Truck rides like a brick.

[SNOMAN]

I have a 97 K2500 ECSB with 454. This is a HD with the 9600 GVWR I believe. I just replaced the shocks with some KYBs gas-adjust and they ride better than the bilsteins did but the truck bounces like crazy. New ball joints and such. I loosened my torsion keys all the way and that helped. I'm wondering if its cause of the rear leafs being so strong. Any ideas?

 

[stutaeng]

You mean it rides like a truck? LOL

I've got a similar truck. K3500 CCLB GVWR 9200 lbs. I was going to ask if yours happened to be a short bed...

I think it's because of your shorter wheelbase. I've got a 1500 ECSB 2wd and I think it rides about the same as my long truck, maybe a little worse actually, LOL.

I don't know what you could possibly do, exempt add 3-4 bags of 60# sand in the bed.

LT tires also ride stiffer. I run LTs on my all trucks.

Those 8 lug ECSB are a bit on the rare spectrum, BTW. Not too many were made.

 

[SNOMAN]

You mean it rides like a truck? LOL

I've got a similar truck. K3500 CCLB GVWR 9200 lbs. I was going to ask if yours happened to be a short bed...

I think it's because of your shorter wheelbase. I've got a 1500 ECSB 2wd and I think it rides about the same as my long truck, maybe a little worse actually, LOL.

I don't know what you could possibly do, exempt add 3-4 bags of 60# sand in the bed.

LT tires also ride stiffer. I run LTs on my all trucks.

Those 8 lug ECSB are a bit on the rare spectrum, BTW. Not too many were made.

Yeah I guess haha. These KO2 knockoffs might be part of the problem. It rides way better when pulling something. I have a topper on it now so I figure that helps some. I may just get a quality 4" lift with lighter springs and keep the torsion bars uncranked.

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[TheAutumnWind]

What condition are your jounce stops in? What pressure do you run your tires at? Old tires?

 

[1ton-o-fun]

Welcome Snoman!
Please don't let this upset you , because I just want to clear up something for you. The GMT400 HD platform has a different frame (taller) and weren't offered as pickup trucks. They were cab and chassis and/or ordered with different utility beds out back. The taller frame meant that the body sits higher and necessitated a rather ugly filler panel between the front bumper and the grille. Like this....

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Again, "I come in peace." Just informing you what a HD is. -And I bet THEY ride like hell, lol!

 

[mattillac]

When I used to daily drive mine(empty), to smooth out the ride a little, I would keep maybe five 50lb bags of pea gravel in the bed, above/behind the axle.

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https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...its/Chevrolet-Trucks/1997-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

If I am not mistaken, when people refer to K2500 HD they generally mean 8 lug, vs non HD 6 lug.

Not sure exactly what GM meant when they listed 2500 HD in the brochure.

 

[454cid]

My 3500 rides like garbage at highway speeds now, too. It feels like the frame is beaming to me. I've wondered if it's the shackles not moving properly.

 

[b454rat]

They made 3 versions of the 2500, 6 lug, 8 lug lite duty, 8 lug heavy duty. I had a 97 2500 that was the heavy duty. The 3500HD's is a whole different animal.

The bushing can wear out, steel sleeves rust in the bushings, balljoints, etc, etc. Tire and pressure makes a huge difference too.

 

[1ton-o-fun]

When I used to daily drive mine(empty), to smooth out the ride a little, I would keep maybe five 50lb bags of pea gravel in the bed, above/behind the axle.

You must be registered for see images attach

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...its/Chevrolet-Trucks/1997-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

If I am not mistaken, when people refer to K2500 HD they generally mean 8 lug, vs non HD 6 lug.

Not sure exactly what GM meant when they listed 2500 HD in the brochure.

Ahhhhhh... That makes sense. I get it now.

 

[stutaeng]

Ahhhhhh... That makes sense. I get it now.

I think that option is called C6P? It's basically the same as a 3500 SRW, at GVWR = 9200. Why GM would not just call it a 3500, is beyond me. Maybe they just had 2500 badging they wanted to use up? Who knows?!

Now that I think about it, a ECSB 3500 badging on the door would make it a very unique truck.

Welcome! And that's a very nice looking truck BTW!