Wanting smoother ride. Convert 3/4 to 1/2 ton?

[firefighter]

Happy New Year fellow 73-87 Chevy Truck members.
I rebuilt my truck here with many of you about 4 years ago.
Here is the link: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=21690.0
The chassis is a 1976 K20 with a BB Chevy 468 motor.

The reason I’m starting this thread is to get some thoughts about softening the ride quality of this 3/4 ton beast.
Please know I DID do some searching first, but would like some interaction for myself and anyone else who may be in this situation.
If you know of other links specifically to this topic, I’d enjoy reading them.

As mentioned above, my truck is a 1976 K20 (4 WD – 3/4 ton) rough riding son of a gun.  It’s got a 4” Rough Country lift on it now with 35” tires. It has 4” blocks in the back and new leafs in the front. I have the front sway bar and drop steering arm.
I just don’t haul heavy loads in it anymore and the roads around here in my small community aren’t the smoothest.

Two things I want to do are to raise the truck from 4” lift to 6” lift, and soften the ride.
The rear leafs are 6 springs tall now and I have no problem buying new leafs.
Here’s the big question. Can I simply convert this 3/4 ton truck to a 1/2 ton by just changing suspension to 1/2 ton leaf springs? I have 52” rear springs now, which are the same length as a 1/2 ton spring.
I believe the front springs are the same physical dimension (length and width) for 1/2 and 3/4 ton?

What companies offer a 6” suspension lift with supposedly softer ride quality?
I’d buy a kit with front and rear springs

Please help me soften the ride of this truck!!   

[VileZambonie]

You want your cake and eat it too. 

So you want to lift it two more inches and have a softer ride and generally speaking that's not going to happen unless you have a lot of money and time to make that happen. A few things you need to think about, solid axle trucks usually do not equate to soft rides with a 6" lift. If you truly want a modern softer ride a total suspension redesign needs to happen. I don't know anyone with a 6" lift that has a Cadillac ride except for a friend who converted his to IFS. You could add a body lift but personally I dislike body lifts. In my experience if you are going to stick with solid axles and want a 6" lift this would be my recipe:

All spring lift, good radial tires, high quality shocks, crossover steering and here's the most overlooked part, the seat. Spend the money on a high quality seat. the factory seat was made to eject you out of the truck. Racing seats are garbage and provide no comfort, seats from another application or modern truck will not help. The seat and it's restraint system can help you from bouncing and jiggling all over the place so factor that into your budget if ride quality is your #1 concern.

[SomeTexan]

There is a place called Alcan, I believe in Colorado, that builds leaf springs to order. You call them up, tell them how you use your truck, how high you want it and how much it weighs and they take care of the rest. They made all 4 springs for my 93 Cummins and it was awesome. Smooth ride that flexed decent off road and still towed great. They are a little more expensive than kits, but they are made to order, exactly for what you want. Not a one-size-fits-all kit that is the same for everyone.

[firefighter]

LoL.... Maybe I should clarify just a little bit.  I KNOW I'll never have a Cadillac ride and that's not really even close to what I'm looking for. Heck, I'm not even expecting a Mini Van or sports car ride. I just want to soften it up from where it is now.
I don't really even think it's the front end... but more so the back. Of course there isn't much weight there and the truck is a 3/4 ton.
On some of the bumps I drive over daily, I really think the rear tires jump of of the ground (ok, maybe not).
It's just a rough ride and I would like to make it a bit softer if I can.

I like my taller truck. I get a lot of compliments on it and I love driving it. Heck, I'm very proud of it!!
I'm not planning on going crazy with a custom suspension, but I'd like to raise it 2" taller. If I'm going to spend the money on that I'd like to get a 6" suspension lift package that includes all 4 springs, shocks etc...
I know some companies are know better for their ride quality so I'd like to buy from them.

Is there any reason I can't put 1/2 ton springs on a 3/4 ton truck? I'm guessing that would help the rear end a bit, where most of the roughness seems to be coming from.

Here's what I believe I've read here on the forum and I'd appreciate your input:
Better ride lift kits:    SkyJacker

Middle of the road: Tuff Country and Rancho

I have Rough Country now and it's rough alright... but again, I know it's a 3/4 ton truck with a 4" lift already.

Thanks guys!!

[enaberif]

If you want a smoother ride this is how...

Shackle flip in the rear with 56" rear springs if you haven't got those already. That will give you 4" plus a softer ride due to the spring length then either get the 1" add a leaf for a total of 5" or get the add a leaf for the extra 1" then invest in shackles to make up for the extra height.

For the front invest in Tuff Country springs and get longer shackles for the front.

You won't find much difference in ride quality between a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton because no matter what trucks are light in the rear end and always ride harsh.

[Irish_Alley]

the ½ tons and ¾ use the same springs, with a lift its the same exact kit on a stock truck they just add more springs. so you wont improve anything by saying you have a ½ ton and get the ½ ton springs. where you will see the difference is getting away from rough country, every one i know (me included) has nothing nice to say about them due to the ride. the only thing you can say is how cheap they are.

so either do as enaberif said or go with skyjackers soft ride or ez ride

[Rattler12]

Let some air outta your tires......

[gunrac]

Let some air outta your tires......

That's what I do.........a lot of air, unless she's workin.

[SomeTexan]

LoL.... Maybe I should clarify just a little bit.  I KNOW I'll never have a Cadillac ride and that's not really even close to what I'm looking for. Heck, I'm not even expecting a Mini Van or sports car ride. I just want to soften it up from where it is now.
I don't really even think it's the front end... but more so the back. Of course there isn't much weight there and the truck is a 3/4 ton.
On some of the bumps I drive over daily, I really think the rear tires jump of of the ground (ok, maybe not).
It's just a rough ride and I would like to make it a bit softer if I can.

I like my taller truck. I get a lot of compliments on it and I love driving it. Heck, I'm very proud of it!!
I'm not planning on going crazy with a custom suspension, but I'd like to raise it 2" taller. If I'm going to spend the money on that I'd like to get a 6" suspension lift package that includes all 4 springs, shocks etc...
I know some companies are know better for their ride quality so I'd like to buy from them.

Is there any reason I can't put 1/2 ton springs on a 3/4 ton truck? I'm guessing that would help the rear end a bit, where most of the roughness seems to be coming from.

Here's what I believe I've read here on the forum and I'd appreciate your input:
Better ride lift kits:    SkyJacker

Middle of the road: Tuff Country and Rancho

I have Rough Country now and it's rough alright... but again, I know it's a 3/4 ton truck with a 4" lift already.

Thanks guys!!

Like I said, call Alcan. The last time I got leafs from them, the 4 spring packs made to order cost about the same (+/- $100) as a Superlift kit with 4 springs. They don't come with anything but the springs, but the increase in quality and ride is more than worth it. Remember, one size fits all doesn't fit anyone correctly. You might be suprised how close to a Caddy ride you can get.

[firefighter]

Thanks a bunch for the replies. I truly appreciate you taking your time to give ideas, suggestions and knowledge.
I realize our trucks weren't intended to ride smooth but I really believe I can soften it up a bit from where it is now.

I'm running 60 PSI in my tires now and you know, I never gave a thought to something as simple as that. Every little bit helps I'm sure.   How far do you air them down? 40?  35?
I never thought about a better seat either. Great suggestion!!

Thank you SomeTexan for the recommendation of the Alcan custom spring company. I filled out the preliminary quote sheet and they quoted me $1400 for new springs. I'm considering that as an option.

I know some of you have done shackle flips but didn't I read that by doing that, it ends up moving the rear axle forward so it's no longer centered in the wheel opening? Also, if I did that, I'd still need new springs (since I want to get away from the 3/4 ton ones now). How do you know what springs to order if I want to end up matching the front 6" lift? It seems people talk about it adding around 4" but I'd hate for the truck to look not level with the front?

I also read about longer shackles. Does doing this add height or soften the ride because of it, or both?

Thanks again guys. I appreciate the input.
I love this truck and how it turned out after a complete rebuild. I really enjoy showing it off as my daily driver.
2 back surgeries will do wonders to push you into any type of helpful suspension change. LoL...   

[Irish_Alley]

the tire psi depends on what you intend to do. i know my tires that i had on my 1 ton were up there think it was 85 maybe 65 but i remember it was ridiculously high. i put them on my ½ ton at a tire shop they asked if i plan on towing with it so they aired them to 45 and said if not you will be all over. same deal when i had my super swampers on my mud truck on the road they say a high number but for better ride i would put them lower. i never understood why tires down have a minimum psi but the lower you go the drag increases leading to more tire wear and less mpgs

[enaberif]

I know some of you have done shackle flips but didn't I read that by doing that, it ends up moving the rear axle forward so it's no longer centered in the wheel opening? Also, if I did that, I'd still need new springs (since I want to get away from the 3/4 ton ones now). How do you know what springs to order if I want to end up matching the front 6" lift? It seems people talk about it adding around 4" but I'd hate for the truck to look not level with the front?

It moves the axle forward by like 1/4" at most and it really isn't noticeable at all. Here is a picture of my truck with the 4" shackle flip done on the back  ... http://i.imgur.com/ZYgSJ7I.jpg

My rear end does sit lower than the front because the springs are worn out but once I install the 1" add a leaf it should level out or be dang close.

If you want your rear springs to be better find out how many leaves you have in them and remove some if need to soften the ride.

If you have had back surgeries stay away from a 6 lift. Between climbing in the truck and roughness you will end up with you are not going to enjoy the truck.