I like to keep my tires inflated to 80-85 PSI and that creates a rough ride. My truck sees more unloaded miles than towing miles.

It's not lifted and I use it for what it was designed for, highway use and towing.

I would like to change out my shocks to get a smoother ride. Is this do-able or is it a lost cause?

Which ones?

Thanks,
Windy

 

There isn't a shock in the world that will compensate for improperly inflated tires. Set your tire pressures appropriately for the operating conditions and you and your truck will be much happier for it. Your truck will ride an handle better and you will enjoy maximum tire life. Regardless of what you do about your tires, most here will tell you to get Bilstein 5100's, including me.

 

So it can not be done?

 

I have Bilsteins 5100 and they made a difference in the ride, but if your sold on running rock hard tires, you might have to upgrade to Kings, very pricey though, take a little air out of the tires and run Bilstein's might give you the ride your looking for.

 

The ride is the only thing, not bad just not car smooth, I know it's 3/4 ton truck and should ride rougher than a car. I'am just looking for some thing to give me a better ride than the stock shocks.

My truck handles the best at 80 PSI which is what the tires call for and I rotate the tires every 15,000 miles, twice now since I bought the truck and the tires are wearing even and no excessive wear. Only about half wore if even that much with 30,000 miles on them. My previous truck had the same tires and I got almost 70,000 miles on them with plenty of thread for summer time driving, needed some thing more for winter.

Any how just looking for some thing to give a little better ride with fully inflated tires than the stock shocks give for highway and towing conditions.

 

Your tires have a max inflation pressure of 80 psi. This is in no way related to proper operating pressures. When your truck is unloaded, 80 psi is way too much pressure and it will do absolutely nothing for you other than cause a very harsh ride. As stated, there is no shock that will compensate for improperly inflated tires. Take the time to set the inflation pressures properly and you will not experience the harsh ride of over inflated tires. The truck will handle just fine with 60 psi in the front and 40 psi in the rear when unloaded and will ride much better. Your tires will last the longest when proper inflation pressures are used since the full contact patch of tire will be on the ground instead of only a portion.

 

For a 2 MPG increase running max PSI I'll put up with a little harsher ride. Was just looking for a little better ride than stock provides.

The extra PSI doesn't bother me or any thing else except a little harsher ride so if that's all I can do then I'll just stay the way I am.

Seems like everyone is focused on the air pressure. Maybe I should have started a thread saying "WHICH SHOCK WILL GIVE ME A BETTER RIDE OVER STOCK". I'am not looking for cadillac or even car ride, this is a truck for gods sake. I'am looking for a shock that will improve ride over stock shocks.

 

just stay off bumpy roads!

 

The Monroe Reflex did help in the ride comfort for me. A little less punishing than stock when hitting potholes.

MikeyB

 

I put Ranchos on mine. They run a lot smoother. Most people on here would suggest the Bilsteins. The truth is the stock shocks are not very good. Bilsteins ,Monroe, KYB, Rancho, etc will help the ride.