Better ride quality?

[rctech]

My 97 regular cab splash rides like absolute crap. I put new shocks on it, and it didn't really change much of anything. The front suspension isn't so bad, it's just the rear that feels like there's no suspension travel at ALL. Are there different leaf springs I can run for a smoother ride? I'm getting kinda tired of driving around with 200lbs of water jugs in the rear of the bed just so I don't break my spine.

 

[doorgunner]

test drive it without rear shocks on a local road less than 35 mph....but be very careful or it will get sideways fast...matter of fact--don't try it unless your sure you can handle it!

Did it still ride as rough?

If it rode smoother, then you need car shocks to smooth out the bumps...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Try taking out a leaf.

Richard

 

[doorgunner]

Try taking out a leaf.

Richard

yep...another good idea....the fattest one at the bottom of the pack is the one to remove(but you won't be able to carry heavy loads unless you install adjustable air shocks--keep minimum pressure in them until you carry something in the bed--then air up the shocks)

 

[tajvelocity]

Mine rides a bit rough in the rear mostly. I'm mildly lifted (Fabtech spindles, Belltech shackles out back with 5100's rear, regular height Bilsteins in front) and when I hit a significant bump on the highway the rear will end up what feels like a foot from where it was, especially in a turn. All bushings are new. I know this is not the same thing as what the OP was asking...or is it? I was going to ADD a leaf because my leafs are a little flat after the shackle lift. Is this a bad idea? Will it get even rougher?

 

[clvanhorn]

from my experience with adding leaves, yes, it will get rougher. but, this does depend on what leaf you add. for instance, if you add a helper leaf from a 1 ton truck, it will most likely jar you so bad your teeth fall out. but if you add a thin light duty leaf from something that doesn't way much, you might not notice a difference at all.

 

[tajvelocity]

Yeah that's kind of what I thought. I just want to get about another inch higher in the rear and don't want to compress my spine more than it already is over bumps. This seems like the easiest, cheapest way.

 

[doorgunner]

Yeah that's kind of what I thought. I just want to get about another inch higher in the rear and don't want to compress my spine more than it already is over bumps. This seems like the easiest, cheapest way.

I know what you mean...the rear end hits a bad bump & tries to get in the other lane!

You need to correct that before it gets dangerous in a curve...

 

[jackman454]

You could try lowering the PSI of your tires. I have leaky tires, I know its time to fill them up when the ride gets smoother.

 

[rangergi]

What if you aal to compensate for the added weight. Like a heavy camper shell and a couple hundred pounds of recovery equipment? Will it still make the ride tougher than if none of that stuff was in/on my bed.

 

[The purple one]

If you think your ranger rides too hard go buy a car! It is a truck with wimmpy springs as it is. If it is (spine braking) you need a car. Trucks are made to haul things and I drive my ranger when I want a car like ride

 

[adsm08]

Ford Ranger:

Cadillac CTS:

Hmmm, yes. I can see where you could get the two confused.