Non-BMW general suspension question

[BMW135pls]

So I have a utility truck that I drive for work. A Chevy 5.7L 3500HD with utility bed in fact (2007 ish). It's quite used, ~270k miles on it, but it still runs well enough to be fixed up for continued service work. I was talking with our mechanic about excessive cab body roll and front squat under braking, and also extreme bouncing from average sized bumps. The rear seems fine, only the cab suspension is a problem. I was thinking the springs were worn, but he was thinking the shocks were the main issue.

The shocks could definitely cause the overactive bump responses, but they shouldn't cause the other two issues would they? The excessive body roll in turns and the front squatting while braking? Reason it bothers me is that I tend to have job related parts/invoices and such inside the cab and they slide and fly everywhere when turning/braking at normal driving levels. Also the cab movement doesn't do nice things to my coffee.

It's also got mud tires on the front but standard all season street tires in the rear. Don't ask me why it has mud tires in the front, a legacy of the previous user of the truck which none of us can readily explain. I'm sure they're not helping the situation, but I'm pretty sure standard tires wouldn't be the key change either. Running 65psi at all four tires.

[Solo_M_Tech]

the shocks are 100% to blame here in my opinion. All of the symptoms tend to point at them.

[BMW135pls]

Originally Posted by ApexResistance

the shocks are 100% to blame here in my opinion. All of the symptoms tend to point at them.

Awesome. Any idea what a decent brand or make for a utility truck would be? We end up doing a lot of highway driving, but some of the smaller roads we drive are very bumpy and uncomfortable. I found Bilstein shocks I can get for about $130 a set.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by BMW135pls

Awesome. Any idea what a decent brand or make for a utility truck would be? We end up doing a lot of highway driving, but some of the smaller roads we drive are very bumpy and uncomfortable. I found Bilstein shocks I can get for about $130 a set.

Gabriel HD monotube, or Bilstein would be my 2 choices.

[dtla1]

Yeah I would go with the Bilstein option.

[MightyMouseTech]

Had Bilstein on my 2500 suburban. They are pretty much the standard. Although, not much is going to take the roughness out of a 1 ton truck. They are built to handle load, not comfort.

Also, springs don't wear. They may sag a bit, or break, but they don't get softer.

Make sure you have the correct load range of tire on, assuming you are using LT tires. Also, make sure the pressures are right. On the burb, it was like 65 front, 80 rear on load E tires. (Edit: oops, read your entire post)

The Michelin LTX are the tire of choice.

[_Ryan_]

Bilstein. My pick for every day car use. Hope it applies to trucks!

[Solo_M_Tech]

My reasoning for the Gabriel shocks is you can get them alittle cheaper from Autozone or Advance Auto etc and they will carry a lifetime warranty. So if they wear out again you just have to exchange them.