck however it sure seems to ride a lot rougher than my GMC 1500. Is this just something I have to get used to or does it take a while for the trucks suspension to "loosen up"?? Are there any after market products that can help this out?? Thanks for any advice.
Chuck

you can change to billsteins, and also remove a leaf from your springs.

will make a huge difference. (mainly the shocks)

I can vouch for the Bilsteins -- 100% improvement and mine's a 3500. I found mine on eBay from a place called motorsports direct. $239 delivered for 4.

As others on this site helped me, I dropped my air pressures (when not running a load). I'm down to 55 fronts and 48 rears cold, that's with the stock 265/75/16 E rated Bridgestones mine came with (man those are stiff tires!).

Good luck...

The half ton frame is more comfortable than a 3/4 or ton frame. I think in time you'll get used to the ride. I would suggest as a quick fix, going to the Ford and Dodge dealerships and test driving a 3/4 ton. That should :grd: .

Stiffer springs =====> You can carry more weight

They also mean ====> Rougher ride

Get some Bilstein shocks, lower the air pressure in the tires when not hauling a load and that's about it unless you want to spend some $$$$$.

The half ton frame is more comfortable than a 3/4 or ton frame. I think in time you'll get used to the ride. I would suggest as a quick fix, going to the Ford and Dodge dealerships and test driving a 3/4 ton. That should :grd: .

I don't know if I'd recommend that -- he might buy a Ford!!:D

Seriously, if you haven't driven an '05 Ford 250/350 4x4, don't. It's the nicest ride out there right now. But then again they got that pesky 6.0 stilll -:t

It's a 3/4 ton truck, they're nature doesn't allow them to ride like a car. You're going to have to get used to it. I wouldn't say that bilsteins make it ride "softer" but the suspension is so much more controlled that they're worth it anyway.

:exactly: :exactly: :exactly:

Bilsteins are good, but they will not make the truck (especially the rear) ride any softer. Rancho's are a better choice for a softer ride.

Does lowering the pressure in the tires cause premature wear problems with the tires? I'm always reading how important it is to keep tires properly inflated. Also, how difficult is it to change out the shocks? Are there any special tools needed?? I'm pretty handy, but I've never changed out shocks.Thanks

I'd also like to know what's involved in changing my stock shocks to Bilsteins or Ranchos.
Oso

flip the overload platforms, costs nothing, and will give you a softer ride than any of the above. Best no cost mod available

Killerbee, can you explain a little more? I'm a total noob. I did a search, and didn't learn much. I don't know exactly what overload or platform springs are or what they do. From what I did learn, though, I should only flip or remove them if I don't plan on towing anything, right? :confuzeld

Thanks,
Oso

Changing the shocks is trivial. You don't even need to jack up the truck. Just unbolt the old ones, and bolt in the new ones. The springs and torsion bars hold up the truck, and you don't have to touch those to get the shocks on and off. Two hours tops.

For the front ones, turn in the wheel you're working on for easy access. Then turn them the other way for the other one.

The half ton frame is more comfortable than a 3/4 or ton frame. I think in time you'll get used to the ride. I would suggest as a quick fix, going to the Ford and Dodge dealerships and test driving a 3/4 ton. That should :grd: .

YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!

Are the overload springs riveted-to or bolted-to the spring pack? In other works, can I just lift the truck, loosten the u-bolts, and slide them out?

I'd really like to flip mine.

what ever happend to a truck ridding like.... well....errr... a truck??

all kidding aside go with the bilsteins.

Why Bilstiens over Ranchos? Anyone?

I dropped my rear tire pressure from 80psi down to 55 psi, it matches the front now. Much improved ride, towing heavy might require more air pressure, but at 55psi you're still at the recomended pressure for the fronts, I don't think you'll see any extra wear at 55psi. You hear about underinflated tires causing excess wear, only because underinflated means 10psi or lower.

I still don't understand why the General can't offer Ranchos or Bilsteins as an option like one of the other maufactures does. Then again, the General doesn't do a lot of things I think they should.

I dropped my rear tire pressure from 80psi down to 55 psi, it matches the front now. Much improved ride, towing heavy might require more air pressure, but at 55psi you're still at the recomended pressure for the fronts, I don't think you'll see any extra wear at 55psi. You hear about underinflated tires causing excess wear, only because underinflated means 10psi or lower.

I still don't understand why the General can't offer Ranchos or Bilsteins as an option like one of the other maufactures does. Then again, the General doesn't do a lot of things I think they should.

GM does - my Avalanche with Z66 option came standard with Bilsteins (sold to buy my dmax).

Bilsteins are far better build quality made in Germany - no need to have a 5 pos. adjuster like the Ranchos, they adjust to the road as required.:exactly:

Are the overload springs riveted-to or bolted-to the spring pack? In other works, can I just lift the truck, loosten the u-bolts, and slide them out?

I'd really like to flip mine. They are bolted

To All - New Member But Took All Your Advice And Replaced Those Cheap Gm Oem Shocks Today W/the Bilstein Shocks All Around! (the Right Rear Was Already In Bad Shape, Making A Popping Sound With Less Than 2000 Miles!) The Guys At The Shop Could Not Believe How Bad The Stock Shocks Were And Why Gm Would Install These On The Big 2500 Hd Trucks!

Thanks For The Information!

If they were that bad I would take them to the dealer and see what you can get out of them. It should have been a warranty issue.

Dealer just replaced the rear shocks on my '03 under warrenty. Sure rides nice and smooth again. I've tried Bilsteins, but they are too stiff for my liking. Hopefully this set of OEM's will last a little longer.

Killerbee, can you explain a little more? I'm a total noob. I did a search, and didn't learn much. I don't know exactly what overload or platform springs are or what they do. From what I did learn, though, I should only flip or remove them if I don't plan on towing anything, right? :confuzeld

Thanks,
Oso

The bottom spring on the 2500HD is an overload. It sits too close to the main springs, and when they contact, instantly double the spring rate. If you flip it (can be done in the driveway) you will have a much nicer ride, arched the other way. If you plan on more than 800 lb tongue loads, you can compensate with airbags

Killerbee,

Is it necessary to jack the truck up to accomplish the flip? Or just loosen the four bolt to the shackle? Thanks in advance.

Why Bilstiens over Ranchos? Anyone?

That is just the general preference here on the site.

There are those of us that run Rancho RSX 9000's because we want the adjustability.

If you don't tow or don't care, get the Bilsteins'. If you want to adjust the firmness of the shock between towing or loaded and unloaded or not towing, get the Rancho's.

If I had to get a non adjustable shock, it would be the Bilsteins.

Chuck:

I had the same initial experience. I drove about 100 miles to the dealer in my 2001 1500 Extracab Chevy, traded in the half ton for a 2500HD Chevrolet D/A CC. I got in the new truck, and drove about 45 miles further on an errand before heading home. Initially, I was wondering if I had made a mistake, because the ride in the Duramax was much rougher when compared to my 1500. Errand done, I headed home, and started to notice that the ride was not too bad, and the stock shocks seemed OK as well. By the time I made it home in the new truck, I could not wipe the smile off my face. This is the finest vehicle I have ever driven. It just has a substantial feel on the road that the 1500 never had. I have about 7500 miles on the truck now, and I think the stock shocks will have to go. I will probably get the Bilstein 5100 shocks, as most here highly recommend them. Congratulations on your purchase and enjoy your new truck.

Killerbee,

Is it necessary to jack the truck up to accomplish the flip? Or just loosen the four bolt to the shackle? Thanks in advance.

sorry for the late response.

Both I think. You have to jack it up, to have room. It's been so long.

I would not suggest doing this, but:
To do the flip you will need to remove the Ubolts and lift the truck/springs away from the rear axle enough that you can extract the spring center bolt, which pulls out downward. Flip and bolt back together. Note: The spring center bolt indexes to the axle housing and may take some prying/fanagling to get it to drop in.

Personally, I added a leaf and raised the rear a bit adding a good bit of travel to the rear before it hits the second stage. I wouldn't term the lower bars as overloads, rather "second stage" blocks.
With an empty truck bounce on the corner of the rear bumper and you will see how soft it is back there. Compare to the front. Now add 500#+ and try it again. Now drive the truck and see how nice it rides with 500# in the bed. You will have transferred to the second stage with the extra weight and the spring to weight ratio is a better match and much more linear. I believe that most of the "kick" in the rear is the soft rate allowing the rear to travel rapidly until it engages the second stage which abruptly reverses the travel...

With an empty truck bounce on the corner of the rear bumper and you will see how soft it is back there. Compare to the front. Now add 500#+ and try it again. Now drive the truck and see how nice it rides with 500# in the bed. You will have transferred to the second stage with the extra weight and the spring to weight ratio is a better match and much more linear. I believe that most of the "kick" in the rear is the soft rate allowing the rear to travel rapidly until it engages the second stage which abruptly reverses the travel...

definately!

the downside of additional weight, is a longer stopping distance, acceleration and mpg. But at least it would have better traction at the rear.

Raising the back is not appealing to some 5ver folks. Could just put more arch in the platform, plus weight in the bed. I may have to try that.

Everyone recommends Bilsteins or Ranchos, but not Monroe Reflex. Has anyone ever tried the Monroe Reflex's? I put those on my last truck, a Dodge Dakota, and they were great. Improved the ride 100%.

Ther are 5 6.5 engines in the bed figuring 3k load. No other suspension mods but the added leaf/arch. The front Bilsteins were likely on at this point, but the rears were not yet available. We carried this load from Loyal WI to the Canadian border in Sumas WA...

http://www.kennedydiesel.com/photogal/images/3k%20Load.jpg

Does anyone know what it would cost for the Rancho RSX 9000 w/ the cabin adjust kit? Thanks!