The "float" is most likely a function of the shocks. I've heard a lot of
mixed reviews on the Edelbrock IAS, some love 'em, more seem to think they
are not worth the price. If you're going off-road, get good Ranchos or
ProComps, if you're staying on the street and you wanna spend extra $$,
Bilsteins are good shocks. If you're on a budget, I've heard Monroe
Sensa-Tracs are decent.
You can improve handling in the rear if you go with SOFTER springs (but only
if you don't haul heavy loads). Conventional wisdom tells us that stiffer
springs should improve handling (and they do, on perfectly smooth roads);
however, in the real world of bumps, potholes, railroad tracks, etc., the
best-handling vehicles are the ones that have the softest suspensions to do
the job. Trucks are over-sprung by nature, thus have "loose" rear-ends -
a softer suspension will help keep the tires on the pavement when the roads
are less than perfect.
Handling improvements are best made by lowering the center of gravity and
putting (as much as practical) equal weight on all four corners of the
vehicle. Make sure you have a rear anti-sway bar. Tires will also make a
VERY BIG difference. Look for soft-rubber performance compounds, not those
60k+-mile jobbies (you'll also stop quicker). Again, if you don't do a lot
of hauling or off-roading, go with a short-sidewall tire. If you're worried
about your speedo being inaccurate, you may want to go to a larger-diameter
wheel, but you will pay $$ - there are cheap ways to get an accurate
speedo......
Lowering the truck (properly!) should improve handling immensely, but again,
you may not want to do this if you go off-road much. Lowering should also
improve your MPG as you will have less air rushing underneath that very
non-aerodynamic underside.
'92 Dak CC 2wd 318 3.55
'84 GoldWing Interstate
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