softening the ride?
 

Have a 2005 silverado 1500 WT reg cab (1/2 ton) with 8' bed and stock wheels. What can I do to it at reasonable cost to soften the ride. Kind of a stiff ride right now. It's a very basic truck and I suspect it came with a fairly basic suspension. I don't want to spend a lot on it, but if there are some reasonable changes, then I'd be interested. Also, personal experience with the recommendations is a plus.

No ideas?

Will shocks alone make much difference?

did you buy the truck used, if so someone could have installed heavy tires or stiff shocks.

check your tires, is the first letter a P which means passenger tires or is the first letter LT with means Light truck

LT tires can have much stiffer side walls and make your truck ride rough. My 2500 series has LT 245/75-16 load range E tires which are 10 ply rated and it rides like a log wagon.

some one could have installed stiffer shocks made for a truck you might take to the woods or mud bottoms, heavy duty shocks will make your truck ride rough. also worn out shock will make your truck ride rough, I got new shocks for my truck and it made for a much improved ride even as it is a 2500 series.

has the truck been lifted, lift kits will make the truck ride rough.

check all these out, if none, then guess you just have to understand a truck will ride rougher than a car.