Chevy Stiffer Suspension

Hello…I have a 04 Chevy Silverado 1500 4×4 ext cab. What could I do to stiffen the rear suspension so It won’t sag so much when I pull my boat or hauling a heavy load ?
Any suggestions ?
Thanks
Mike

Air shocks heavier shock spring rubbers

If you don’t have the Z71 package, you could essential add the suspension portion of it. Also make sure that your tongue weight is correct on your trailer.

FDR

I put air shocks on my old Yukon for that reason, worked pretty good, fill ’em when you need them, bleed them when you don’t. They make air bladders too that go on the leaf or coil springs, even a stiffer regular shock would help too. Too often the OEM shocks are more for ride comfort and not utility.

I had the same problem with my 1996 F-150. I ended up replacing the rear leaf springs and going to a 3/4 ton spring. They fit in the same brackets and do the job nicely. I don’t drive my truck unloaded very much so the ride quality hasn’t been affected. Otherwise you could install a “helper” spring that is installed and is only used when the truck sags enough to use it.
Next solution is to install airbags.

I prefered the extra heavy leaf springs so I didn’t have to worry about airing up or down. Kraemer Spring in Inver Grove Heights was more than helpful with this.

Good luck

Mike, just another thing to check.. make sure your boat is set up on the trailer correctly… unless you are pulling a boat over 2,500 lbs a chevy 4X4 should suffice. If the boat is forward on the trailer a tad too much it will put too much tongue weight on the truck.
If that Chev does not have a tow pkg you wil have to go to one of the above suspension upgrades.

I went with firestone air bags in my 3/4 ton to stiffen up the rear end. ended going with the 5000lb rated bags and the air lift controllers you get a gauge and compressor that way you can adjust the ride of your truck from in the cab when you need it lighter of stiffer.

I had this problem with my 97 f150. I bought a set of helper springs. The mount right to the exsisting springs with new u-bolts. Made a world of difference. I can now pull my 23ft camper without the truck squatting much at all. I wanna say they ran about $100.00. Do a search on Hellwig helper springs. Bought mine through Suspension Connection. Hope this helps.

Nut

1st make sure tongue weight is right and then get COIL OVER SHOCKS

On an Explorer I did the same as wiswalleyenut and added some additional springs to the rear. My mechanics added them when I had my ball joints replaced and did it for free since the truck was already on the hoist. The springs themselves were about $80.

When towing something heavy the back end doesn’t sag anymore and the ride is great. When there isn’t a load on the back the ride is a bit more rough but tolerable. I’d do it again in a heartbeat but if I had a newer vehicle I’d go with the air shocks which would allow for a nicer ride… just at a higher cost.

Chris

Thanks to all for your suggestions. A couple of you mentioned tongue weight. I figer my Alumacraft mag and e-tech and misc stuff weight about 1200lb. So some where around 10% of that for tongue weight ? Is that ok ?

I had simialr issue with my worn out springs on my 98 k1500. I put in Timbren SES – google it and you will find their site. Cost is about $180 and you can do it yourself in about an hour – take off old bumper stops, put in the SES. Pretty easy. Cool thing is that it just sits there as normal until you add weight, then the rubber kinda takes over. My prob is that my springs are so worm out and weak that my bed is always sitting on the SES even when empty. So I guess I should get new springs… Doing it again, I might do the air bags right from the start, but at double and then some the pricing, you gotta plan for it

Good luck.

Just a update if anyone cares
I didn’t check my hitch weight but I will assume it’s ok beings it was setup at my trust worthy dealer. I did go with the Monroe Load Leveler coil over shocks. I like them so far. It raised the back about 1″ and stiffed things up nice. It pulls my boat good and the ride is not to bad at all.
Thanks
Mike