How can I improve the ride?

[WhiteLX]

I have an 89 ext cab short bed and the ride has been driving me nuts. It's not so bad over large dips or bumps I can feel the suspension working, bump and rebound. Its the small road transitions, patched/cracked asphalt, road reflectors, and the like that are irritating me. Over the small stuff it's like I have no suspension at all, it's extremely harsh.

It is dropped with chassis tech 3" beams up front with stock springs. In the rear I flipped the stock shackles and removed the overload leaf. The rear bump stops have been trimed just shy of the framerails. I have Bilsteins all around, Ranger replacements up front, Nissan Hardbody spec in the rear. 17x8 Mustang Bullitts with 245/45r17 Nitto 555s on all 4 corners.

I'm not expecting a Cadillac ride, but my Mustang with much firmer suspension, solid bushings, and lower profile tires rides better than this.

I've considered swapping to a 16" wheel with 245/50R16s to see if that would improve the ride, but I'd hate to spend that much money and get no improvement. I just don't understand it because it has stock springs all around and Bilsteins. I bought the Bilsteins hoping it would improve over the old generic shocks that were on it, but there was no improvement.

 

[slammedxonair]

I sell tons of Doetsch Nitro Slammers to ranger guys and everybody seems to love the ride. I have no experiance with the Bilsteins though. I thought they were suppost to be pretty good shocks.

 

[Nosetackle63]

Replacement or lowered coils, and new/Re-arched leafs oughta do it. My ride was Caddy smooth with the front coils cut a turn. It improves the spring rate with worn out coils. I also removed the middle leaf in the pack, and again, silky smooth. Almost too spongy though. Also, replacement bumpstops and bushings all around couldnt hurt while you are at it!

 

[kaytbugsdad]

The bilsteins are VERY good shocks, but also VERY stiff as well, especially on a lowered truck....... granted you are riding on what is overall a stock suspension, the shocks might be too stiff....... I'm with slammedxonair, the Doetsch shocks are gonna give a much better ride!!!!