Trucks are equipped with suspension systems to provide comfort to the driver and passenger. Likewise, the suspension keeps a truck in good condition during the bumpy rides and rough terrain of a typical route. If you think about it, trucks – and any other type of vehicle for that matter – experience a rapid stream of vibrations and shocks during a trip.
For example, a dirt road creates endless vibrations that must be absorbed by the underside of your truck. Even if a road is paved, the journey along the way can be full of turns, descents and inclines. The situation is even more hectic when you have to drive up slopes and make sharp turns.
How can you make freight transport easier? The following steps can make a big difference:
- Reduce unsprung mass
- Soften the hanging system
- Replace wheels and tires
- Changed chassis
- Eliminate the vibrations
- Get new leaf springs
With these types of adjustments you also help the truck. Imagine if those bumps in the road caused vibrations across the axles, in the engine and under your seat. Without a suspension system, driving your truck would be uncomfortable. Moreover, the truck would be damaged quite quickly along the bottom.
The improved comfort you get as a driver is just one of the benefits you get from adjusting the suspension system, which can also be good for the vehicle itself and its lifespan.
Reduce unsprung mass
A truck needs its suspension system to function as a strong, safe passenger vehicle. Admittedly, not all trucks roll off the track with optimized suspension systems. Chances are the suspension under your truck could use a lift. The two basic keys to smoother suspension are reducing unsprung weight and softening the suspension.
To reduce the unsprung weight of your truck, you need to reduce the combined mass of the components of the vehicle's underbody. When less weight is placed on tires, wheels, hubcaps and suspension components, the suspension can more easily handle the effects of rough terrain. In principle, the suspension and wheels should be relatively light in relation to the overall weight of the vehicle.
To achieve real comfort, the suspension must be softer. With soft suspension, vibrations and bumps in certain terrain can be easily absorbed. This protects your truck's chassis from the effects of road imperfections, whether you're driving on a dirt road or an older boulevard.
Lower unsprung weight and softer suspension will improve the truck's ride quality and likely extend the life of the underbody components. That said, the chassis will still absorb some of the shock that comes with imperfect terrain, but there are other steps you can take to make the ride even smoother.
Soften the hanging system
The first thing most truck owners do to smooth out the ride is choose a softer suspension. The reasons for this are obvious, as a softer suspension will generally deliver the most immediate changes to the driving experience. If you've ever wondered how to improve the ride quality of a car or truck, the answer is simple: soft suspension.
Softening the suspension generally consists of two steps. To start, replace the existing shock absorbers with a lighter set. These soft absorbers are designed primarily for comfort. Second, the vehicle's springs should be replaced with a softer pair, in other words, lower rated leaf springs.
Shocks designed for comfort rather than performance are common and therefore an easy solution for anyone who wants their ride to be smooth. But if you want to give your truck a smoother ride all around, the best option is to get adjustable shock absorbers. Furthermore, these shock absorbers must have full air suspension.
The best options in the latter category are dual-rated shock absorbers that allow you to individually adjust the truck's firmness and ride height. This way you can adjust the settings to your own comfort level as a driver and you don't have to deal with too high a height to achieve the right firmness, or vice versa.
Depending on the specs of your truck, it can be difficult to find a softer set of direct-change springs, especially if you want to keep the installation within the confines of a normal setup. In this case, your best bet is to simply contact a spring supplier and explain to the representative what exactly you hope to achieve with your truck.
Replace wheels and tires
For large wheels, using low profile tires can be a double-edged sword. Although the tires are generally considered aesthetically pleasing, they have their limitations on trucks. Low profile tires can seriously undermine the comfort of your travels. This is due to the lower aspect ratio of such tires, which are stiffer and have less space for air.
Unlike the fatter tires on older trucks, low profile tires are stronger because of their stiffer sidewalls and thinner proportions. Therefore, low profile tires have less ability to absorb the turbulence of the terrain and are therefore less able to deliver smooth rides.
The large rims that come with such tires can also be problematic for large vehicles. First, large rims can saddle a truck with excess weight, making the lower portion of the vehicle much heavier than desired. Wheels in this high weight category may run less smoothly over turbulent terrain due to their inflated unsprung mass, making them less responsive when a truck drives over gravel and bumps on the sidewalk.
To make driving more comfortable, it is best to choose wheels that are light and narrow. IdealTire dimensions may not exceed 18 inches in diameter and 7 inches in width.
To get the best possible driving experience with thin modern wheels, choose tires that are thin and long, preferably with an aspect ratio of 60+. When you fill the tires,Go three to five psi below the recommended tire pressure. This makes the tires softer and shock-absorbing.
In any case, avoid newer run-flat tires. The stiffness does not make smooth driving of the truck possible. Remember: the right tires and air pressure can help you get the best suspension for a smooth ride.
Modified chassis
In a large and heavy truck, the components that connect your tires together can affect your handling and smoothness, which will in turn affect your overall comfort. If the components are incredibly stiff, there won't be as much flexibility under the vehicle for the suspension to soften the sudden buckling caused by potholes and other deviations along your route.
Changes can be made to the chassis that will help make a lifted truck ready to drive. Lightweight suspension components should be used instead of heavier ones. If available, select brake parts that are lighter than those originally supplied with the vehicle.
Components made from carbon fiber, ceramic and aluminum can help you remove significant amounts of weight from the underside of your truck, which will in turn lead to a smoother ride. Other parts that will reduce weight include carbon fiber axles as these will help you reduce the unsprung mass of the truck.
In general, trucks drive easier with independent suspension. Trucks with solid axles, on the other hand, will give you a stiffer ride due to the extra weight. Admittedly, it is not always possible to convert from heavy axles to a lighter alternative. Therefore, this may not be the most suitable or even realistic option for your specific truck, especially if you are concerned about voiding the warranty on a newer vehicle.
If your truck hits potholes on one side but not the other, a thinner bar will provide a smoother ride and save you from some bumps. However, this can also make the vehicle more difficult to drive, especially if the thin bar is paired with lighter springs and softer shocks.
Eliminate the vibrations
Examine the underside of your truck to see if the vibration damper parts need to be replaced. To protect the chassis from the impact of vibration along a turbulent road, consider the use of new body bushings.
Another way to smooth out vibrating effects is to double stack the rubber ringscoil springs. To prevent the rubber from rattling, grease the rings before putting them in place. If you only want to use one layer of rings, make sure the pre-installed rings are in good condition. If not, replace them with new ones.
Of course, a certain amount of vibration is likely to bypass these buffers. When dealing with this problem, consider the possibility of rubber pucks in the driveshaft. In this way, the vibrations from the gravel and uneven terrain are better isolated and less annoying. Rubber insulators can be mounted in both the drive shaft and the steering column.
Additional options that can make the ride smoother include the use of rubber strips along the floor and seats. Installing these strips between the floorboard and your seat brackets can make your ride feel more shock-absorbing and much less jarring, even when driving on unpaved back roads.
Granted, if you want to have these types of modifications done to your truck, it may be best to let a professional do the job. Installation can sometimes be tricky and the aim is to make the truck more comfortable to drive, but without compromising the safety and stability of the vehicle. After all, the purpose of a truck is to handle rough terrain and tolerate a certain amount of abuse without sacrificing performance.
Do airbags make my truck drive smoother?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions among truck owners. Although airbags can help, the better option for an improved suspension is to purchase new and improved leaf springs. Depending on the size of your truck, you may need to add leaves to your springs to get the necessary lift and smoothness out of your vehicle. If the springs that came with your truck have worn out over time, a new set of springs can easily improve the vehicle's performance.
Another common question about suspension modifications is whether they can make a vehicle less stable. This is an understandable concern given the stiffness of today's trucks. After all, trucks are built to transport heavy loads. For a vehicle to be strong, it must be stiff. But for the vehicle to be comfortable, there needs to be some softness to balance the experience. Admittedly, it's a difficult balance to achieve.
Imagine if trucks were equipped with buttons that allowed you to adjust the suspension to your liking. At one end of the rotation was the full comfort setting, while at the other end was the maximum performance. In this imaginary scenario, the latter setting would optimize your truck for the demands of tough terrain, while the former would be best suited for driving on slow, slippery suburban roads.
The smartest thing you can do with such a knob is to turn it to the middle position. It's the same kind of balance you need to consider when adjusting your truck's suspension system.
How can I make my F150 run smoother?
If you're wondering how to keep your truck running smoothly, the most likely answer is a new or improved set of leaf springs. Drivers of Ford models and other trucks turn to General Spring for leaf springs and coil springs that improve ride quality and give vehicles the best suspension for smooth rides on all different types of terrain.
At General Spring, we have components designed to strengthen truck suspension systems. Our specialty are leaf springs and coil springs, which are available in different sizes. Regardless of whether you feel like itadd leaves to your existing feathersor replace the old springs with a new pair, you will find a good match for your truck in our catalog.
The products we sell here at General Spring are all carefully inspected to ensure top quality. No matter the make or model of your truck, we can help you find oneset leaf springsthat fit into place and strengthen the vehicle's suspension system. Even if the parts for your truck are no longer manufactured by the original manufacturer, we can custom make the springs for your vehicle.
At General Spring, all of our springs have a one-year warranty. Whether you want to give your truck's suspension system a boost or simply replace an old or worn out set of leaf springs, your truck is sure to feel like new when equipped with our new or custom springs.Buy from General Springto make your truck's ride even smoother today.
Trucks are equipped with suspension systems to provide comfort to the driver and passenger. Likewise, the suspension keeps a truck in good condition during the bumpy rides and rough terrain of a typical route. If you think about it, trucks – and any other type of vehicle for that matter – experience a rapid stream of vibrations and shocks during a trip.
For example, a dirt road creates endless vibrations that must be absorbed by the underside of your truck. Even if a road is paved, the journey along the way can be full of turns, descents and inclines. The situation is even more hectic when you have to drive up slopes and make sharp turns.
How can you make freight transport easier? The following steps can make a big difference:
- Reduce unsprung mass
- Soften the hanging system
- Replace wheels and tires
- Changed chassis
- Eliminate the vibrations
- Get new leaf springs
With these types of adjustments you also help the truck. Imagine if those bumps in the road caused vibrations across the axles, in the engine and under your seat. Without a suspension system, driving your truck would be uncomfortable. Moreover, the truck would be damaged quite quickly along the bottom.
The improved comfort you get as a driver is just one of the benefits you get from adjusting the suspension system, which can also be good for the vehicle itself and its lifespan.
Reduce unsprung mass
A truck needs its suspension system to function as a strong, safe passenger vehicle. Admittedly, not all trucks roll off the track with optimized suspension systems. Chances are the suspension under your truck could use a lift. The two basic keys to smoother suspension are reducing unsprung weight and softening the suspension.
To reduce the unsprung weight of your truck, you need to reduce the combined mass of the components of the vehicle's underbody. When less weight is placed on tires, wheels, hubcaps and suspension components, the suspension can more easily handle the effects of rough terrain. In principle, the suspension and wheels should be relatively light in relation to the overall weight of the vehicle.
To achieve real comfort, the suspension must be softer. With soft suspension, vibrations and bumps in certain terrain can be easily absorbed. This protects your truck's chassis from the effects of road imperfections, whether you're driving on a dirt road or an older boulevard.
Lower unsprung weight and softer suspension will improve the truck's ride quality and likely extend the life of the underbody components. That said, the chassis will still absorb some of the shock that comes with imperfect terrain, but there are other steps you can take to make the ride even smoother.
Soften the hanging system
The first thing most truck owners do to smooth out the ride is choose a softer suspension. The reasons for this are obvious, as a softer suspension will generally deliver the most immediate changes to the driving experience. If you've ever wondered how to improve the ride quality of a car or truck, the answer is simple: soft suspension.
Softening the suspension generally consists of two steps. To start, replace the existing shock absorbers with a lighter set. These soft absorbers are designed primarily for comfort. Second, the vehicle's springs should be replaced with a softer pair, in other words, lower rated leaf springs.
Shocks designed for comfort rather than performance are common and therefore an easy solution for anyone who wants their ride to be smooth. But if you want to give your truck a smoother ride all around, the best option is to get adjustable shock absorbers. Furthermore, these shock absorbers must have full air suspension.
The best options in the latter category are dual-rated shock absorbers that allow you to individually adjust the truck's firmness and ride height. This way you can adjust the settings to your own comfort level as a driver and you don't have to deal with too high a height to achieve the right firmness, or vice versa.
Depending on the specs of your truck, it can be difficult to find a softer set of direct-change springs, especially if you want to keep the installation within the confines of a normal setup. In this case, your best bet is to simply contact a spring supplier and explain to the representative what exactly you hope to achieve with your truck.
Replace wheels and tires
For large wheels, using low profile tires can be a double-edged sword. Although the tires are generally considered aesthetically pleasing, they have their limitations on trucks. Low profile tires can seriously undermine the comfort of your travels. This is due to the lower aspect ratio of such tires, which are stiffer and have less space for air.
Unlike the fatter tires on older trucks, low profile tires are stronger because of their stiffer sidewalls and thinner proportions. Therefore, low profile tires have less ability to absorb the turbulence of the terrain and are therefore less able to deliver smooth rides.
The large rims that come with such tires can also be problematic for large vehicles. First, large rims can saddle a truck with excess weight, making the lower portion of the vehicle much heavier than desired. Wheels in this high weight category may run less smoothly over turbulent terrain due to their inflated unsprung mass, making them less responsive when a truck drives over gravel and bumps on the sidewalk.
To make driving more comfortable, it is best to choose wheels that are light and narrow. IdealTire dimensions may not exceed 18 inches in diameter and 7 inches in width.
To get the best possible driving experience with thin modern wheels, choose tires that are thin and long, preferably with an aspect ratio of 60+. When you fill the tires,Go three to five psi below the recommended tire pressure. This makes the tires softer and shock-absorbing.
In any case, avoid newer run-flat tires. The stiffness does not make smooth driving of the truck possible. Remember: the right tires and air pressure can help you get the best suspension for a smooth ride.
Modified chassis
In a large and heavy truck, the components that connect your tires together can affect your handling and smoothness, which will in turn affect your overall comfort. If the components are incredibly stiff, there won't be as much flexibility under the vehicle for the suspension to soften the sudden buckling caused by potholes and other deviations along your route.
Changes can be made to the chassis that will help make a lifted truck ready to drive. Lightweight suspension components should be used instead of heavier ones. If available, select brake parts that are lighter than those originally supplied with the vehicle.
Components made from carbon fiber, ceramic and aluminum can help you remove significant amounts of weight from the underside of your truck, which will in turn lead to a smoother ride. Other parts that will reduce weight include carbon fiber axles as these will help you reduce the unsprung mass of the truck.
In general, trucks drive easier with independent suspension. Trucks with solid axles, on the other hand, will give you a stiffer ride due to the extra weight. Admittedly, it is not always possible to convert from heavy axles to a lighter alternative. Therefore, this may not be the most suitable or even realistic option for your specific truck, especially if you are concerned about voiding the warranty on a newer vehicle.
If your truck hits potholes on one side but not the other, a thinner bar will provide a smoother ride and save you from some bumps. However, this can also make the vehicle more difficult to drive, especially if the thin bar is paired with lighter springs and softer shocks.
Eliminate the vibrations
Examine the underside of your truck to see if the vibration damper parts need to be replaced. To protect the chassis from the impact of vibration along a turbulent road, consider the use of new body bushings.
Another way to smooth out vibrating effects is to double stack the rubber ringscoil springs. To prevent the rubber from rattling, grease the rings before putting them in place. If you only want to use one layer of rings, make sure the pre-installed rings are in good condition. If not, replace them with new ones.
Of course, a certain amount of vibration is likely to bypass these buffers. When dealing with this problem, consider the possibility of rubber pucks in the driveshaft. In this way, the vibrations from the gravel and uneven terrain are better isolated and less annoying. Rubber insulators can be mounted in both the drive shaft and the steering column.
Additional options that can make the ride smoother include the use of rubber strips along the floor and seats. Installing these strips between the floorboard and your seat brackets can make your ride feel more shock-absorbing and much less jarring, even when driving on unpaved back roads.
Granted, if you want to have these types of modifications done to your truck, it may be best to let a professional do the job. Installation can sometimes be tricky and the aim is to make the truck more comfortable to drive, but without compromising the safety and stability of the vehicle. After all, the purpose of a truck is to handle rough terrain and tolerate a certain amount of abuse without sacrificing performance.
Do airbags make my truck drive smoother?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions among truck owners. Although airbags can help, the better option for an improved suspension is to purchase new and improved leaf springs. Depending on the size of your truck, you may need to add leaves to your springs to get the necessary lift and smoothness out of your vehicle. If the springs that came with your truck have worn out over time, a new set of springs can easily improve the vehicle's performance.
Another common question about suspension modifications is whether they can make a vehicle less stable. This is an understandable concern given the stiffness of today's trucks. After all, trucks are built to transport heavy loads. For a vehicle to be strong, it must be stiff. But for the vehicle to be comfortable, there needs to be some softness to balance the experience. Admittedly, it's a difficult balance to achieve.
Imagine if trucks were equipped with buttons that allowed you to adjust the suspension to your liking. At one end of the rotation was the full comfort setting, while at the other end was the maximum performance. In this imaginary scenario, the latter setting would optimize your truck for the demands of tough terrain, while the former would be best suited for driving on slow, slippery suburban roads.
The smartest thing you can do with such a knob is to turn it to the middle position. It's the same kind of balance you need to consider when adjusting your truck's suspension system.
How can I make my F150 run smoother?
If you're wondering how to keep your truck running smoothly, the most likely answer is a new or improved set of leaf springs. Drivers of Ford models and other trucks turn to General Spring for leaf springs and coil springs that improve ride quality and give vehicles the best suspension for smooth rides on all different types of terrain.
At General Spring, we have components designed to strengthen truck suspension systems. Our specialty are leaf springs and coil springs, which are available in different sizes. Regardless of whether you feel like itadd leaves to your existing feathersor replace the old springs with a new pair, you will find a good match for your truck in our catalog.
The products we sell here at General Spring are all carefully inspected to ensure top quality. No matter the make or model of your truck, we can help you find oneset leaf springsthat fit into place and strengthen the vehicle's suspension system. Even if the parts for your truck are no longer manufactured by the original manufacturer, we can custom make the springs for your vehicle.
At General Spring, all of our springs have a one-year warranty. Whether you want to give your truck's suspension system a boost or simply replace an old or worn out set of leaf springs, your truck is sure to feel like new when equipped with our new or custom springs.Buy from General Springto make your truck's ride even smoother today.
