2nd gen Ride quality

I've got a 2014 DC 4wd. From the time I got it new... it rides "soft". I'm sure you know what I mean. Built for comfort, basically. I do a lot of hiway driving, but also spend time in pastures, in corn stubble, secondary roads, basically farm country.

What are my options if I want to stiffen up the suspension? I wouldn't be doing any work myself. I'm not really a "car guy" when it comes to mechanical stuff. I don't want to invest $2k. But if I could stiffen up the suspension by something simple like new shocks at a local shop, I'd do it.

I spend a lot of time in the detailing sub-forum, but not as much time in the 2nd gen Forum. So I don't even know where to begin searching for my answer.

So. Can you help me out? Is New shocks and leaf springs the direction I should go? Thanks.

 

You're going to get all of the same answers as if you asked, "what's the best lift..."

And I know you've read those threads.

If you don't want to lift it, go with 883 coils instead of 885s

 

Ha yeah I hear ya. Nope I don't want a lift. Just want a stiffer ride that feels like an older 4x4 and not a Camry.

So it's shocks + coils that I need? And not just shocks?

Would a new leaf pack stiffen up the back end? Or just shocks?

 

Shocks won't stiffen anything. You'll need a leaf pack and shocks. I'm sure Deaver would set you up with a nice zero lift stiffer leaf pack. I've heard of a couple folks buying Dakars and removing the upper overload spring (there are 2) as well as the third leaf from the top. You could probably sell the ones you pull pretty easily, but I'd just do a custom pack to be assured you're happy with the ride.

 

Already done.

 

Its sounding like to achieve what I want (stiffer suspension)... I'd basically be doing the exact same thing as if I were doing a 1" or 2" lift (but 883 instead of 885 and different leaf pack).

And if I'd appreciate an inch or two of lift... I might as well do it now because it could essentially be a "side effect" of what I'm wanting to do to the suspension anyway.

An inch or two lift would be great. I never thought about doing it because of expense. But it's really not a cost at all if I'm wanting a different suspension anyway.

So... 885's, 5100's on 4 corners and a new leaf pack. That'll get me an inch or two of lift and a slightly stiffer ride.

Am I on track with my thinking?

 

Hell, if you want stiff just throw in some front coil spacers and a rear lift block. 250$ later and it rides like a 75 chevy with a 6" lift kit.

 

Is this real advice or being facetious? Ha I can't tell, sorry!

 

You're right on track. 885s gave me the exact same lift as 5100s set at 1.75" setting on stock coils.

 

He's humorously suggesting you want your truck to ride like shit

 

A very small coil spacer lift and 1” rear blocks?

 

You can order a custom leaf pack from Alcan. Order as little as zero lift. You can also order heavier duty leafs (thicker) for more load capacity.

 

What setting on the billsteins on the 885's?

 

Bilstein 4600 shocks will firm the ride up without leaf packs and coils.

 

And that would get me a stiffer ride all around at less cost. Hmm...

 

Always keep billy’s at 0 with any spring

Let the coil do the lifting

 

The valving is not as soft as a factory shock, you wont feel the body roll and sway and will have better handling on the street as well.

 

So Billie 1.75 on stock coils is doable but not advisable?

 

Bilstein 5100's set at 0 with Eibach 112620 coils will give you 1.6" lift and a nice stiff ride plus pretty well level the truck. Add a single leaf AAl in the rear and you'll stiffen that up and get your factory rake back.

 

When you say "pretty level", will the front still sit slightly lower than the rear?