96 1500. Ride quality

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DetroitWelder

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I have had A 97 3/4ton 8lug as my main transportation for almost 25yrs. Finally I picked up A 96 1500 crew cab Centurion. I thought this 1/2 ton was going to ride like A dream compared to my 3/4ton on 35's. It really rides harsh and doesnt feel like Ive always imagined.. To be fair my 3/4ton is fully rebuilt suspension. Can I expect my 1/2ton to be a smoother ride once I rebuild the suspension or does this crew cab 1/2ton just rides like A beast. Thanks
 

delta_p

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I have a '96 C1500 scsb that I've had since '96. I replaced the entire suspension and steering except for the control arms over the last 2 yrs, and poly cab mounts. It rode like a beast before, and a little bit better after that but the beast is still in it. It seems to fight back against bumps a little better now with brute force, whereas it wanted to fall apart before.
 

DetroitWelder

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I have a '96 C1500 scsb that I've had since '96. I replaced the entire suspension and steering except for the control arms over the last 2 yrs, and poly cab mounts. It rode like a beast before, and a little bit better after that but the beast is still in it. It seems to fight back against bumps a little better now with brute force, whereas it wanted to fall apart before.
 

DetroitWelder

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Ok. Thats a good description. I just always thought 1/2tons rode alot better that my 3/4. I love the truck and im going to rebuild the suspension but wanted A realistic expectation of my end result.
 

shorepatrol

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To me, my K1500 rides great with the lift and 5100's. Although it did ride better before the lift, better than my 4runner. To me
 

df2x4

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I know this is kind of an apples to oranges comparison as I'm talking GMT400 vs GMT800... But in my experience heavier frame trucks generally ride much better than their half ton little brothers.

My dad has owned a bunch of brand new GM trucks over the years (including both of my '97s at one point), most of them half ton 1500s. When he got his 2006 the dealer convinced him to order a 3500, mainly because he could get it cheaper than a 1500 with the same options. He still owns that 2006 3500, and it rides better than any of his old trucks. Something about the heavier frame really tames down bumps in the road.
 

dirtautoguy

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I have a 96 K1500 regular cab short bed. And it rides almost like a car.

Now that being said it has 4 fairly new kyb shocks, and 31x10.50x15 tires that I think absorb a lot of the roughness.

My dad has a 97 k2500 454 regular cab long bed with 265/75/16 on and it rides like a tank compared to mine.

I think there are a few variables to consider there, tires, leaf springs, shocks etc....
 
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