How to make F150 ride better?

[Snakebitten]

Well, the Lightning is one heavy-ass truck and they went with an IRS, so I do think it's coming. It's no longer as big a limitation for towing/payload (RAM figured it out, mostly).

Ummmmm
The Lightning drivetrain layout kinda demanded it. That was clean-slate engineering all the way. They used every bit of the F150 chassis they could get away with, but the drivetrain is nothing F150 ICE.

And according to Ford, the Lightning is going to have a brief shelf life, relatively speaking. At least regarding using the F150 as a backbone.

Sponsored

 

[RickBullotta]

Ummmmm
The Lightning drivetrain layout kinda demanded it. That was clean-slate engineering all the way. They used every bit of the F150 chassis they could get away with, but the drivetrain is nothing F150 ICE.

And according to Ford, the Lightning is going to have a brief shelf life, relatively speaking. At least regarding using the F150 as a backbone.

Interesting and good to know! I hope they don't use the R1T as a backbone. That's a grocery getter (a fast one) - not a truck.

 

[Snakebitten]

Interesting and good to know! I hope they don't use the R1T as a backbone. That's a grocery getter (a fast one) - not a truck.

I don't know if it's good news or bad news for me personally.
No doubt that using the ICE F150 platform put some serious packaging limitations on the Lightning. But at the same time my FAVORITE attribute of the Lightning is that it is so F150!

Sooooooo

What is the Lightning 2nd generation?
Is it an Electric F150 in looks and feel? Interior/exterior?

I'm not anti-ev in the least, but very very few EVs are attractive to my dinosaur eyes. Most of them seem more like a novelty look. I'm too much a country boy, admittedly.

 

[RickBullotta]

I don't know if it's good news or bad news for me personally.
No doubt that using the ICE F150 platform put some serious packaging limitations on the Lightning. But at the same time my FAVORITE attribute of the Lightning is that it is so F150!

Sooooooo

What is the Lightning 2nd generation?
Is it an Electric F150 in looks and feel? Interior/exterior?

I'm not anti-ev in the least, but very very few EVs are attractive to my dinosaur eyes. Most of them seem more like a novelty look. I'm too much a country boy, admittedly.

My brother has an R1T, and most definitely has a goofy look - particularly the front view. It looks like it's saying, "Hi! My name is Trucky"

 

[Snakebitten]

My brother has an R1T, and most definitely has a goofy look - particularly the front view. It looks like it's saying, "Hi! My name is Trucky"

It's a fascinating vehicle though, in many ways. But it couldn't be more different than a Lightning in respect to design and manufacturing.

One example: the body of the Rivian is fastened to the frame with more than 1000 fasteners! (according to Munroe Engineering)

The F150 and Lightning are fastened with 8 bolts.

It's discussed here:

 

[slow3v]

Well, the Lightning is one heavy-ass truck and they went with an IRS, so I do think it's coming. It's no longer as big a limitation for towing/payload (RAM figured it out, mostly).

RAM is still a stick axle with coil springs. It is not independent.

 

[Bills-R-Electric]

I’ve got a ‘22 XLT SuperCrew short bed with MAX tow package, 18” rims, and no issues in ride quality.
It is noticeably stiffer than the standard suspension, but even my wife is impressed with how comfortable it is.
20” or larger wheels will be more harsh, unless the tire diameter is also larger to maintain a good sidewall height.

18" wheels could/should give you better mpg too. Not a lot, but typically the tread design will yield up to 2 mpg on trips.

 

[Jarm0c]

Any idea if the preload on the front springs using something like 5100's for leveling would cause the truck to feel like it has less damping? Trying to find out if road driving feel will be negatively impacted by leveling.

 

[RickBullotta]

RAM is still a stick axle with coil springs. It is not independent.

The rear suspension design (five link) on the RAM is a pretty interesting design actually. A bit more than just slapping coil springs on a solid rear axle. About 2/3 of the way down they do a deep dive on the way it works (though some of it is specific to the TRX). It's quite clever.

2021 Ram 1500 TRX Suspension Deep Dive | How it works - Autoblog

 

[slow3v]

The rear suspension design on the TRX is a pretty interesting design actually. A bit more than just slapping coil springs on a solid rear axle. About 2/3 of the way down they do a deep dive on the way it works. It's quite clever.

2021 Ram 1500 TRX Suspension Deep Dive | How it works - Autoblog

Seriously? Of course the TRX is different than a regular RAM, but it's still a live axle.

 

[RickBullotta]

Seriously? Of course the TRX is different than a regular RAM, but it's still a live axle.

The five link design is not specific to the TRX - but that article helps describe some of the interesting aspects of how it works. And I never said the RAM was an IRS. That was the Lightning. Simply saying that RAM figured out how to deliver a good compromise between "truck" utility and decent handling.

 

[Chili]

Well, the Lightning is one heavy-ass truck and they went with an IRS, so I do think it's coming. It's no longer as big a limitation for towing/payload (RAM figured it out, mostly).

The five link design is not specific to the TRX - but that article helps describe some of the interesting aspects of how it works. And I never said the RAM was an IRS. That was the Lightning. Simply saying that RAM figured out how to deliver a good compromise between "truck" utility and decent handling.

I certainly took that as referring to the RAM having IRS which it of course, does not.

I wanted IRS in a truck as well at one point but am shocked at how well my F150 rides and no longer care.

Seems like a lot of trucks get bought, cheap or good levels with LT tires and then sold because they ride like crap but people don't realize they ride worse right after they modded it.

 

[Chili]

yeah my Ram’s rear end does ride smoother than my Ford for sure.

I'm not saying Ram's don't ride nicer, I'm sure they do. But does your Ram also have oversized tires and a level like your F150?

The only Ram I've driven was a prior gen, 2015 maybe? My 22 F150 rides nicer. I have heard that the newer gen Rams ride better but never driven one.

I also know they don't have the over 1900lbs payload in a standard payload package crew cab truck with a decent amount of options like I do.

 

[HammaMan]

"ride better" to me is running the 20s at 40 psi and installing a rear sway bar. Significantly better road handling at the cost of slightly more fuss over very large terrain deltas. Road handling and towing are the above. Off road is different entirely. On road the truck is already caddy soft and the above helps correct that (less body roll, firmer ride). Granted my truck weighs a hair over 6klbs with just me in it, another ~200lbs of tools and gear onboard makes it 62xxlbs.

No, it's not a race car by any means, but I like my street handling a bit firmer. ALL trucks need a rear sway. I couldn't imagine running 31psi. If you saw your tires in a turn at that pressure, you'd raise it to 35 at least. F150s from the factory are already really soft and the lack of rear sway -- well, put one on and you'll understand. Even a small rear bar makes a world of difference. Makes cornering more of lean than a front dip/dive. That's a big deal IMO.

The powerboost's frame is the most rigid except for the raptor's. It's 30% wider center-beam than all non-raptors, and 10% thicker steel than the raptor's. It's a bit of franken-frame. Not quite raptor, but definitely heavier than all other F150 frames.

Made a post on it here
https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/the-pbs-franken-frame-and-gimped-gvwr-sticker.13070/

 

[HammaMan]

I hear ya. I guess my question ought to be in the context of street driving, what are the ride and handling benefits of adding the FP+Bilstein kit to a 22 Platinum with max tow, aside from the visual benefit of some front end leveling?

I wouldn't unless you seriously give your suspension a workout. Level w/ 2.25" pucks (you have a PB, them's some heavy girls). Consider a rear sway bar, between rear sway and front pucks you won't dive in turns and it'll handle the road better. Higher performing shocks help out if you change out your wheels / tires by a margin of 20% (increased weight). Otherwise that kit on a powerboost is mostly moot. You're already carrying 600lbs more than a non PB truck, and your shocks and springs are already the highest there is. Even stiffer than a raptor's. They warn of such in the kit.

The pucks are more than cosmetic, they bring the CG up and aft ever-so slightly and decrease the front dive in cornering.

I had an 08 Tundra when they came out (came with 305-50-20 on BBS wheels) and at the time it was the best driving truck there was. Driving / handling was amazing, 'lexus' like in-fact. Put the TRD rear sway on it and it made a world of difference. My next 'truck' after that was the 22 F150 and it rode even better than the tundra did (though doesn't turn like it), once the f150 got it the sway bar. There was a few years and other vehicles between them, but the F150 was certainly a nice ride. Tundra wheel/tire package was region specific and not common. Both are trucks that don't ride like it. Glad my needs don't require 10 ply tires.

Sponsored