1973 C20 stock suspension is WAY too rough. Help me!!!

[bigbird90650]

Hi
I just got a 73 C20 and it rides WAY too rough for me. The rear is the worst. I'm not going to be hauling or towing very much at all. I want a softer ride. The rear leafs are 9 leaf. Can I remove a few leafs to soften things up? It has some airbags in the back that help it haul more I think. I haven't messed with them at all. I'm new to suspension so can you please be super detailed with your help. Thanks so much.

[zieg85]

What kind of tires do you have.  I had a 72 K20.  It was a very harsh ride with the 7.50x16 tires on split rims.  Put some radial tires on it and it road a lot better.  Tires and shocks is where I would start.

[bigbird90650]

I have 33x12.50x16.5 BFG All Terrrains all the way around. Shocks are old. Rear suspension seems like it doesn't have springs at all. I know that a pickup always rides better with some weight in the bed but this thing is ROUGH. Can I remove some leafs out of the springs? Thanks

[87454westernhauler]

i wonder if u remove the air bags first. i have a 74 c20 and it doesnt ride to bad with radials on it.

[beastie_3]

No need to remove them, just lower the PSI. But with 9 leafs...

[bake74]

I have 33x12.50x16.5 BFG All Terrrains all the way around.Shocks are old . Rear suspension seems like it doesn't have springs at all. I know that a pickup always rides better with some weight in the bed but this thing is ROUGH. Can I remove some leafs out of the springs? Thanks

     As Zieg said, replace your shocks first, bad shocks have no compression or damper motion on them and will act like you are riding on just your springs.
     After that make sure all your suspension mounts (spring bolts on eyelets and shackles ) are not over tightened, one mistake is over tightening the hardware and not allowing the suspension to flex properly.

[bigbird90650]

No need to remove them, just lower the PSI. But with 9 leafs...

But with 9 leafs...what? Can I remove some? Should I remove some? Which ones do I remove? Can I put 1/2 ton leafs on the back of my truck? Will they fit? Thanks

[gto109]

i have 3/4 ton rear leaves on my half ton.  I don't know if you will be able to fit the 33's with half ton springs though.

[Blazin]

As everyone else stated I would start with the basics. Shocks, and or empty the bags.
33x12.5s on a C 20? They don't rub the fenders in the front when you turn??

[bake74]

As everyone else stated I would start with the basics. Shocks, and or empty the bags.
33x12.5s on a C 20? They don't rub the fenders in the front when you turn??

     Good catch Blazin.    I glossed right over the "c-20" part and assumed he meant that he had a k-10.

[Da67goatman]

What pressure are you running in your tires?  not more than 30psi I hope.  You could remove leafs, but that reduces the ride height and load capacity, but you can pick up a block kit for like 35 bucks to bring it back up to proper height and the bags will bring the capacity back up.

[bigbird90650]

As everyone else stated I would start with the basics. Shocks, and or empty the bags.
33x12.5s on a C 20? They don't rub the fenders in the front when you turn??

Yeah they did rub until I trimmed the bottom of the fenders.

[bake74]

As everyone else stated I would start with the basics. Shocks, and or empty the bags.
33x12.5s on a C 20? They don't rub the fenders in the front when you turn??

Yeah they did rub until I trimmed the bottom of the fenders.

     Ok now we have to see pics, have you posted any pics of your truck yet ?  Are you going for the 2wd with just a little taller stance ?

[78 Chevyrado]

You can def remove some leafs, pretty easily, just seems like it would be easier to air-down the airbags first and try it then.  If you're talking about maybe putting 1/2 ton springs on it, you obviously arent worried about load capacity so you can just get rid of the bags altogether. 

It doesn't matter if you put 1/4 ton springs on it, if those bags are aired up too much its going to be rough.  with the truck unloaded, and with proper springs in place, you should have zero pressure in the bags anyway when its unloaded.  Unless you plan on hauling more than 2500lbs in it, I dont really see a need for the bags anyway.   Somewhere around 2500lbs load makes mine sit about level.

Also since you have bigger tires, removing leafs will lower the truck, which may be bad.  Although you could also use that to level the truck out.

Mine has the 9 leafs and I love the way it rides, but admittedly it usually only sees smooth roads.  I hate speed bumps though, theyre bad on the back.

[VileZambonie]

33"s on a C20 and trimmed fenders with air helpers.... Did you buy it like this? Why such a setup? Everyone who told you to replace your shocks first is 100% right - use a good ride quality shock. As far as the rest of your setup I think everyone is curious as to why you have such a set up and what you use the truck for.