Hard Riding 3500

[Merconvert]

My 3500 CC Long Bed Dually,Jolts your teeth Lose. I checked a local shop,$1,200 to redo Springs and install Airbags. Would improve Ride about 30 %. Another shop says go to Velvet Ride Shackles???
I need Helpppp !!!!! Watcha Think Gentlemen
Thanks Bob

2001 3500 CC Longbed Dually
1968 Merconvert
1929 Ford
1984 T Bird- Wifes Baby

[mdrag]

Merconvert,

Welcome to TDP forums. You should be able to find plenty of useful information.

Here is my recent post on the Velvet Ride shackles:

http://forum.62-65-dieselpage.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=000367&p=

I have the Velvet Rides on my '01 3500 CC - they do make a small improvement, but I'm not sure it is enough to justify the expense - and they were quite a challenge to install. The rear top shackle bolt would not clear a rivet head on the top of the frame - no matter what I tried. I ended up having to cut off the upper shackle bolt on both sides to install the VR...Also, the receiver will need to be lowered to do this job - not that big of a deal, but it may be more of a job than bargained for...

The problem on the 3500's is the VR shackles bring the OL springs really close to the factory frame contact pads, especially at the rear - and once the OL springs hit the contact pads -> no more benefit to the VR shackles. My OL springs were within 1/2" or less of hitting the frame contact pads after the VR install. I removed the rear contact pads for a month or two, and the ride was much better. Unfortunately, the contact pads cannot be lowered easily...

500+ lbs of weight in the bed does the most for the harsh ride... The rear Bilsteins seem to help some as well...

A search for VELVET RIDE in the 2500HD/3500 HD Trucks & Drivetrain forum turned up 20 hits - that should keep you reading for a while....Many of the VR posts are in that forum since the posts pre-dated the 2500HD/3500 Accessories forum. Good luck :D

[Big O]

Merconvert--
I realize the term 'rough' is relative to your experiences, but in my opinion my truck is by far the very best ride I EVER HAD IN ANY P/U! Bar none. Plus it is better in EVERY OTHER CATAGORY ALSO. It is 10 times better than the '92 Ford I had, and 5 times better than the 96 Dodge. My brothers have 1500 '02 and '03 Chevy, that don't ride any better.

[Merconvert]

Hey Thanks Guys
I just thought,I put long Shackles on to give me more clearence,when towing my 5th wheel. They put it right on the O L spring, and that is my problem. Big O your right,it does ride better then my 96 Dodge,oops, Nasty word!!! Guess I'll have to get the Wife a 6" foam pad to sit on.It's H---- getting old,the bones get sharper,ha ha. Again Thanks for the Repleys.
Bob

[JEBar]

Bob...I went the spring removal and air bag addition route ($1200 seems a bit high) and have found it to be one of the best after purchase additions I have made .... ride on par with my Z71 and the wife loves it ====> so much so I now have Bilsteins and a few other things on order with her blessing :D ....Jim

[CanadaKev]

Bob,
What are you running your tires at? If your running empty or lightly loaded drop your pressure down to 50-55 psi. It'll help soften it up some.
Also, tire quality makes a big difference too.

[FirstDiesel]

Guys

This isn't a real slam but I look at it this way. I've never owned a real truck before. I've had a few S10's and Subbie but I was expecting my 3500 to drive like a tank. I don't think it's really bad. A little rough at times but not bad. But remember, you bought a TRUCK. Get over it. If you want it to ride like a caddy buy a caddy. What did you expect when you bought something called a 2500HD or a 3500 Silverado anyway??? :confused:

[Ironhead]

First Diesel, Please dont take this as a slam, but look at all the things you added to your truck. Lucerix mirrirs, step up bars, headlight harness. Why??? to make the stock truck better. If someone wants to try and improve the ride as well, why does it bother you? A rough riding truck in my youth was fine, but some of us still need to work with a real truck. Any more comfort we can put on them makes the job that much more bearable. Caddys' dont pull 15,000# loads. Keep on truckin.... ;)

[FirstDiesel]

That's the point. Caddy's don't pull 15k so you buy a truck and expect it to ride like a caddy??? I didn't. It's a TRUCK and it's going to ride like a truck and to complain that it does is unreasonable.

[Merconvert]

Hey Ironhand

Thanks for the back up,ha ha. I just moved from Delhi in 2000. Yes us ole guys need,all the comfort we can get.
1st D I see your point too,but let us try to keep the bones in place!!!. Have a Good One

Bob

[JEBar]

Bob....AMEN to all the comfort we can get :D

Larry....most of the folks who post here have made a considerable number of modifications to their trucks. Some make little sense to me but since we all place different demands on our equipment, to get the best service out of their vehicles, they may choose to make modifications I don't need. Same is true of suspension mods....I happen to like a smooth ride and my acking back is much happier now than prior to making the changes to my truck...have a 1600 plus run coming up in 2 weeks and am most happy to know that I will be in much better condition (due to a smooth ride) when we return....Jim :cool:

[Ironhead]

Hey Bob, So you admit your from Delhi huh? :eek: har har , just funning ya a little, :D good luck on your quest for a smoother ride. To constantly seek to improve on what we have is the "American Way" jerry

[Heartbeat Hauler]

I would like to throw this out for discussion. I too am interested in improving the ride of my 01 3500. Most of the time it is fine but on a 16 hr pull to Texas my wife and I feel as though we have been beaten with ball bats. Now to my thought, instead of mushing up the rear suspension any chance there is a better quality seat available for our truck? I have seen some that have built in air ride, but they seem to be for large trucks & buses. ANy ideas along this line.
JP

[Ironhead]

Heartbeat, I asked the same question (air ride seats) on the accesseries forum a couple of weeks ago with no luck. I am told their is nothing for low profile cabs because the air seats need more room for up and down movement. I wish someone would invent one for our trucks, I agree that would be better than messing with the suspension. I have been intriged by the air ride suspensions but without knowing how well they would do I am hesitent to put out the big bucks for a gamble on them.

Merconvert, I have the velvet rides and dont think they make enough difference to justify. At first I thought I could tell a difference but after riding in a friends truck like mine to compare, I doubt they are doing any good.

[Heartbeat Hauler]

IRONHEAD,
I hear ya brother. Those bad boys are upwards of 1000 bucks each. I have been checking the Recaro web site but they don't look like they have anything and they haven't responded to my e-mail. Oh well, thank God for Apirin & Ben Gay :D
JP

[mfontana]

JEBar :Could you please provide some details on the leaf removal from the pack. How many, which ones.

thanks

[ 09-20-2002: Message edited by: mfontana ]</p>

[JEBar]

mfontana...since I entered the above information I have learned that when I was told they were going to remove two rear leaf springs, they were talking about a total of two, NOT as I first thought two from each side. Looking at the springs on my truck, they removed the long one (just under 5' long) which I believe was located directly below the spring that is attached to the frame. Since having this work done, I've put over 2,000 miles on my truck (50/50 towing and running empty) and am thoroughly pleased with this modification. She rides much better under all conditions and hasn't lost any pulling/hauling capacity. Hope this helps, Jim

[Heartbeat Hauler]

JEBar,
You are probably right about hauling or towing capacity as that is a function of the drive train, but I would venture to say that the amount of weight you can carry safely has definitly been effected. I would bet that the GVWR is less than when all leaves were in place. THis is not a problem if you are not exceeding the GVWR you now have with the leaf removed. I would hesitate to load the truck to max or close to it. Anything will work for awhile but over time there will be issues. Just my $.02 worth.
JP

[ 09-20-2002: Message edited by: Heartbeat Hauler ]</p>

[dmaxstu]

Here I go again I don't know how many times I've done this before but here goes.
Some of you should be looking at the Moryde RL mod it does'nt matter how hard your truck rides,it will smooth it out you can even add leafs and the ride will still be good you can raise or lower the back 1 inch either up or down it will not affect your load carrying capacity. The rear of the leaf springs are attached to a couple of big rubber shear springs. And the real nice part is it is maintenance free,and no air adjustments, install it and forget it. A note of caution if you have added or removed leafs the Moryde folks have to know, it requires different parts for these events.
I just completed a 5200 MI. trip in great comfort in what was once a rough riding truck. and the truck was loaded to the full GVW. Right now she's back down to 7500# and still rides good. Stu

[George]

Boys, I am over on the Dodge page having bravely left the Chevie camp after years here. My 93 is now my brother's and I have the last great Cummins (2002 HO/6spd). I like simple, reliable things. But it is a rough rider when over 50 years of age. So I have been involved with research on smoothing this baby out (oh yeah, Edge EZ as well). Here is what I have learned from Dodge hotshotters etc. Velvets don't make enough difference. Mor/rydes best relief for the money. Kelderman air the ultimate. Nobody makes floater seats yet but National working on it and will have a beta soon I get to play with. It will be a module you put under your seat. Arm rests that don't move will take a little getting used to. Hotshotters are scavenging the used truck/wrecking yards and modifying "compact" bases to their seats. I am still between Mor/ryde and Kelderman. Will probably opt for the caddy Kelderman front and rear air. But Mor/rydes are well regarded for a rear softening that does not matter if loaded or not. You can put them in your 5'er etc and really helps smooth out your truck ride as well as keep the dishes in the cupboard. Losing a leaf is ok but accelerates spring tension loss. You can add one to the overload keeping the 2" of space for empty ride quality but having the added spring capacity when loaded. This is a culmination of about 40 days of digging. Good luck! George Eusterman

[ct0218]

Does the Mor-Ryde mod have to be done at their facility, or is it a D-I-Y? How much does it usually cost on a 3500?

[George]

Regarding the Mor/ryde just search their site. It is a DIY (screwityerself)and somewhere between 500 to $1000. I forgot to mention that in my research National Spring creates 13 leafers that are smoother riding and hear they have front spring replacements. I have not learned what the load issues are yet but understand them to be extremently comfortable riding. George

[dmaxstu]

I installed the Mor/Rydes myself but it helps to have a son who is a welder and could burn the rivets off the OEM springhanger mounts. That made it a lot easier.

I too made a study of these different suspension mods and if I had a 3500 truck I would have gotten the Fleetco Products 'Comfort Ride' www.fleetcoproducts.com this is a complete airide like you find on buses etc. throw away the rear springs entirely. They used to have a display in Campers World and they looked very high quality. Stu

[Heartbeat Hauler]

I checked out the Mor/Ryde site. Looks like only the two wheel drive guys get this neat little product. I'll be watin' for national to get the seat thingy(technical term)going.
JP

[trailhorserider]

Fleetco appears to have gone out of business. Hopefully, their designs will be purchased in bankruptcy by another company. In the meantime I may have the only 3500 with a Fleetco suspension. Works very well, but expensive and not DIY unless you are very handy. I like the fact that the ride level is the same regardless of the load in the bed.

This really made a difference in the empty and light-towing ride, but I also believe that it is significantly decreasing the wear and tear on my 13,000+ lb. LQ horse trailer. Probably worth the money if a) you are keeping the truck for a long time and b) you are towing something expensive such a a large 5th wheel.

I though about an air suspension gooseneck hitch, but didn't want to give up the additional storage in the bed.

Rick T

[socaltoolguy]

I hope I am not going to say something that has already been said but when I got my 2001 3500 CC duallie it sat so high in the back that I had to use a step stool to get in the bed. Also my wife complained that the truck rode too rough on the cement sectioned freeways here in So. Cal. I had the overload springs removed, put the big fat leafs up on top to keep the spring pack pretty much the same and installed 3" extended shackles for a total drop of 4". The truck now rides great. It still has a hop when towing our 30 foot travel trailer on the freeways but when on the open road it rides like a Caddy. The freeways here SUCK! Hope this info is helpful.

[JEBar]

just returned from a 1,660 mile trip to the Northeast Diesel gettogether in Cornwall, CN. first 400 or so miles had over a 1000 pounds in the bed, the rest running empty, my suspension alterations outlined above worked wonderfully. She realy road well ...even in Penn. where they apparently have forgotten how to work on their interstate roads. 7 hour driving days were a pleasure and my back doesn't hurt!!! ... Jim :D

[George]

In continued research on getting a nice empty ride with plenty of hauling capacity I talked with the Swain spring shop in Great Falls MT. I asked about removing a leaf under the top main spring and they said the truck would fall down around it. It appears that a spring fix would be thinner springs in a 13 leaf pack with a 5 or 6 leaf overload, eliminating any "blocks" and making everything solid spring. This would be the spring "fix". The air ride fix seems to be the Kelderman basic rear system that replaces the rear shackle with an arm attached to an air bag. Manual or auto air fill for different loads. I just ordered one of these. George

[MadDuraMax]

Here are a few generic things to look for in an aftermarket (or any) active (automatic) air ride:

- The trailing (leading) arms should be rubber bushed at the frame connection and the axle.

- The trailing arms should be stout enough to handle torque reaction from braking and excelleration if they are a single arm (dual arms take care of this by design.

- There should be an air drying method provided.

- If there is only one hieght control valve, how does the manufacturer address body roll? (particularly when running light wieghts)

- Ask if the HCV is an immediate response (IR) type or delayed response type. The IR valves would consume a lot of air in our application.

- Frame attachment brackets should bolt or weld to the sides of the frame, not top or bottom.

These are all key considerations in the life of the air ride, frame and axle.

Mark