Stock Ride Quality??

[Amateurhour]

Deaver R81 Springs & Hardware

The Deaver Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 R81 springs are a 12 leaf progressive rate pack designed for the Chevy / GMC 1500 2WD / 4WD vehicles. The leaf springs bolt right into the factory location. This is Deaver's highest performance leaf over spring pack.

dirtking.com

These will help reduce the kick from the rear of the truck going over bumps. Payload capacity will be reduced so plan on airbags with cradles if you’re going to tow. Good shocks will also help. It’s kind of expensive to make a truck ride like a car…

 

[RET-G]

Ok, New to the forum thinking about purchasing a 2025 TB. I test drove the ZR2 but not the Z71 TB yet. I was just wondering what the ride quality is on the highway. Thx

In my humble opinon; great! Traveled between ID and PV AZ a few times; both times the trip down was via Moab UT and back up via Kanab UT. Either two-lane hwy or Interstate the ride has been great. Handling is firm, seats are ok, and no complaints from the passenger.

 

[Stormin08]

I have a new trail boss (2025) with stock suspension and stock 20” wheels. The ride really stinks (rough) on concrete highways. Depending on the stretch of freeway, I often am bouncing up and down in my seat as I traverse over the concrete highway at 75 MPH. Both my wife and daughter have commented about the highway ride.

I am looking to smooth out these small harsh bounces and I’m considering adjustable 2.5 shocks (Kings or Fox). I don’t have a problem with the price. Would these help smooth out (soften) the highway ride? Stormin08, you seem to have favorable experiences with better highway ride?

i agree with Jmzvet....the rear is the biggest issue. when i did my swap, i did the rear shocks first just to really see how much of a difference there was going to be....and it was drastically different.

that said, any LARGE (2.5 or bigger) shock will ride better, then adjust some adjustability and just keeps getting better.

i would recommend taking a look at Dirtking or Accutune as well....with those being a vendor who deals with the Bog Names, they know the internals better than anyone...they both offer their own brand of shock, that has the best of all options. Piston design, orifice size, shape and contour, shim stacks....all of the above is a compilation of the best internals rolled into one shock. the Deaver mini pak is an option, but i have no experience yet with those on these trucks

 

[klarson]

i agree with Jmzvet....the rear is the biggest issue. when i did my swap, i did the rear shocks first just to really see how much of a difference there was going to be....and it was drastically different.

that said, any LARGE (2.5 or bigger) shock will ride better, then adjust some adjustability and just keeps getting better.

i would recommend taking a look at Dirtking or Accutune as well....with those being a vendor who deals with the Bog Names, they know the internals better than anyone...they both offer their own brand of shock, that has the best of all options. Piston design, orifice size, shape and contour, shim stacks....all of the above is a compilation of the best internals rolled into one shock. the Deaver mini pak is an option, but i have no experience yet with those on these trucks

Thank you for the tips. The Accutune website is just what I was looking for.

 

[The Raven]

I have a new trail boss (2025) with stock suspension and stock 20” wheels. The ride really stinks (rough) on concrete highways. Depending on the stretch of freeway, I often am bouncing up and down in my seat as I traverse over the concrete highway at 75 MPH. Both my wife and daughter have commented about the highway ride.

I am looking to smooth out these small harsh bounces and I’m considering adjustable 2.5 shocks (Kings or Fox). I don’t have a problem with the price. Would these help smooth out (soften) the highway ride? Stormin08, you seem to have favorable experiences with better highway ride?

You aren't going to get a smoother ride from those shocks. There's a big difference between "better" and "smoother". What the better off-road shocks get you is control - the shock can return the wheel from compression much faster than a lesser shock, and in a more controlled fashion. That's a good thing but it's not going to make the ride "smoother". Ranchos aren't stiff shocks to begin with but they are stiffer than non-off-road shocks. Something like a Bilstein 4600 would give you a "smoother" ride. Also switching to 18" or even 17" wheels would help in that area too.

Don't get me wrong - you may still like the change to a beefier off-road shock. I remember when I put Rubicon shocks on my Sport JL - it was definitely not smoother, but I liked it a lot better because handling was "crisper" for lack of a better term. It made the Jeep feel like a more precise instrument.

 

[Stormin08]

the King shocks WILL OFFER smoother (softer ride), that is what they are know for....actually the term should more PLUSH


i can dial mine way back and literally feel like FLOATING down the road (very soft, plush feeling)...but to some that can seem unsettled as everything on the road causes a motion....with a quick turn, i can fix that, yet still not have the tighter (stiffer, noticeable) feed back of the road.

watch closely, how both react....even though they are running different brands....you can easily see how much travel, and the type of reaction each has to the movement....slow down some of the vid, and WATCH

Not trying to sell a brand or source....just using good video to help explain SHOCKS, VALVING, and their reaction

 

[The Raven]

the King shocks WILL OFFER smoother (softer ride), that is what they are know for....actually the term should more PLUSH

It seems you and I have a very different definition of "smoother" and "plush". "Plush" is a Bilstein 4600 or a stock DeCarbon (when it's new). I've never driven a king-equipped vehicle that I would call "plush". "Stable", "precise", "unflappable"...yes. But not "plush".

 

[Stormin08]

thats why i comment as such....Kings are said to be the softest (most think PLUSH)...but i can say this, will both of my adjusters wise open, my TB rides exactly like my 70 Buick did...you can literally feel it float and sway as you drive. Even 1 click on the LOW SPEED adjuster is noticeable.

there is a point, where you can over stiffen the low speed and start a hoping effect, but with both zero'd out, or both about half way....it has a very complimentary ride (super soft, or really firm). start dialing each adjuster in to your liking, and you can quickly tell which adjuster and how much you need.

 

[mikedahammer_5]

I have a new trail boss (2025) with stock suspension and stock 20” wheels. The ride really stinks (rough) on concrete highways. Depending on the stretch of freeway, I often am bouncing up and down in my seat as I traverse over the concrete highway at 75 MPH. Both my wife and daughter have commented about the highway ride.

I am looking to smooth out these small harsh bounces and I’m considering adjustable 2.5 shocks (Kings or Fox). I don’t have a problem with the price. Would these help smooth out (soften) the highway ride? Stormin08, you seem to have favorable experiences with better highway ride?

I just purchased a 2025 LTZ and I have the same complaints you have/had. The truck is crazy stiff. I came from a 2017 Raptor and needed a more stout towing vehicle and no 1/2 ton truck fit the payload capacity. I tried reducing my tire pressures, which does help, but it is still very wonky and stiff. What did you end up doing with yours, if anything, did it help, and what did it set you back. My wife hates riding in it when it hits uneven payment at 70+ Mph. I also think going down interstate 95 in VA at 80 mph I actually came out of the seat when I hit a dip in the road.

The thing is a tank to me but I do like the way it tows and everything else about it. When the pavement is great - zero complaints, however when the road is beat up it can be brutal and jarring. Also when it is unweighted and you have to creep over a bump, like a lowered car, the truck wobbles like a canoe in the ocean to me.

 

[TexasSAR]

I have a new trail boss (2025) with stock suspension and stock 20” wheels. The ride really stinks (rough) on concrete highways. Depending on the stretch of freeway, I often am bouncing up and down in my seat as I traverse over the concrete highway at 75 MPH. Both my wife and daughter have commented about the highway ride.

I am looking to smooth out these small harsh bounces and I’m considering adjustable 2.5 shocks (Kings or Fox). I don’t have a problem with the price. Would these help smooth out (soften) the highway ride? Stormin08, you seem to have favorable experiences with better highway ride?

I did the 2.5 kings.

Made a huge difference.

 

[mikedahammer_5]

2.5 kings

Did it raise the truck up any? I am just looking for something to help the ride quality. I have a bunch of roads that are bumpy/uneven in my area. Do you have a link? I checked out the site for King's and there is a ton of options/packages.

 

[Jmzvet]

1/2 ton trucks are a compromise between ride quality and load/tow capacity.
If you don’t tow/haul anything, look into some softer rear leaf springs like Deaver makes.

 

[TexasSAR]

Did it raise the truck up any? I am just looking for something to help the ride quality. I have a bunch of roads that are bumpy/uneven in my area. Do you have a link? I checked out the site for King's and there is a ton of options/packages.

Did it raise the truck up any? I am just looking for something to help the ride quality. I have a bunch of roads that are bumpy/uneven in my area. Do you have a link? I checked out the site for King's and there is a ton of options/packages.

I already had a ReadyLift 1.75 front level kit so it remained same height but you don’t have to do that if you don’t want to.

Kings website and use the selection tool. OEM performance.

OEM Performance - CHEVROLET/GMC

OEM Performance - CHEVROLET/GMC

kingshocks.com

Make sure these are correct for your vehicle.

 

[Stormin08]

2.5 Fox Elites on the black
2.0 Fox on the white

The white is owned by a 62 yr old, never having anything aftermarket....he complained daily how horrible the Ranchos rode

I did a 2.0 on that truck...he and I were amazed how well it rides, comfort, controll and predictable

Mine on the 2.5, CAN be way more plush, softer and smooth....

They both run a 550lb eibach spring