Air bags and cat scale shock

Vinsil wrote:
Could just be simple spring weights. Too light of rates and your shocks can't control it. Sure, you could have possibly heavier rates than a half ton...in the rear. I'd guess your torsion bars and keys up front just might be half ton stuff and they put a heavier spring pack on the rear to control the heavier axle and added payload. IIRC, the quad steer was geared toward the guy that towed a smaller trailer (not a true 3/4 ton) and made it easier to drive. The rear axle is a Dana 60 center section with Dana 44 knuckles/outters and balljoints. This is much heavier than a standard solid rear axle...so spring weights were raised.

This is a guess so I'd look into it. It may have 8 lug axles but it is still a semi floater rear. I'd check, you might the suspenion is just not sprung for the weight. Shocks will help and 52k might have them worn to the point of replacement as well.


Or...another truck works too. I feel your pain and wanting to keep a low mileage truck. I did and had to band aid mine to work....but it was easier than trying it with what your working with...a heavy 1/2 ton. The guys who buy the new Nissan Titan XD will be in the same bought and fall for marketing. I assume we will have them showing up here in the next year or so.....

The 1500 HD is definitely one of the most misunderstood trucks out there, just simply because of the nomenclature. Add the crazy Quadrasteer factor into it, and it becomes even more difficult to understand. Here is what I have found after researching my Frankenstein truck:

The 1500 HD is the same truck as a 3/4 ton 2500 non-HD produced from 2000-2004. Same frame, suspension, leaf springs, ratings, etc. as the older model 2500 3/4 ton GM produced from 1989-99. Similarly the 2500 HD is actually a 1 ton SRW truck, but everybody still calls them "3/4 tons". As for the front end, its definitely not standard 1500 stuff. Front axle rating 4,410 lbs, it has either GK or GL rated torsion bars (GK I believe), bigger disc brakes, tie rods, 8 lug wheels, etc. It also has the 4L80 transmission and 6.0 motor not offered in standard 1500's.

Quadrasteer was not just limited to towing small trailers, that's why they put it in an HD truck. It was actually designed with towing in mind. Now, they did offer it in a 1500 light duty Denali, which in that situation,the truck would be the limiting factor.

The Q-steer rear end in my truck is a semi-floater Dana 60 with a Dana G86 rear axle. Here is a Q&A I found with a Delphi engineer regarding the Q-steer rear end:

Q: Are the CV joints in the rear Dana 60 axle with Quadrasteer, heavy duty?

A: Yes, the quartershaft assembly has a tripot joint which allows the assembly to withstand torque levels similar to HD 2500 applications. The ring gear in the rear axle is a 9 3/4 inch.

Soooo.... I have the same truck as those old 2500's, and they have been hauling heavy a$$ campers around for years without any issues. BUT, most of them were single cabs or extended, not crew cabs. I am wondering if this is actually the culprit for the noticeable squat due to the longer frame and the camper being more rearward on it, and it is merely cosmetic? Especially since I am not really removing much weight off my front axle. Can removing 40 lbs. off the front axle really cause porpoising??

As I said before the shocks are adjustable, and have a "firm" setting. Apparently when this is activated, the electronic switch sends a signal to a solenoid within the shock to send hydraulic fluid through an internal orifice to stiffen the shock up. Now, I'm probably not a good judge of shocks being worn, as I never replace them until I hit a pot-hole and my rear-end continues to bounce:). I know this truck rides a lot rougher than my Tahoe, and when I hit a bump it stands up and recovers quickly, but that's the extent of my shock knowledge.

I absolutely love this truck. I've had 1500's my whole life and this thing is a lot tougher. Yea, I wanted a 2500 HD Duramax, but just not feasible in my situation. I would definitely loose my camper and downsize before giving up my Frankenstein:B.