I’m currently running 10 ply 295’s on 18s. Bilstein 5100 on the rear. OEM up front. Truck is leveled as well. The ride is tough on bumpy roads. I know the tires and level are largely responsible. Is there anything I can do to smooth it out that’s not grossly expensive? I’m looking to run this truck for awhile since new trucks are insanely priced. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

Run the lowest tire pressure that you can for the tire. Tire pressures make a huge difference in ride quality. Swap out the 5100s for something else - their claim to fame is increased handling and reduced skittishness over bumps, and that necessarily means a stiffer ride. Beyond that there’s not much you can do.

 

What he said /\ /\ /\ I run my 10ply LTs at 44 front 40 rear around town and it's not a bad ride

 

35 is good for drive the wife around. Highways and towing, as high as needed. 40, 45, 50 etc

 

Unfortunately you can’t have both. If you want the good ride quality, go back to stock hight and p metric tires in the stock size.

The 5100s are fine in the rear. I have them on my truck and it’s not any more rough than the oem shocks.

 

^This. And that will help only a little. It's a truck on leaf springs, built to haul a load. If you want a soft pillowly ride trade it in on a new Ram with rear coils or air suspension...but then don't expect to haul any weight in the back.

 

The front OEM shocks are likely the culprit, stick them in the trash where they belong. Obviously, you have a spacer in front, nothing wrong with that, but a pair of good coilovers will greatly improve the ride/handling. I'm leaning towards running 35-40 psi in your tires as well.
What ever you try, don't expect a cloud like ride, these things do ride nicely, at least mine does, but still, it ain't a Rolls Royce.

 

why do you need an E tire for a 1/2 ton truck?? Are you hauling heavy loads???

 

I installed the 4600 shocks as a stock replacement, much better ride than the 5100 especially on the front, tire pressures make way more difference to ride on the front I find, rear pressures can be kept higher without much penalty.

 

there aren't alot of options in p rated tires larger than stock size. I ran the e rated for a while but I finally found some C rated tires in the size I wanted. Still rides a little rougher than stock but not as harsh as the E.