GMC 3500 Crew Cab Rough Ride

Phantom59 wrote:
I'm definitely going to check the shocks first thanks for the input.
On a slightly different note I was under the truck the inspecting the missing tail pipe and noticed that there's no cats on it. It has what appears to be the factory Y pipe with no welds or modifications but no cats. I know they didn't put them on medium duty trucks until sometime in the 80s but I figured this truck would have them.

There's no telling what previous owners may have done with this truck including replacing cats and adding extra leaf springs. Even though it's a 3500,does it have any heavy duty factory options? Back in the 80's when I was a heavy equipment operator we had many 3500+ GMC and Chevy trucks. They all road pretty decent. My 2500 rides pretty well for a 3/4 ton truck even when empty however I wouldn't call it car like at all.

sayoung wrote:
Its a ONE TON,not a Cadillac Escalade.

Never expected a Cadillac ride and I have driven bigger trucks than this in the past. As I mentioned before I had a 79 chevy dually crew cab 10k gvw and it didn't ride like this. As a matter of fact it was very enjoyable to drive. This one makes my wife sick to ride in it.

our old 98 k3500 cc srw longbed ran smooth. Our k2500 sub rattles loose dental fillings. Love it!

Its a ONE TON,not a Cadillac Escalade.

I'm definitely going to check the shocks first thanks for the input.
On a slightly different note I was under the truck the inspecting the missing tail pipe and noticed that there's no cats on it. It has what appears to be the factory Y pipe with no welds or modifications but no cats. I know they didn't put them on medium duty trucks until sometime in the 80s but I figured this truck would have them.

I would try taking the shocks off and see if you can push them down by hand if the other things suggested don't work. The shocks could look new but you may have a frozen one or someone may have just put super heavy duty shocks on it.

I agree with the tire pressure issue. I ride with 45 # in my rear tires unless I'm towing. Also, I don't think your overload springs should be resting on the perch-ought to be an inch or two above. Could the original springs be worn out at 300,000 miles and sagging? I feel your pain. I had a 1966 one ton ford dually. It rode worse that a Harley hard tail with 200 # of air in both tires. Ugh

New shocks can make a world of difference

Empty, drop rear tire pressures. I would try ~45 on a dually, 50 on a SRW. 80psi empty will be truly painful!

Not planning on getting rid of it so I guess I will have to figure out a way to fix it so my wife doesn't get sea sick from riding in it.