I've been working on the rear suspension trying to get the darn thing to ride better.


While installing some Velvet-Rides this weekend I noticed something interesting. With the rear shackles disconnected from the frame shackle mount, the axle was hanging by the shocks at full travel and still the springs were arched too high for the shackle bolt to slide in. This tells me that the stock shocks are too short. At full suspension droop the shocks are limiting the travel. There is only about 3 inches suspension droop available.


Could that be the loud clunk I hear and feel when going over medium to big bumps? It's pretty bad for a shock to be the limiting strap.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


Also pulled the shocks off and installed RS9000xs this AM. I pushed down on the stock shock to check how stiff they are. The shock was medium stiff, put when I pulled back up it popped up 1.5 inches with absolutely no resistance. Seems like its cavitating (for lack of better wording). What junk.


The Ranchos are much tighter and eliminate most of the shudder, although I got them set 3/4 stiff for the first road test this AM. Need some road testing to see what setting is best. My concern is the length still, as these RS9000xs are same as stock. Might go with a 1" longer version which should give 2" more susp droop.


Anyone else go longer? Did it resolve any clunking? But then again, maybe the clunking is the overloads...HMMMMhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif


Jeff

It does make you think. Bet they use the same shocks as the 2500, but yours would have higher arch.


I have heard rear noise you describe as being the overloads. Have you resolved it?


I am very interested in seeing your reports on these dually mods. Would you be interested in trying airbags in a slightly modified configuration? Another $200, but I think it would be the most impressive ride quality enhancement for little money.

Masterp2, I do feel my issues are resolved at this point. I listed the final rear config in another thread "smoothing the rear".


The first RS9000x's I put on were the same length as the stockers (they were really from another truck I own). When you look up the correct shocks in the rancho guide, they list some that have 2" longer travel than what you measure on the stockers. I got a new set of these correct ones, and now they don't limit the travel!


Although a combination of parts went in, the truck is amazingly smooth now. Seems almost like the Yukon on the highway. I feel almost no expansion cracks from the rear now. Never thought the front would end up stiffer than the rear. Of course I still have the stock front shocks installed.


See ya,


jeff

These (http://tommy3z71.homestead.com/spring_insulators.html) eliminated the clunking sound from my rear springs.

These (http://tommy3z71.homestead.com/spring_insulators.html) eliminated the clunking sound from my rear springs.


What kind of truck is that with only 2 leafs in the main pack?

Don't know for certain, but those rubber insulators seem to be pretty universal, as far as fit goes anyway.