Suspension Advice for My 1995 Chevy 1500

I have a 1995 Chevy 1500 single cab, and it’s sitting pretty low to the ground. Whenever I hit bumps, it slams down hard, and I’m looking for some advice on what to do. Should I go for coilovers for the rear, or would new shocks be enough? Also, any recommendations on where to buy either of these would be appreciated!

Do you know if it has been lowered?

Finnick said:
Do you know if it has been lowered?

Yes, the previous owner lowered it, and visually, it is very low for a truck.

Derry said:

Finnick said:
Do you know if it has been lowered?

Yes, the previous owner lowered it, and visually, it is very low for a truck.

If it’s already lowered, that’s probably why you’re feeling those harsh bumps. The suspension travel might be limited. You could try getting new shocks, but coilovers might be a better choice if you want to adjust the height and stiffness.

@Cruisin
That makes sense. I just don’t want it to ride like a brick every time I hit a bump, especially if I’m carrying stuff in the back.

Derry said:
@Cruisin
That makes sense. I just don’t want it to ride like a brick every time I hit a bump, especially if I’m carrying stuff in the back.

Totally get that. If you want a smoother ride, go with adjustable coilovers. They give you the flexibility to soften things up when you need it. But if you’re on a budget, some heavy-duty shocks could also help.

@Cruisin
Yeah, coilovers are definitely worth it if you want more control over the ride. I lowered my ‘98 C1500, and I had to upgrade to coilovers after trying just new shocks. Made a big difference, but it’s pricier.

@Lin
Good to know! I’m leaning towards the coilovers now, just don’t want to overdo it if shocks would’ve been enough.

If you’re hitting bumps that hard, it sounds like your shocks might be blown or too stiff for the setup you have. I’d check those first before spending on coilovers.

Hollis said:
If you’re hitting bumps that hard, it sounds like your shocks might be blown or too stiff for the setup you have. I’d check those first before spending on coilovers.

I’ll definitely have a look at the shocks, but would coilovers help even if they’re still working?

@Derry
Absolutely! Coilovers will give you more tuning options. You can dial in how stiff or soft you want the ride to be. But if your shocks are just old, replacing them could make a huge difference without needing to swap everything out.

I’d recommend checking out some aftermarket brands like Belltech or QA1. They have good coilover kits for lowered trucks, and you can find deals online if you shop around.

Ari said:
I’d recommend checking out some aftermarket brands like Belltech or QA1. They have good coilover kits for lowered trucks, and you can find deals online if you shop around.

I’ve heard of Belltech but not QA1. Are they pretty reliable?

@Derry
QA1 is solid. They’re known for performance parts, so they can handle a lot. If you’re serious about improving the ride and maybe adjusting the height, I’d go with them.

Ari said:
@Derry
QA1 is solid. They’re known for performance parts, so they can handle a lot. If you’re serious about improving the ride and maybe adjusting the height, I’d go with them.

I second QA1! Used them on my old Silverado, and the ride quality improved massively. Plus, you can adjust them without needing special tools.

@Wren
That’s good to hear! I’ll definitely check them out. Thanks for the recommendation!