New to MDTs, how do I smooth up the ride.

[Rick from Paso]

I just purchased a 1996 FL70, Cummins 8.3C, 9 speed Eaton/Fuller 8709, 225" WB, 21K rockwell 3.58 rear, factory air rear, 12K front spring suspension, air ride cab, air ride seats. It still rides like a truck! My dual 75 gal fuel tanks get in the way of a Mor/Ryde, and Brock's add a ride. It has a 72" AA sleeper, 11' gooseneck flatbed. It rides okay on the highway, rough on these country roads out here. I am thinking to start with monroe gas magnum shocks and look at replacing the front springs with some lighter springs. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.

 

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

....air down tires some....drop a leaf or two out of the spring pack....get new springs...air bags-but requires moving tanks as you said....shocks....dampen seat/cab somemore....increase weight or rear- rearange weight[fuel tanks] add more weight to tail board it lift front end some....go to your local truck spring for some advice and talk it the oldest guy there-perferably the spring bender himself....{course-what do you expect on rough roads in a truck-are your expectations unreasonable?-a couch it will never be-but you can make some drastic differances with the right spring shop-speaking form experience....geof

 

[Rick from Paso]

Hey Geof! I took your advice and contacted Thum Ins, and got my white elephant insured. Do you know of a spring company I could contact? Thanks for your help.

 

[Warpath-TC]

Rick I bobtailed my FLD 120 for a few months before we turned it into a Motorhome. It had a single rear axle 48" sleeper and steel wheels. I was freaking out when I started the project because that truck road terrible and was worried that when we turned it into a MH it would stay that bad. (Needless to say when you throw 15,000 lbs plus on the chassis, it rides like a Cadillac)

So the first thing I did was to air the tires down and that helped alot (you may have already done that) I next added Broc's air ride and that was a big disappointment at the start. I ran the level adjusters down so the bags where not fully inflated and that helped a bit. (The Broc's bags really came into their own after we put the motorhome box on) Shocks will help a little, but not very much. The single biggest upgrade in ride came when I went to Alcoa aluminum rims. They run about $280 a piece, but the weight difference is huge and really helps keep those tires on the ground and not bouncing you to death. If you have steel wheels and plan to change them out be sure to have your wheel studs changed out to fit the much thicker aluminum rims. (made that mistake)

Good luck

Bill

 

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

....Rick form Paso:....If you were in Ohio I say call John's Spring Service in Fairfield 1-513-860-1200 and ask for Tony or Rich they know trucks and if they have the time they will make many of same suggestions I have passed along to you....they could make some that are more relevant to your specific truck-as old John has bought a Freightliner hauler....they pretty well know what has to the done.....geof-near Cincinnati