benhar

So not sure if these are the best words to describe it, but one of my few complaints about my new truck (2016 2WD SCREW Lariat w/ Sport appearance) is that it rocks pretty bad when driving in our neighborhood, a 25 MPH zone. It's a new development, and there are still humps and bumps in the road from repairs and man-holes.


I'm not faulting the truck, I know to an extent it's the nature of the beast. I'm also coming from a '12 Mazda6 so I'm used to not feeling it. Just wondering if there's anything I can do to mitigate it, especially before my 8-month pregnant wife strangles me for it. Her '13 Pathfinder takes it like a champ (though to be fair I think those are car frames now), and it also doesn't seem as noticeable in my company truck, a '13 F150 XL. So I've been assuming it was any combination of the thinner tires, not-yet-broken-in suspension, or maybe some "upgrades" the Lariat suspension may have (haven't really researched if there are any differences there).


Anyway, does anyone have any thoughts?

TexasRedfish

I'm going to make the assumption when you say "rocking" you mean the rear end kicks out a lot? Bounces everywhere? If so, that is a common complaint. Most people here changed out their rear shocks to address that issue. Common shocks: Bilsteins, Fox, etc.

Feathermerchant

I noticed mine rock with a load in it. I replaced the rear shocks with Fox and no more rock.

benhar

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess by rocking I mean it bounces us around. I usually ignore it but do get passenger complaints.

Any specific shock recommendations? I don't off-road aside from occasional camp trip, and rarely tow.

RLXXI

Check the air pressure in your tires, they could be over inflated.
.

acdii

Yep, thats one of the complaints I have with mine. went from a 14 RWD same cab and bed to a 16 and the 14 road oh so much nicer than the 4WD. Can't wait until I can replace the shocks, provided Ford can fix the vibration!

benhar

What stinks is the the bigger wheels that came with mine likely aren't helping, and they weren't something I was looking for, it just seemed that every single Lariat Sport I saw had them. They look good and all, but think at this point I would have preferred having the bigger sidewalls, assuming that's contributing to the issue.

Think I'll research the Bilstein 5100's a bit. If something like that will reduce the bouncing, the upgrade cost will be worth it to me.

acdii

The more sidewall, the more it can contribute to a mushy bounce. The short sidewall 20's tend to hit the bumps harder, with less squish. Sidewalls flex up and out, and that can make the tread move sideways in relation to the rim, and that is the shimmy that is felt. This is why some people complain about a harsh ride with 20's and not with 18's.

It's a trade off, firmer ride with harder bumps, or a softer ride with squirm. I prefer the firmer ride, the truck tends to handle better, and less likely to hop around the road when the road is really bad like they are around me. The road in front of my house is 55MPH and if you drive it at that speed right now in a high sprung vehicle like a 4x4 with large tires, you will go sideways and airborne.

My 14 I had 17" Blizzaks on it in the winter, and 20" Bridgestones in the summer and the ride difference is quite distinct, much better handling and no bounce, but the Blizzaks I could feel the truck bounce on every bump. A floating kind of bounce where the truck is going up and down on the tires not the shocks. I feel this same thing in the 16 with the large 18" LT tires, combine that with the crappy OEM shocks and its not a very smooth ride. I can't wait until I can swap the 20's. They just don't work well in wet conditions or snow.

benhar

Sorry to bring this back up, but is there a consensus on whether upgrading to Bilsteins will reduce the problem enough to be worth the expense? Would I have to upgrade the front struts too to notice a difference, or just the rear shocks?

Feathermerchant

I did no buy Bilsteins but only replaced the rear shocks (Fox 2.0) and it cured my rocking. FYI my truck is about the heaviest F150 you'll find. >6,000lb unloaded.