Forum Discussion

Tiggs's avatar
Tiggs
Explorer
Jul 12, 2014

2013 Chevy Express 3500 Passenger Van - Suspension Upgrade

Looking to improve the ride in my van. It looks like, in the front, it uses independent short/long arm (SLA) coil springs and a 35-mm stabilizer bar. In the rear there are two-stage, semi-elliptic multi-leaf springs and semifloating rear axle. At least this is what the suspension specs state for this particular make and model on Chevy's site.

I use the van to travel to dog shows, either with the TT or without. I knew the dogs weren't enjoying the ride like they did in my old conversion van but yesterday one of the dogs tossed their cookies so it's time to look for a solution.

I was looking around this forum and the internet and found a product by Air Lift called the Load Lifter 5000 Ultimate, which others here have been pleased with. The price, a little over $300 (not counting the $50 mail in rebate), seems reasonable, but not sure if this is the best direction to go. Also would appreciate your opinions on the need to upgrade the suspension in the front as well, or if I should do the rear and see how it rides before looking in that direction too.
Tow Vehicles
  • mcsurveyor's avatar
    mcsurveyor
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    We have a 2012 Express 3500. The ride is great for a 1-ton vehicle, but it seems like a combination of stiff tires and underdamped suspention. The ride improves significantly with lower tire pressure. We run them at 50psi in the front, and 65 psi in the rear and it's a noticeable improvement. Also, Bilsteins should be installed from the moment of purchase. The OEM shocks are junk. They should take care of the rest. Airbags improve the loaded ride quality, and make the empty ride worse.
  • Tiggs's avatar
    Tiggs
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    Thank you for the info. I've gotten in touch with a friend who is going to send me some info on how he softened the ride in his truck and believes the application will work just as well for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that his solution solves the problem and that it is reasonably economical.
  • kaydeejay's avatar
    kaydeejay
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    Tiggs wrote:
    .....................My tires are Bridgestone V-Steel R1B 265's, Load range is E and the max pressure is 90 psi on the tire. The door panel lists my pressures should be set at 50psi in the front and 80psi in the rear. I checked the owners manual and I don't see any recommendation to lower those pressures. Wouldn't lower than stated pressures cause tire overheating and risk damage to the sidewalls?
    The 80 psi is for when the van is loaded to GVWR.
    When lightly loaded, after weighing the weight on the rear end, it is perfectly OK to run lower pressures according to the Manufacturer's tire pressure charts. Running at recommended pressure for the actual load will NOT damage the tire. In fact it will help avoid excessive center tread wear.
    I run 45psi on my truck when not towing, 80 psi with the fiver on.
  • Tiggs's avatar
    Tiggs
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2014
    I'm looking into the Bilstein 4600's, both front and rear. It looks like the only thing Bilstein makes that will fit my vehicle.

    My tires are Bridgestone V-Steel R1B 265's, Load range is E and the max pressure is 90 psi on the tire. The door panel lists my pressures should be set at 50psi in the front and 80psi in the rear. I checked the owners manual and I don't see any recommendation to lower those pressures. Wouldn't lower than stated pressures cause tire overheating and risk damage to the sidewalls?
  • adayjk's avatar
    adayjk
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2014
    carringb wrote:
    I know exactly how you feel. I had to to stop renting the Express vans for my large group trips because they often became the puker vans.

    The biggest problem is the OEM shocks. They are terrible. Upgrade to Bilsteins or KYB MonoMax, and most of the bounce will go away.



    I agree. I bought a Class C based on the 4500 Chassis and the thing was a roller coaster ride. When I upgraded the front shocks at only 250 miles, the RH shock was defective. Bilsteins made a huge difference, although it isn't hard to improve on broken junk.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2014
    I know exactly how you feel. I had to to stop renting the Express vans for my large group trips because they often became the puker vans.

    The biggest problem is the OEM shocks. They are terrible. Upgrade to Bilsteins or KYB MonoMax, and most of the bounce will go away.

    Airbags do not generally reduce bounce. Sometimes they can make is worse if the airbags are too short (reducing spring travel). They are good at leveling, and can reduce some harshness when loaded. I had to switch airbags because my old airbags cause too much bounce sometimes. My new airbags are tapered and have 12" of travel vs 4" that the old ones had.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Jul 12, 2014
    Wth the 3500 van you likely have E rated tires that call for 80 psi max. when you run "empty" or not towing it helps to reduce the psi to 65 or so. Thats what I do on the burb and it even says to do this in the owners manual. the E rated tires are very stiff at max psi and with no load in the vehicle will bounce it arund quite a bit. I would try that before you start spending $$ on suspension upgrades.
  • Tiggs's avatar
    Tiggs
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2014
    Yesterday's ride was mostly on cement roadways, with what felt like bad seams between the slabs. Lots of jarring with the rear lifting and then settling at every seam. I was not towing then but the ride isn't that much different when I am (I've got a really small, lightweight TT.)

    Watching the product video, it seemed t smooth out that ride, but not sure if it will do what I'm wanting it to do.
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2014
    What is the problem with the ride? Too stiff and rough? Or too much bouncing?

    Being a 3500 I would have to guess that the ride is very stiff. If the van is only loaded with a few hundred pounds, the ride is going to be rough for the dogs. I don't see how airbags would help that. If anything, they will stiffen the suspension and make the ride even rougher.

    If you have a lot of weight and the suspension is wallowing a lot, causing car sickness, then bags might help.

    The type of hitch can make a difference as well if they are only getting sick while towing. The small amount of swaying and bouncing caused by a tt will bring on car sickness. I had a friend with a daughter who got sick every time they towed the trailer, no other times. They used a passenger van too. He bought a Hensley Arrow ($$) and problem solved, she never got sick again.

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