2013 Chevy Express 3500 Passenger Van - Suspension Upgrade

[Tiggs]

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.

[Tiggs]

My rear Bilstein shocks arrived yesterday and I put them on today. The old shocks were indeed "crap". I compressed the one and it stays compressed. The other will offer resistance for about 1/2 it's distance and then travels quite easily.

The Bilstens were a "mother" to get compressed and stay compressed for the install. So the install took way longer than I expected until I figured out a way to compress them in a manner that didn't interfere with installation. Needless to say the ride seems improved. Not like riding in a Lincoln, but improved, which is good by me.

My front shocks are on back order.

Carolyn

[Tiggs]

comanche38 wrote:
Good choice on the Bilsteins! ktosv - The Bilsteins made a difference in both instances (smoother ride and better dampening). The dampening is the main issue with the stock shocks and it took care of it. The shocks on these are very easy to remove/install and can be done in your driveway. Good luck

Thanks for the input. Fingers crossed it does the trick! I'm hoping to do the work in the driveway. Not sure I have the muscle to do the work by myself but I'll try, and if not, I can call in the cavalry.

[comanche38]

Good choice on the Bilsteins! ktosv - The Bilsteins made a difference in both instances (smoother ride and better dampening). The dampening is the main issue with the stock shocks and it took care of it. The shocks on these are very easy to remove/install and can be done in your driveway. Good luck

[Tiggs]

After shopping around, I ordered the Bilstein 4600's for all four corners this AM @ $87 each, free shipping. The rear shocks were in stock but the fronts where back ordered. Hoping I don't have to wait 4 weeks for them to come in.

[carringb]

Tiggs wrote:
I paid closer attention to the van's ride yesterday. On smoother roads it does have a decent ride, I feel little transferance of road conditions up through the steering column. The worst part of the trip the rhythmic bounce the van experiences traveling over the expansion joints. If I could just get a handle on that, I would be much happier with the ride.

Yup. That's how they all feel. They are actually a little "smoother" than the Fords, but have way more bounce, or even wallowing on bad roads, simply because they are WAY under-damped. The springs are a little soft too for full loads, but if you aren't running at GVWR, keep them as is since stronger springs will worsen your unloaded ride.

Monotube shocks fix the under-damped problem, and as a bonus they'll last a whole lot longer and have a lifetime warranty

[APT]

There are not many companies than make shocks and struts. Tenneco makes the Monroe and Rancho as well as many OEM shocks. That does not mean they are all good or all bad.

Occasionally Sears runs a promotion of free shock installation with purchase. I took advantage of that a few years ago when I bought Rancho RS9000x for my last truck and paid about $10 more per shock that the best web prices at the time, but free installation. Do it right, get the better shocks. You won't remember the extra $100 very long, but the ride will be reminded every time you drive.

[Tiggs]

I paid closer attention to the van's ride yesterday. On smoother roads it does have a decent ride, I feel little transferance of road conditions up through the steering column. The worst part of the trip the rhythmic bounce the van experiences traveling over the expansion joints. If I could just get a handle on that, I would be much happier with the ride.

Since it was a short trip, I did try lowering the tire pressure and I can't say I noticed a difference in any aspect of the ride quality.

I am going to order new shocks this week. Fingers crossed that will help.

[ktosv]

mcsurveyor and comanche38,

Both of you have done the Bilsteins upgrade? Did you do this yourself or did you have a shop do it? Does the ride improve by making the ride any smoother or does it just get rid of the underdamped situation?

Also, does it have to be Bilsteins or KYB shock upgrade or will Monroes do it too? My mechanic swears by the NAPA shocks that are made by Monroe. Just wondered if I had him do it if I just have him use his normal parts supplier or if I show up with Bilsteins and let him put them on.

[mkirsch]

If you do some digging on the tire manufacturer's website you can often find inflation charts for your tires, giving specific cold pressures for specific loads.

Concrete highways can be hard to mitigate because the designers in their infinite wisdom set the spacing between the seams such that it sets up a harmonic with your truck at the posted speed limit. The right wheelbase, and the right speed, and the truck starts galloping. You either have to speed up or slow down.

[comanche38]

Yes, what mcsurveyor said. We have a 2011 Express 3500 and did the Bilsteins all around. It made a huge difference. We love our van as a tow and family vehicle and are amazed more people don't use them. Good luck.

[mcsurveyor]

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]

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.

[BurbMan]

Here is what it says in my owners manual:

[kaydeejay]

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.