View Full Version : Hey all Chevy truck owners!
I drive a 2000 Silverado 1500, RWD, Ext. Cab, shortbed, and it rides like ass. I've tried replacing damn near everything in the whole suspension, still feels like dribbling basketballs on any road that isn't smooth as glass.
Had it in Bozarth's the other day for a different issue, talked to the mechanic about the ride problem. He advised I stop throwing money at it, that this piss-poor ride is a known problem inherent in all GM pickups of my body style and the body style after that. Said the only truck that rides decent is the 4-door Crew Cab with the shortbed, all the others suck, that one sucks the least.
My question is - has everybody else with GM trucks of this vintage also experienced shitty, rough, vibrating ride? Has anyone found any solutions?
The only parts I haven't replaced are the lower control arm bushings and the bushings in the rear leaf springs. Mechanic said yet another set of new shocks may help a little. That was the first thing I did, put on new KYB GasAdjust shocks, but they've got 75k+ miles on them now.
Weight is your friend. Put as much as you can get over the back axle. Tires might make a difference too. Try to stay away from the higher load ratings if you don't need them.
I have an '05 2500 crew cab short bed so I'm no help. :P
Great-Kazoo
05-26-2016, 14:23
I ran monromatic Gas Magnums. Also dropped an air bag (air lift) for rear suspension / carrying loads in truck bed. 140K when we sold it. Outside the shitty roads in CO / 25 & 70 . OTR was not an issue with ride. With or W/Out anything in back. Even hauled a slide in for 6 months.
I drove an 01 extended cab, long bed, 3/4 ton for a while. Rode quite nicely. Of course it weighed a little over 4,000 pounds on the rear axle and about the same on the front axle. I think the even weight distribution helped make for a smooth ride.
Fuckin' thing makes me wanna scream.....
newracer
05-26-2016, 14:54
I have an '05 2500 crew cab short bed so I'm no help. :P
Same here and mine is a diesel. It's a little rough since it is 3/4 ton. With a little weight it is great.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I had an '01 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4, crew cab short bed and still have an '03 Tahoe. Bilsteins on both and couldn't be happier, love the Tahoe and without a truck no one asks me to help them move! :D
BushMasterBoy
05-26-2016, 15:01
We got a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 extended cab. Running fairly new KYB shocks from rockauto and load range E Falken Rocky Mountain tires at 65 psi. Runs really smooth. My 07 2500HD Silverado completely sucks on I25 once I get to Castle Pines. It feels like the the truck will break apart at any speed over 65 mph. I think it is the rain grooves. Everywhere else is it is good. Methinks your problem might be the tires and/or shocks.
BushMaster, my truck does the same on those concrete slabs in that area. Its annoying!
Semi true. I used to work for Bozo. Anyway, the best riding truck you will ever find is a Chevy Avalanche in the 02' - 03' model year with the Z71 package. You can also find them pretty cheap with higher mileage (mine is near 200k and still running perfect). Their turning radius is also friggen fantastic.
BPTactical
05-26-2016, 15:36
"Chevrolet"
I found your problem.....[Coffee]
KISS... have you checked the balance of your tires?... this was an issue for me recently. (Car, not truck, but I'd assume they are relevant)
"Chevrolet"
I found your problem.....[Coffee]
This, My crappy Dodge rides great.
[beatdeadhorse]
It's done this for 9 years, through three different sets of tires and multiple balancings.
In the winter I had 650lbs of lead bars in the bed for traction weight. That helped, but didn't cure it, but the extra braking effort and loss of gas mileage sucked.
Seriously thinking about Bilstein shocks.
"Chevrolet"
I found your problem.....[Coffee]
Nothin' but love Bert, nothin' but love! Although my next truck just might be a Fine Old Rebuilt Dodge.....
Great-Kazoo
05-26-2016, 17:27
It's done this for 9 years, through three different sets of tires and multiple balancings.
.
Drive shaft, pull it have it checked for out of balance, OR bent. We had a vibration issue with the 02 1500 pulled the shaft, not only out of balance, but bent.
I've had chevy trucks from 98 and newer and never had an issue like that. My first thought was tires, but driveshaft could be it, shocks, worn out leaf springs
was it in an accident? Or something bent from overloading it?
I am not a fan of the post '87 Chevy's, but ride quality is not a problem I would use to describe them. What this guy said sounds like BS to me. Have you inspected your springs and bushings as well as done the shocks with all the parts you replaced? All trucks will bounce, some worse then others, on uneven roads with the bed empty; if you have issues with the springs and/or shocks, it will make it worse. I would definitely check to see if you have issues with the bushings. Also, body mounts and slop can create problems along with the driveshaft. A lot of miles...something is worn.
Grant H.
05-26-2016, 19:12
The ride sucks compared to what? A Caddy sedan?
It's a truck, and a 1500 at that...
My Dodge 2500 diesel rides like a truck. I expect it to.
My Chevy 3500 Dually rides like there is no suspension without weight.
Not to be a jerk here, but a bunch of you guys sound like you want a truck that rides like a luxury sedan...
encorehunter
05-26-2016, 19:26
My 04.5 Duramax extended cab shortened rides pretty nice with a few thousand pound in the bed. Empty it can be a bit rough, but as was said, it is a truck. I towed my neighbors minivan to Denver on a 24' flatbed, and he claimed my truck was a smoother ride than his minivan. It has 10 ply tires and Rancho rs5000 shocks. I just put a new set of Cooper ATWs and the sidewall is much softer than the Toyo AT2s they replaced.
I'll inject some more useless information here. It won't help with your Chevy though.
My 2010 Dodge 1/2 ton crew cab is by far the the best riding pick up I've ever driven. If you do decide to go to a different truck you should at least take one for a spin. I'm not even a Dodge guy but this truck might convert me.
Also, here's a list of some of the trucks I've been driving over the last few years. None of them even come close to the ride of my Dodge.
1993 GMC 2500, extended cab, short bed
2000 Ford F-250, extended cab, long bed
2001 Chevrolet 2500, extended cab, long bed
2007 Chevrolet 2500, extended cab, long bed
2014 Ford F-150, extended cab, short bed
Huh. That's funny. After typing my list I realized just about all of those trucks have been 3/4 tons. Not a fair comparison to the 1/2 ton Dodge I own I suppose. But the F-150 I am currently driving rides about as bad as all of the 3/4 tons I was driving.
Oh, and the best way to make your truck ride better instantly without throwing any parts at it is to leave Colorado. Head any direction, it doesn't matter. Colorado has some of the absolute worst roads. It pisses me off to know end that we pay such high vehicle registration fees and that we have a state income tax and they can't seem to keep the roads in good repair. Somehow other states with lower registration fees and no state income tax can manage to keep their roads in pretty good shape but Colorado is just too stupid to figure it out.
Great-Kazoo
05-26-2016, 20:16
The ride sucks compared to what? A Caddy sedan?
It's a truck, and a 1500 at that...
Not to be a jerk here, but a bunch of you guys sound like you want a truck that rides like a luxury sedan...
That's why chevy made the Avalanche. It's for people whose wives will not let them drive a truck.
I don't think it's the driveshaft, it's not a constant vibration. It varies with the road surfaces, and it feels like the wheels are bouncing up and down, like dribbling basketballs low and fast.
I understand about trucks riding like trucks. This isn't a stiff ride, it's shaky. It's also a 2wd 1/2 ton, not a 4wd 3/4 ton that's lifted and has off road tires, so it should ride smoother, like a sedan.
I've replaced -
Shocks (due for new though, next purchase)
Front hubs
Rack and pinion
Inner & outer tie rods, w/alignment
Upper control arms & ball joints
Lower ball joints
Front coil springs (what a bitch! Never again)
Lower steering shaft
Torsion bar links
New tires this winter
It does OK on smooth asphalt, but on slightly rough roads it's awful. There's a stretch on 86 just before I turn off to go to BLGC that I just dread driving on.
I'm mainly wondering if guys here with similar trucks have similar problems.
It does OK on smooth asphalt, but on slightly rough roads it's awful. There's a stretch on 86 just before I turn off to go to BLGC that I just dread driving on.
That is on MF rough piece of road. Before I upgraded the steering on my RAM, I was getting a little occasional death wobble out there.
Have someone drive the truck and you follow it in another car. Look at all 4 corners and see which one if any is taking off. Report back.
SouthPaw
05-26-2016, 22:11
Trade it for a Tacoma.
Great-Kazoo
05-26-2016, 22:15
I don't think it's the driveshaft, it's not a constant vibration. It varies with the road surfaces, and it feels like the wheels are bouncing up and down, like dribbling basketballs low and fast.
I understand about trucks riding like trucks. This isn't a stiff ride, it's shaky. It's also a 2wd 1/2 ton, not a 4wd 3/4 ton that's lifted and has off road tires, so it should ride smoother, like a sedan.
I'm mainly wondering if guys here with similar trucks have similar problems.
Mine was an 02 -1500 RWD. Same thing you're describing, till i did the drive shaft. Next question, what tires and psi you running at? 34 - 36 max.
Does it do it under load also?
Your mechanics advise is bs.
take it to lakewood alignment and explain the problem to them. If they can't find it pull your drive shafts and have them balanced.
Michelin LTX M/S 2 tires made a world of difference on my Tahoe.
Sent from my Galaxy S7 Edge using Tapatalk.
I don't think it's the driveshaft, it's not a constant vibration. It varies with the road surfaces, and it feels like the wheels are bouncing up and down, like dribbling basketballs low and fast.
Is it bouncing in the front, back, or both?
SideShow Bob
05-27-2016, 09:46
I had a '94 Sierra standard cab short bed 1500 4X4 that road great for Pickup,
Then upgraded to a new '06 Sierra extended cab 4X4 1500 short bed. It gets the problem you are describing only on white top paving (concrete),I think it is a combination of the wheelbase, spacing of the expansion gaps & speed that cause the feeling of wheel hop. On black top or rough pavement there is no problems.
sportbikeco
05-27-2016, 09:51
Lower tire pressure, the sticker pressure is for max load.
SouthPaw
05-27-2016, 10:38
If it is bouncing up and down, that is usually shocks. Depending on how long and severe it has been going on, it may have caused flat spots in the tires. I am on my third Silverado 1500 ('05, 08, and now '15). The '05 road a little rougher probably due to the torsion bar suspension. When they switched to coils on the '08+ it was a major improvement. What load range are your tires? If you don't haul heavy loads and don't tow; I would be looking at some P series tires.
Is it bouncing in the front, back, or both?
Both.
i find that having a 1 ton truck with nothing on the bed and the tires inflated to 80psi rides really nice on washboard dirt roads at 70MPH or higher.
FIFY
I've got an 01 extended cab and don't have any complaints.
I have an 2001 1500, ext cab, RWD and the ride is great. You are welcome to take it for a spin if you want to compare.
What tires you have on there now?
Holger Danske
05-27-2016, 16:59
Take a pry bar to everything with a bushing and check for excessive movement. Perished bushings can make a truck ride horribly.
I have an 2001 1500, ext cab, RWD and the ride is great. You are welcome to take it for a spin if you want to compare.
What tires you have on there now?
Hankooks. I really think it's the shocks, but at 177k miles the rear spring bushings are mighty suspect to me as well. Currently researching best places to get Bilsteins.
Jeffrey Lebowski
05-27-2016, 18:45
Trade it for a Tacoma.
I was thinking we were overdue for a Tacomas-are-awesome post. I agree.
Got nothing on the chevy though. My 1 ton and 3/4 ton CTDs drove like, well, 1 ton and 3/4 ton CTDs.
hurley842002
05-27-2016, 18:48
I was thinking we were overdue for a Tacomas-are-awesome post. I agree.
Crossfit games going on by chance?...
Jeffrey Lebowski
05-27-2016, 18:51
Crossfit games going on by chance?...
I have no idea what that is.
hurley842002
05-27-2016, 18:52
I have no idea what that is.
It's okay, plenty of folks will understand.
Hankooks. I really think it's the shocks, but at 177k miles the rear spring bushings are mighty suspect to me as well. Currently researching best places to get Bilsteins.
eshocks.com had the best price last time I looked around.
Trade it for a Tacoma.
/thread
Crossfit games going on by chance?...
Is that another one of those hilarious jokes you're known for smart guy?
eshocks.com had the best price last time I looked around.
Thanks! Website seems to be jacked up ATM.....
BPTactical
05-28-2016, 11:57
Funny thing- I have a '13 F250 and well, it rides like a truck.
I get in my kids Focus and well, it rides like a car.
I think I'm on to something......
BushMasterBoy
05-28-2016, 13:18
I'd get some shocks from rockauto.com
I put Bilstien's on my 2008 F250 and it rides like a truck. I took it to Chinle, AZ and back a couple months ago and while it will never pass for a luxury touring automobile, I never worried about having space or whether it would get me where I wanted to go.
Hankooks.
The brand of the worst tires I've ever owned. Loud and harsh riding.
The brand of the worst tires I've ever owned. Loud and harsh riding.
Which ones? I'm sure they make several different tires for trucks.
Funny thing- I have a '13 F250 and well, it rides like a truck.
I get in my kids Focus and well, it rides like a car.
I think I'm on to something......
Agreed.
As I get older I start understanding why old people like Cadillacs and Lincolns. I find bumps more jarring every year. My F450 work truck was quite easy to live with 10 years ago. Now I find it jarring on anything but a smooth road. That is why i bought my Dodge. It is the smoothest truck I've ever ridden in. If you really want to keep the truck and have some money to burn you can improve it a bunch. First get the Bilsteins, next the tires. You can get extra load car tires for your truck. They were popular for conversion vans. They ride quite a bit softer. As already mentioned air helper springs are a nice help to old springs. Sagged springs ride poorly. If you opt to replace the springs you should be able to find light duty or "soft" springs. Or just buy a large old people car, that's what I want.
ThunderSquirrel
05-30-2016, 08:35
Trucks ride like trucks.
I'll let you take the humvee around the block. You'll think yours rides like a caddy after.
blacklabel
05-30-2016, 10:44
The brand of the worst tires I've ever owned. Loud and harsh riding.
My Dynapro ATMs lasted 55k miles, were reasonably quiet and did great off road. I replaced them with a second set without a second thought.
Get some Wrangler MT/Rs if you want to see loud and harsh.
Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk
I'll second the hate for the Dynacomps. Worst tires I've ever run. Pulled them off choppy and cupped with about 25K miles on them and won't ever buy another set.
Chopping and cupping are directly related to balance, and shock absorber issues. Aggressive tires need rotated more often also. It wasn't the tire's fault.
Chopping and cupping are directly related to balance, alignment, steering geometry, and shock absorber issues. Aggressive tires need rotated more often also. It wasn't the tire's fault.
FIFY.
Not defending the tires, just an observation.
Absolutely right. The discussion of tires and shocks seemed to be the prevailing subject. Alignment, and steering geometry also play a role. Thanks for adding those.
Chopping and cupping are directly related to balance, and shock absorber issues. Aggressive tires need rotated more often also. It wasn't the tire's fault.
I understand and agree. Trust me. The set before the Hancooks went 80,000 miles and probably could have gone a little further if it wasn't for winter approaching. (Michelin LTXM/S)
The set after the Hancooks were still wearing nicely at 50,000 miles when I moved out of the truck. (Some sort of Toyo tire)
The Hancooks started wearing funky after about 16,000 miles and I wasn't rotating them any less frequently than the others. And the shocks were original from the original tires, through the Michelins, the Hancooks, and the Toyos.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.