Improving Ride on 86 SWB - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

11555wally · 12-19-2015, 08:21 PM

Bought my truck about a year ago and have been doing some upgrades to it. What I would like to do now is improve the ride. My 99 Ford Ranger 4WD Ext Cab rides much, much better than the 86 SWB 1/2 Ton. PO said he lowered the front 3" by replacing springs and shocks and lowered the back 2 1/2" with shackles and shocks. Not sure of the quality of shocks or springs. I lowered the back further by replacing the spring hanger. I should say that with a load in the back it rides better of course, but that isn't often. My question is, would replacing the front spindles and stock type springs and good shocks improve the ride a great deal? Also I'm guessing that real good shocks on the rear would help. I like the stance of the the truck. The Michigan roads are terrible. Would appreciate any ideas from this forum. I posted on the Suspension forum but didn't get many ideas.. Thanks again and happy Holidays.

**MikeB** · 12-19-2015, 08:45 PM

Going from shorter stiffer springs on the front to taller softer springs with dropped spindles would help. Not sure what you can do on the back. The more the spring travel and the lower the rate (pounds per inch), the softer the ride.

tommy217xxx · 12-19-2015, 11:13 PM

I bought a truck a few months ago that rides like **** and I posted some pics. A few things I found out are, my trucks front shocks didn't have any travel left after the drop so I need to add drop shocks. Also I need to get relocation mounts for the rear and I think I also 3/4 leafs b/c my 1/2 ton truck has 6 leafs. This is just stuff that I found that might help.

Also I feel your pain about our wonderful Michigan roads.

12-19-2015, 08:21 PM	#1
11555wally Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Southern Michigan Posts: 85	Improving Ride on 86 SWB Bought my truck about a year ago and have been doing some upgrades to it. What I would like to do now is improve the ride. My 99 Ford Ranger 4WD Ext Cab rides much, much better than the 86 SWB 1/2 Ton. PO said he lowered the front 3" by replacing springs and shocks and lowered the back 2 1/2" with shackles and shocks. Not sure of the quality of shocks or springs. I lowered the back further by replacing the spring hanger. I should say that with a load in the back it rides better of course, but that isn't often. My question is, would replacing the front spindles and stock type springs and good shocks improve the ride a great deal? Also I'm guessing that real good shocks on the rear would help. I like the stance of the the truck. The Michigan roads are terrible. Would appreciate any ideas from this forum. I posted on the Suspension forum but didn't get many ideas.. Thanks again and happy Holidays.

12-19-2015, 08:45 PM	#2
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,444	Re: Improving Ride on 86 SWB Going from shorter stiffer springs on the front to taller softer springs with dropped spindles would help. Not sure what you can do on the back. The more the spring travel and the lower the rate (pounds per inch), the softer the ride. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 34 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 23 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

12-19-2015, 11:13 PM	#3
tommy217xxx Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: mi Posts: 359	Re: Improving Ride on 86 SWB I bought a truck a few months ago that rides like **** and I posted some pics. A few things I found out are, my trucks front shocks didn't have any travel left after the drop so I need to add drop shocks. Also I need to get relocation mounts for the rear and I think I also 3/4 leafs b/c my 1/2 ton truck has 6 leafs. This is just stuff that I found that might help. Also I feel your pain about our wonderful Michigan roads. __________________ TJ 76 gmc 1500 swb patina finish Dropped 4/5, 350/4 speed 80 Chevy c10 lwb 305/350



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