I have a 1995 Chevy Silverado Z71. The ride SUCKS!!! Its can actually
throw my back out of alignment.

Been studying up on shock in the hope of being able to wisely buy a
set that will give me a better ride. Now I learn that shocks stabilize
the vehicle more than they soften the shock from the bumps.

I've been told that what I need to do is take a leaf out of the rear
springs and adjust the torsion bars in the front. Is this the solution
to a better ride in a 4X4? Is this a doable project for me? I'd
appreciate a basic description of the proceedure if anyone can explain
it to me. If you know of a website that might help that what be nice
too. Thanks...

Daryl Helwig wrote:
> I have a 1995 Chevy Silverado Z71. The ride SUCKS!!! Its can actually
> throw my back out of alignment.
>
> Been studying up on shock in the hope of being able to wisely buy a
> set that will give me a better ride. Now I learn that shocks stabilize
> the vehicle more than they soften the shock from the bumps.
>
> I've been told that what I need to do is take a leaf out of the rear
> springs and adjust the torsion bars in the front. Is this the solution
> to a better ride in a 4X4? Is this a doable project for me? I'd
> appreciate a basic description of the proceedure if anyone can explain
> it to me. If you know of a website that might help that what be nice
> too. Thanks...
Adjusting the torsion bars only affects ride height and bottoming (or
topping) resistance depending on which way you go. Within the limits of
normal suspension travel, the adjustment doesn't affect the ride. Taking
a leaf out, howver, will make the rear softer.

Rob Munach wrote:
>
> Daryl Helwig wrote:
> > I have a 1995 Chevy Silverado Z71. The ride SUCKS!!! Its can actually
> > throw my back out of alignment.
> >
> > Been studying up on shock in the hope of being able to wisely buy a
> > set that will give me a better ride. Now I learn that shocks stabilize
> > the vehicle more than they soften the shock from the bumps.
> >
> > I've been told that what I need to do is take a leaf out of the rear
> > springs and adjust the torsion bars in the front. Is this the solution
> > to a better ride in a 4X4? Is this a doable project for me? I'd
> > appreciate a basic description of the proceedure if anyone can explain
> > it to me. If you know of a website that might help that what be nice
> > too. Thanks...
> Adjusting the torsion bars only affects ride height and bottoming (or
> topping) resistance depending on which way you go. Within the limits of
> normal suspension travel, the adjustment doesn't affect the ride. Taking
> a leaf out, howver, will make the rear softer.

Here's a page (not for a Chevy) on the general procedure for torsion bar adjustment:
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/torsion/index.htm

You might also check the ORC Chevy section:
http://www.off-road.com/chevy/

--
Roger

Daryl Helwig wrote:

> I have a 1995 Chevy Silverado Z71. The ride SUCKS!!! Its can actually
> throw my back out of alignment.
>
> Been studying up on shock in the hope of being able to wisely buy a
> set that will give me a better ride. Now I learn that shocks stabilize
> the vehicle more than they soften the shock from the bumps.
>
> I've been told that what I need to do is take a leaf out of the rear
> springs and adjust the torsion bars in the front. Is this the solution
> to a better ride in a 4X4? Is this a doable project for me? I'd
> appreciate a basic description of the proceedure if anyone can explain
> it to me. If you know of a website that might help that what be nice
> too. Thanks...

Usually a rough ride will smooth out with a load on the springs so it
sounds like more often than not you are driving around empty. If so,
why do you need a truck that big? Might be better off with a car based
4WD/AWD SUV if traction is the chief consideration, then renting or
borrowing (or buying if you have the space to keep it) a trailer for
those occasions you need to haul bigger or messier stuff than you want
on the carpeting in back.

Unwinding the torsion bars can lead to alignment headaches and/or
bottoming out your front end if too much is taken out, which will
definitely lead to alignment headaches. Removing a leaf will reduce
your payload capacity when you do want to haul stuff heavier than
groceries or golf clubs.