How to make F150 ride better?

[Jd man]

Hi there, first post for me. I was reading responses on making an F150 ride better. Seems most answers are less air in tires, I run 31, and weight in the bed, problem with that would be, lower mpg, and slower acceleration. So, any other ideas? How about removing a leaf?

Sponsored

 

[unafFORDableXLT]

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.

 

[Buyer2021]

Hi there, first post for me. I was reading responses on making an F150 ride better.

A thorough description of your F150 year, model, options, etc including wheel / tire specs and any towing and / or payload packages would be helpful. What's the payload number on the sticker found on your driver's door or door frame?

What's your primary use (e.g 'urban commuter' or ...)?

How much payload capacity to you need, even if only occasionally (e.g what's the most weight you put in/on your truck including the weight of driver and all passengers and any trailer tongue weight)?

Do you find the ride objectionable on all roads or only in certain situations?

What more specifically do you find objectionable about the ride (e.g. too harsh jolt when hitting a small bump; continues to bounce after passing a bump; or .....)?

The more info you provide about the vehicle baseline, your use habits, and the symptoms that trouble you .... the more likely you'll get meaningful suggestions for possible solutions. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' answer to your question.

Just for added context .... is this your first pickup? If not, what pickup have you owned that gave you a ride you liked better?

How about removing a leaf?

Lacking more info of the sort described above, IMO no one can make a meaningful comment on that notion which would be specifically applicable to you.

 

[Str8Shooter]

I'll tell you what I do to make my ride quality better. I enter the navigation option screen and select "Avoid 4x4 roads". However, when I decide I want to have fun and off road I'll sometimes air down, but will always deselect avoid 4x4 roads in those cases.

 

[cool rod]

I changed my shocks to Bilstein 4600s. Cost over a thousand dollars installed but made no difference, the truck still rides like a buckboard. I have a Powerboost with the tow package but not the max tow and I suspect that might be the culprit since other people say their truck rides like a dream. I had an Avalanche that really did ride like a dream.

As rough as this truck rides, overall I'm still happy with it, I don't think I could do better.

 

[oneinch]

Trucks are trucks. Trucks aren't dragsters. Put weight in the bed until you like the ride. It is that simple.

 

[Guard777]

I’m guessing you have hard sidewall tires. My stock truck rode awesome. It was impressive. Yesterday I swapped to Nitto Recon Grapplers. My ride is no longer smooth.

 

[SCTYDOG]

You can try replacing the stock shackles with the Sulastic rubber shackles. The super duty benefit best, but the F150 will to.

 

[Snakebitten]

Bilstein 4600 series shocks.. nuff said

Scroll up.
He installed 4600's and "made no difference" ??

I admit that was an unexpected response.

 

[FORDTEXAS]

Scroll up.
He installed 4600's and "made no difference" ??

I admit that was an unexpected response.

different user than OP. on the other end.. i’m surprised @cool rod didn’t experience a positive change. consider changing to 5100’s series shocks then. they are more beefy than the 4600’s series shocks.

 

[Buyer2021]

Scroll up.
He installed 4600's and "made no difference" ??

I admit that was an unexpected response.

different user than OP. on the other end.. i’m surprised @cool rod didn’t experience a positive change. consider changing to 5100’s series shocks then. they are more beefy than the 4600’s series shocks.

Suspect that @cool rod 's 'ride' complaint isn't going to be cured by shocks with more controlled damping. I'm gonna venture a guess that his dissatisfaction is rooted in the truck's initial spring rate. IMO his "no difference" comment is a hint of that.

the truck still rides like a buckboard

__________________

The nuances of 'ride complaints' is why I asked for more info from the OP. Different folks have different perceptions and priorities, IMO it's dangerous to assume what a person really means when they make a general complaint (or compliment) about "ride".

 

[sbreech]

My first thought is, "It's a truck."

After that, I have to wonder if the OP expects it to ride like a 2000 Grand Marquis or what he expects. If he wants it to "ride softer and float like a boat" he is not going to get that with a truck. Does he use his truck like a truck or like a status? That makes a difference. I know a lot of folks that have zero real need for a "truck" besides they like how they look.

All that said, however, I have 20 inch wheels on mine with the factory tires, and it rides VERY nicely. I actually thought that it rode a little too soft / boaty, so I generally keep my tires at 40 pounds and swapped out the shocks for Fox 2.0, which makes a slightly more rigid ride, but also a more controlled ride, as the faster rebound of the shocks keep the tires on the ground better. This truck, even with that done, still rides better than our Volvo S60 or Jag E Pace (and we can haul a lot of Sh...stuff.)

 

[Snakebitten]

This is my 5th F150 in a decade, and I often hand them down to family members, so the family fleet has 6 or 7 of them ranging from 2012-2022.
They all came under damped for my taste. Not a complaint on smooth tarmac, of course, but pretty obvious the first time you traverse anything with sharp edges like railroad tracks and potholes.

A few of them were upgraded to Bilstein 5100's and I never felt it was a subtle improvement. Great value equation considering the price.
Even a set of Rancho 9000(?) adjustable made a great difference, and they were inexpensive too.

My 2018 I sprung for Fox 2.5 DSC on all 4 corners. When you get to that build point you experience just how well an F150 can be made to behave.

My main point being is that the oem dampers are great for test drives on really nice roads. Lol

 

[redline]

What tires are you running… the wrong tires can make it ride like crap …

 

[Bandit Heeler]

I’m guessing you have hard sidewall tires. My stock truck rode awesome. It was impressive. Yesterday I swapped to Nitto Recon Grapplers. My ride is no longer smooth.

What size did you get? P metric or LT? I have a post about them.

Sponsored