That extra spring is just an overload spring, AFAIK, and wouldn't affect empty ride. What tire pressures are you running?

You might try putting 400+ lbs in the bed. It might actually ride better.

 

Add weight to the bed.

Look into "sulastic shackles"

Look into beefy shocks from fox/king.

 

Is it a single rear wheel?

Start by reducing the tire pressures.
If running the truck empty there will be more weight on the front axle than the rear so you can likely run the rears lower than the fronts.

 

Of course i missed the most obvious culprit, tires. hehehe

 

Couple ideas, but I've been eyeing 1-tons for my next truck and I figure some things I could try are:


* Run appropriate tire pressures, so 50 or so PSI empty and only bumping up to 80 when loaded heavy.

* Possibly swap out the 3500 springs for 2500 springs and then add supplemental airbags to make up the difference. It may seem counter-intuitive, but my 2500hd actually rides a bit smoother empty with ~5-10 PSI in the (aftermarket) airbags because it's taking some of the weight off of the (stiffer) leaf springs and putting it on the (plusher) airbags. My FIL's F-350 CCLB dually seems to have 2 sets of overload springs, so if the GMC is similar, you might see about removing the 'extra' overload spring. His truck handles smaller bumps reasonably well, but it's HARSH on medium to large bumps.

* Some shocks are known for riding smoother (Fox 2.0 or King) than others (Bilstein 5100's). However, I can't help but wonder if a softer shock would be at the detriment of loaded stability. Rancho makes an adjustable shock that I ran on an F-250 for a while and it did ok, but was a pain to adjust and some folks have concerns about longevity.

 

I've chased the "smooth riding HD truck" a few times over the years. Here are some notes from my experience, to add to what's already been posted.

Any improvement in ride, will affect load-carrying ability. Specifically, you'll squat a lot more under load...I used airbags to address. It's a moot point if you never haul heavy loads.

There really isn't any easy/inexpensive way to significantly improve the ride. The extent of improvements will be based on how much money you're willing to spend.

Shocks alone won't significantly improve the ride. You'll have to pair shocks with lower spring rates. Your spring/shock package will be a significant source of improvement.

Tires and psi are significant factors for small-bump compliance...road bumps that are too small to get the suspension moving.

The lower psi you run, the better the ride. Don't be afraid to play with tire pressures, I adjusted mine often depending on what I was doing. Tire load capacities at a given psi are standardized across the industry, I suggest referring to a Load Inflation Table like this one to determine how low you can safely go with your tires (it's the same for all brands despite the link to Toyo)...you might be surprised how low you can safely go. I ran 42 front /38 rear with 35" tires and still had significant capacity before I had to add air.

I'm not a fan of torsion springs that GM uses, I think they ride like shit and aren't progressive, but a coilover conversion ain't exactly cheap.

I spent cubic dollars getting that truck setup to my liking, and I'd do it again if I ever get another HD truck...

 

I've chased the "smooth riding HD truck" a few times over the years. Here are some notes from my experience, to add to what's already been posted.

Any improvement in ride, will affect load-carrying ability. Specifically, you'll squat a lot more under load...I used airbags to address. It's a moot point if you never haul heavy loads.

There really isn't any easy/inexpensive way to significantly improve the ride. The extent of improvements will be based on how much money you're willing to spend.

Shocks alone won't significantly improve the ride. You'll have to pair shocks with lower spring rates. Your spring/shock package will be a significant source of improvement.

Tires and psi are significant factors for small-bump compliance...road bumps that are too small to get the suspension moving.

The lower psi you run, the better the ride. Don't be afraid to play with tire pressures, I adjusted mine often depending on what I was doing. Tire load capacities at a given psi are standardized across the industry, I suggest referring to a Load Inflation Table like this one to determine how low you can safely go with your tires (it's the same for all brands despite the link to Toyo)...you might be surprised how low you can safely go. I ran 42 front /38 rear with 35" tires and still had significant capacity before I had to add air.

I'm not a fan of torsion springs that GM uses, I think they ride like shit and aren't progressive, but a coilover conversion ain't exactly cheap.

I spent cubic dollars getting that truck setup to my liking, and I'd do it again if I ever get another HD truck...

This is pretty much the answer.

 

I feel your pain. Back in the 80s I purchased a 3/4 ton HD pickup. Great truck, however....Not too bad on the highway, but get onto primitive roads for hunting/camping, that thing would beat the hell out of me. My solution was to get a half ton. To this day, I still do half tons for the ride.

 

Guy who has the Rough Country Vert adjustable all the way around on his 3500 said it did make for a better overall ride.

He wanted a better ride but didn't have that kind of money back then to go Fox/King. So he went with the RC's.

 

drive a car until you need to use your truck
Im sorry but its kinda funny you bought a 3500HD and live on dirt roads. maybe see about local government paving some?

I think there would be a difference in brakes, but youdidnt offer a year.

 

Government do something? 😂

 

I prefer dirt roads myself.

 

It's funny but my 2015 silverado dually rode better than my 2019 1500 with the Z71. I am also looking a way to make my ride better, it's nice on the highway feels planted but small bumps and rough slow roads it will beat you to hell even though it's a 1500.