A smoother ride 54 dodge truck

[tattooman43]

I'm looking something smoother ride anyone have any suggestions...here is what I got..

54 dodge pickup 

leaf springs all the way around

I flipped rear axle and flipped front axle..no bump steer

all new monroe shocks all the way around

rides like a horse and buggy 

any way to make this ride better 

[pflaming]

Put the axles where the engineers put them. I removed one leaf from each of all four racks, rides fine, but it is still an old truck.

[tattooman43]

1 hour ago, pflaming said:

Put the axles where the engineers put them. I removed one leaf from each of all four racks, rides fine, but it is still an old truck.

I never moved the spot just flipped to lower the truck

[59bisquik]

I pulled one leaf from each pack to smooth out the ride. It will also give a bit more drop. I normally pull the second one from the bottom. It will help, but is still a solid axle truck.

 How exactly did you flip the front axle?

Edited May 24, 2017 by 59bisquik

[ggdad1951]

25 minutes ago, 59bisquik said:

I pulled one leaf from each pack to smooth out the ride. It will also give a bit more drop. I normally pull the second one from the bottom. It will help, but is still a solid axle truck.

 How exactly did you flip the front axle?

put the axle on top of the springs is my guess.

[tattooman43]

1 hour ago, ggdad1951 said:

put the axle on top of the springs is my guess.

Yep I welded a plate on the top lileft this

[59bisquik]

Interesting... any interference with the u bolts and the frame? 

As for the ride, you can lose one leaf up front. The second one from the bottom will help but you will also go down another half inch or so also. Out back, you can take out the second from the bottom also. If you want a little more, then take the fourth. It's best to take every other instead of leafs right next to each other.

However, remember it's still a solid axle truck. It can be better, but will never ride like a passenger car.

[Merle Coggins]

How close is the front axle to the oil pan? If you remove a leaf to soften it up you would loose more clearance. 

Have you checked he spring shackles? If they are dry, or have old caked grease, hey may not be moving freely causing a more harsh ride

[55 Fargo]

I would also look at the "scrub Line" on your flipped set-up.

If you want a modern ride, then clip it, bag it, or buy a modern vehicle.

These old trucks ride okay, but are still trucks, much like older CJs.

What Flaming has done will give you a lower stance and softer ride, but as far as changing how an I beam front axle handles and steers, it aint like IFS no way, no how, Man.............

[59bisquik]

Ok... so let's see a pic of how low she sits with your mods!

[tattooman43]

[Frank's 49]

Good looking truck.  I like the stance.    I did the leaf removal thing, and added teflon liners between the springs.  Still rides like a buggy.  I still wonder if new springs would make a difference.  But I think the answer is either major mods, like air bags, or swapping a late model  suspension, or just drive slow and slow down for bumps!  

[59bisquik]

5 minutes ago, Frank's 49 said:

I still wonder if new springs would make a difference.

Nope... Mine has new springs all around. With 1 spring from each pack removed, she rides better, but still like a truck.

Looks great! Now you just need a set of the spider caps to finish off the look!

Edited May 25, 2017 by 59bisquik

[ggdad1951]

6 minutes ago, Frank's 49 said:

Good looking truck.  I like the stance.    I did the leaf removal thing, and added teflon liners between the springs.  Still rides like a buggy.  I still wonder if new springs would make a difference.  But I think the answer is either major mods, like air bags, or swapping a late model  suspension, or just drive slow and slow down for bumps!  

it's still a vehicle running on leaf springs...part and parcel of how that works.

[59bisquik]

My only suggestion would be some wheel spacers, so you filled out those rear wheel wells a bit more. I chose different offset when I got mine and had to roll the fender lips for clearance. Gave it a wide/low stance.

[The Oil Soup]

Definitely sits lower!

[tattooman43]

2 hours ago, 59bisquik said:

My only suggestion would be some wheel spacers, so you filled out those rear wheel wells a bit more. I chose different offset when I got mine and had to roll the fender lips for clearance. Gave it a wide/low stance.

I got some 2inch ones will be here Saturday lol