Bouncy drop springs!

[67_C-30]

I put a set of McGaughy 2/4 drop springs on my red '69 last night, and I'm very disappointed with the ride quality in the rear. The front goes over bumps nice and smooth (better than stock) but the rear is literally worse than my C-30 was when I took the bed off. My little girl rode up the road with me to get breakfast this morning and she was being bumped out of her booster seat on the smallest of bumps. The seat belt was on the only thing holding her down! I know this cannot normal. Does anybody have any suggestions? My blue '69 is as low as this one with heated springs, and rides great. The shocks haven't been changed on either. It seemed to get somewhat better on the way home, but I don't know if I just got more used to it. I'm not talking about a little bouncing here either. The when you rock the truck, the front goes up and down easily, but the rear is stiff as rock. Again, it feels like a truck with no bed on it. I'll post pics in a little while.

[westbrookw]

Try changing the shock absorbers. They might be too tall for a lower suspension.

[67_C-30]

Here's some pics. In like the way it looks, just not the ride. I think I'll take the shock loose, and see if it is not as stiff. If its just shocks, that's no big deal, I'll get some on the way. Is anyone else running McGaughy's springs?

P.S. Please excuse my filthy truck, it has been raining the last days!!

[cdowns]

the angle that the shocks sit is a very important part of how effectivly the shocks work// sounds like you skipped over the shock relocator option and the proper dropped shocks for the application // result=poor ride quality

[westbrookw]

True about the shock relocator. I forgot about that. They are very easy to bottle in.

[texanidiot25]

Are those the regular rear shocks? The stock shocks probably can't handle the lowered ride height. On top of the shock angle (if I recall right, the goal is about 30* from the imaginary centerline going up), they just ain't doing their job.

I'm running 3" drop springs and some Doetch (Something like that) shocks and the truck rides great. Front can be a little bouncier than I'd expect, but I've never driven a 67-72 so I have nothing to compare to besides newer vehicles.

But it does ride better than our stock 98 GMC Jimmy, though handling is a totally different story

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by cdowns

the angle that the shocks sit is a very important part of how effectivly the shocks work// sounds like you skipped over the shock relocator option and the proper dropped shocks for the application // result=poor ride quality

Yes you're right, I did not put the shock relocators on. This problem doesn't *seem* like its shocks, though maybe it is. The springs are very very stiff. I can push on the top of the bed rail, and I can barely move it. Are you saying that you think the shock is binding somehow? I dropped my other truck a little lower than this one with changing shocks, and it does not do this. Maybe I just need to take the shock loose and see if it changes.

[lolife99]

I agree with cdowns.
Use the rear shock relocators and a good set of drop shocks (front and rear). and you will be good to go. Most likely your rear shocks are just trying to "pivot" on the mounts, instead of compressing.

[texanidiot25]

If the springs are stiffer, than the stock shocks don't have enough dampening to control the bounce of the stiffer shocks. Thus, when you hit a bump and the spring compress and then rebounds, the shock cannot slow that rebound motion down and the spring continues to bounce.

[71swb4x4]

I agree, it's probably the shocks. They are at a horrible angle, and they are probably about bottomed out anyway. So, when you hit a bump, your shocks can't compress anymore, and therefore they are not letting the coil springs do any of the work. To test that theory, unhook the shocks and drive it down the block. I am willing to bet the ride will be much better.

[67_C-30]

You guys are exactly right, it is the shocks -except its not a rebound problem, the shocks are actually bottoming out on the inside. I just took them off and the truck actually dropped down a little more. The spring actually springs now. I put the shocks on last night when the suspension was hanging down some, so I didn't know they were doing this. I guess my other truck has another brand shock or something, because it doesn't bounce one bit and rides great. My experience with the other truck is why I thought I could get away without the drop shocks and relocators for awhile. These shocks are only about a year old, and I was going to try to get get some service out of them. I guess I'll stick on one of my non-lowered trucks! Thanks guys!

[Classic Heartbeat]

I just installed a set of (McGauhey's) 4" rear drop springs on a 70 2WD Blazer and the ride is smooth as a babies butt. However I also used lowering shocks, shock relocation kit, and adjustible panhard bar.
Your stock height shocks are probably close to being bottomed out. So even though they are swinging more than they are compressing, they are still bottoming out. Like others have said, you need a shock relocator kit and a set of 4" drop shocks. I would also step up and buy an adjustible panhard bar. It won't improve the quality of the ride, but it will allow you to recenter the rear end. The result of which will save your tires and improve the handling. WES

[Classic Heartbeat]

I see that I posted a little late.. Glad you got it figured out. WES

[LONGHAIR]

I would have to agree with most of what has been said. It looks to me like the shocks are "limiting" the upward travel of the wheel, in effect becoming bump stops. Shorter shocks and a more verticle mounting position are in order.

My main disagreement is with the term "bouncy"...Bouncy is soft and un-regulated by a shock absorber. You seem to be talking about "stiff", which may bounce you in the seat because of the way older truck seats were designed. The seat was basically part of the "suspension". It softened the stiffness of the truck by suspending the driver seperately.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

My main disagreement is with the term "bouncy"...Bouncy is soft and un-regulated by a shock absorber. You seem to be talking about "stiff", which may bounce you in the seat because of the way older truck seats were designed. The seat was basically part of the "suspension". It softened the stiffness of the truck by suspending the driver seperately.

Yeah, you are actually right. I'm was the one doing the bouncing!

[thirdstreettito]

Good info to know! Thanks C-30 for getting bounced around!

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

Good info to know! Thanks C-30 for getting bounced around!

Uss speshal peeple aulways hav too lern tha harred wayy!!

[powell72]

My wife's truck has the same problem, we have not done the relocator brackets yet and the shocks are completely bottomed out, so the rear is all spring, very bouncy.

BTW, the new ride height looks great! Wash that truck!

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by powell72

My wife's truck has the same problem, we have not done the relocator brackets yet and the shocks are completely bottomed out, so the rear is all spring, very bouncy.

BTW, the new ride height looks great! Wash that truck!

Thanks Chris! I love the front, but that rear still needs to come down just tad, so I'm going to make a set of 1" and 1.5" blocks so I can tweak it in.

I couldn't stand the suspense, so went out in the boneyard out back and grabbed a set of old GM spiral stock shocks off of a parts and put them on. It rides wonderful! Even with worn out old shocks, it handles and rides great. I just made an order for a set of drop shocks and relocators. I am also going to make an adjustable panhard bar at work this upcoming week. I can't wait to see how it rides with all the right stuff on there.

[Bob 68327]

I know it's bouncy right now but it looks great even dirty !! Bob

[texanidiot25]

If these springs are brand new, give them some time to settle in. They'll drop down a bit more once broken in.

[k5hart]

I agree whole completely on the shock relacators. It made a huge difference on my blazer even with the stock shocks. It was pretty amazing the difference!