Improving Pickup Truck Suspension for Better Performance
Improving Pickup Truck Suspension for Better Performance
Posted on June 17, 2021
The suspension is one of the most important parts of a pickup truck because it supports the weight of the truck and absorbs the bumps of the road. It provides a smooth and silky ride no matter the terrain. However, over time, the truck's ride quality may begin to suffer, and the truck may begin to squat.
When those things start to happen, it is time to take action to keep the truck level and stable while providing a smooth ride. Here are some things to consider if you are looking to improve or upgrade your truck's suspension.
Activities That Affect Suspension
Normal driving can affect a truck's suspension, especially as the kilometres begin to rack up on the odometer. But there are other activities that will wear down the suspension faster than normal driving. If it seems like your truck's suspension has deteriorated quickly, consider recent activities, such as:
• Towing a light-duty camper
• Filling the truck bed with tools and equipment
• Installing a slide-in camper
• Adding a heavy cap over the bed
• Fitting a snowplow or winch on the front end
Suspensions can easily be thrown out of whack by the addition of a new, heavy object such as a cap or a strenuous activity such as towing a camper. It is important to consider whether this is at fault in causing an issue or if there is an underlying problem with the suspension.
How to Improve Pickup Truck Suspension
The first and easiest way to improve pickup truck suspension is by getting a tune-up. Before you start adding new parts or thinking that something is seriously wrong with the truck, you should consider getting a suspension tune-up.
A regular inspection or service might only result in a modest tuning of the suspension. Even then, that is usually done just to prepare a truck for average demands. If you are towing or hauling something heavy, a more robust tune-up will be necessary.
You will need to find a service centre or mechanic who understands how to tune your suspension to match the truck's use. If your truck requires a suspension tune-up, here are a list of things to consider having done:
• Examination of the springs
• Inspection of the shock absorbers
• Checking the steering system
• Examining the bushing, bearings, joints, and linkages for wear
• Inspection of the wheel alignment
• Checking the power steering fluid and belt
If a dynamic tune-up fails to improve the ride quality, absorb the inconsistencies of the road, or carry the weight of the vehicle, a suspension upgrade is probably necessary.
Upgrading a Pickup Truck Suspension
There are several ways to properly upgrade your truck's suspension. Upgrading the shocks is one of the fastest ways to beef up your suspension. Heavy-duty shocks will be able to carry heavy loads, but they may not translate to a smooth and comfortable ride.
Other suspension upgrades include adding spring helpers, adding torsion bars, and/or using a lift kit. There are many ways to improve a pickup truck's suspension, and they all need to be considered carefully before veering away from a manufacturer's OEM equipment.