Lowered my 98 now have a question

[jshort51]

I just lowered my 98 2wd ...2/3 dmj
Very satisfied with the look however I read pros and cons on shock replacement...I decided to use the existing shocks as they were new and see how the ride was. I read diferent opinions Lowered schocks vs standered.
I think the ride is much stiffer than before. Will the shocks made for a lowered truck make that big of a difference or is the repacement spring stiffer??? anyone lowered there truck and experianced the same??

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

a stiffer ride can be caused by binding in the suspension or most likely a change in spring rates between manufacturers (OE ford vs aftermarket brand X). shorter shocks would help if you were bottoming out the shock when compressing the suspension, but i dont see that being a problem with the stock length shocks unless you moved their mounting locations.

 

[Casper98]

Did you cut your bump stops down at all?

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

^ Thats a good point, i didnt even think about that........

 

[jshort51]

I replaced the Bump Pads with the ones provided in the kit.
I also replaced the bushings in the leaf springs ...front abd rear of spring... Was wondering if maybe they are tightened to tight or not enough
We hitting a bump or crosssing RR tracks the rearend feels kind of shaky as well as stiff.
Anyone know of torque specs for the shakles

 

[1freaky1]

When I lowered my 98 it did stiffen the ride up, I finally replaced the front shocks with lowered ones and it did help as for the rear shocks I relocated the top mounting points to a cross rail and it helped out there. As for the torque specs you can find them online most likely.