Some of you recall my efforts to eliminate the bouncy and springy ride that I got after upgrading to the Belltech Leaf Springs. During the first week of January replaced my "L" Spec Bilsteins with Supercrew Bilsteins. These offered a much-improved ride, but after more seat time, I still felt a bit more bounce and springiness than I desired. So after much research and review of info, I decided try a pair of the Sulastic Rubber Springs, that the Tundra and Chevy forum members rave about for correcting their bed bounce problems. Installation is simple and straight forward, it requires removal of shackles and replacing each with Sulastic Rubber Springs.
Edit: Thought I should clarify that my issues as well as comments and review are in regards to suspension/bed bounce and springiness conditions I was experiencing during highway and expressway speeds. Probably the only thing that could improve the quality of the ride when driving over the extreme potholes and uneven road surfaces we encounter in most inter-cities, is a Hovercraft.
Here’s part an article from the 2007 SEMA show: Sulastic calls them rubber springs, but they are really a couple of bushings that damp the harshness of leaf springs. The company says the product can cut driver fatigue by smoothing out the ride, and makes the vehicle easier to drive with large loads or while towing. The device doesn’t affect load capacity or warranty, but may reduce ride height by ¼”.
BTW - Cosmetics were much better on the ones I received. Got mine at Memo Imports - sale priced @ $269.00 incl shmt.
Installed them mid-January but didn’t have the opportunity drive the truck due to the salty road conditions. Well road conditions improved and I got some drive time last evening and early this morning. Gotta tell ya, I really love the further improvements these things make to the ride. Smoothness is an understatement…. there’s pratically no bounce or springiness to the ride period. I deliberty drove over small pot holes and uneven patches to test the ride. Does feel kind of eerie or uncanny for a truck to have such a smooth silky-like ride. Falling asleep should be my only concern now! Another added benefit was a bit more drop (1/4-1/2") in the rear. Here are some pics taken this morning.
Hope this is of benefit to others.