I love the "look" but either the level or Trails are killing my ride
06-13-2014, 11:12 AM
#21
Beer Gut Extraordinaire
For such an expensive truck, it's surprising how low rent the stock shocks are. I've been progressively upgrading my suspension, and just by doing a $200 Bilstein upgrade in the rear I can tell you how awesome it made the truck feel. Yeah, it's stiffer than stock but it's a good kind of stiffer. Nice, tight and responsive feel in the city and a smoother and responsive feel on the highway. Don't even get me started on towing! So much nicer. I plan to get the new [MENTION=156426]F150Lifts.com[/MENTION] Boss coilover setup to ditch the factory garbage and once I get 10 ply tires I'm sure it will ride even better. Like many others here, I like the tight and responsive feel but that doesn't mean I want to get the **** beaten out of me, my truck and my passengers.
Coilovers are very expensive. But like cigars, you get what you pay for. By opting for the cheap leveling spacers on top of cheap stock struts, you will always be punishing yourself with a crappy ride. Just one of those things.
Hell, when I leveled my old truck I did it with the Rancho Quicklift w/stock rear. Even for a more low-priced coilover, it too made a big difference. The truck rode awesome in the front, but every time I went over an expansion joint the rear jumped and crab-walked about 3 feet sideways and I had to counter steer. Terrible, terrible stock shocks.
Coilovers are very expensive. But like cigars, you get what you pay for. By opting for the cheap leveling spacers on top of cheap stock struts, you will always be punishing yourself with a crappy ride. Just one of those things.
Hell, when I leveled my old truck I did it with the Rancho Quicklift w/stock rear. Even for a more low-priced coilover, it too made a big difference. The truck rode awesome in the front, but every time I went over an expansion joint the rear jumped and crab-walked about 3 feet sideways and I had to counter steer. Terrible, terrible stock shocks.
06-13-2014, 11:20 AM
#22
Yeah, I put RS9000s in the rear of my truck recently and it made a huge difference in the way the truck rode. I think the OEM rear shocks are horrible for most people if you daily drive your truck every day, not pulling a trailer, etc. The amount of sway they give is insane. I was really considering a Hellwig sway bar in the rear, didn't really want one because I like to go offroad. After adding these I've got no desires to even think about the sway bar now for how I drive, etc.
06-13-2014, 11:27 AM
#23
Man I really have zero complaints about the ride of my truck after level and 35s. The rear end tends to bounce around but it seems the same as when it was stock. Does my off-road package have different shocks?
06-13-2014, 11:30 AM
#24
Senior Member
What settings do you run your Ranchos? I think I started with 5 on all of them, but might change that when I go back to the shop to have some post leveling tweaks/tuner/block installed.
According to Ford.
4x4 "Off-Road" decal
3.73 electronic-locking rear-axle
•
Skid plates: fuel tank, transfer case and front differential
•
Off-Road tuned shock absorbers (front and rear)
•
4x4 "Off-Road" decal
Last edited by SteveLord; 06-13-2014 at 11:33 AM.
06-13-2014, 11:35 AM
#25
Senior Member
Not a normal complainer. I have had lots of heavy duty trucks, lifted, leveled, etc. I put a 2" AS and 3" rear block on my FX4 7K miles ago. I added aftermarket wheels and 295 Trails. Even running 38 psi, the ride is ridiculously unsettled. I hit bad spots on the interstate and the truck hits hard and gets bumpsteer out the wazoo. Mind you, the past winter destroyed our roads. The ride is very unsettled and harsh. To top it off, the doors sound like they are going to fall off along with the door panels. Like I said, I have owned lifted and leveled trucks and this is by far the worst handling on rough (paved) roads. The Trails have been fabulous otherwise. Wearing perfect, balanced better than the SRA's from the factory, great in rain, mud, snow, etc.
So, do those of you with similar setups have similar experiences? Is it likely the downside of such a heavy tire? Did the level induce that much bumpsteer? The truck literally bounces sideways in a turn on the interstate. Towing definitely stabilizes the ride. I have 26K on the truck. I knew I would sacrifice ride quality but this is a little extreme. Seems everyone has a leveled F150. I am thinking the Trails may just be too much for my normal drive but I was limited when I bought tires as I wanted the 295's and there aren't too many choices. Again, I am not a whiner. Not looking for sympathy. I need to fix whatever is wrong.
So, do those of you with similar setups have similar experiences? Is it likely the downside of such a heavy tire? Did the level induce that much bumpsteer? The truck literally bounces sideways in a turn on the interstate. Towing definitely stabilizes the ride. I have 26K on the truck. I knew I would sacrifice ride quality but this is a little extreme. Seems everyone has a leveled F150. I am thinking the Trails may just be too much for my normal drive but I was limited when I bought tires as I wanted the 295's and there aren't too many choices. Again, I am not a whiner. Not looking for sympathy. I need to fix whatever is wrong.
06-13-2014, 12:51 PM
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
so THIS is what im feeling???
im glad i clicked on this thread. my '13 FX4 is leveled from the dealer. they installed 33X12.50X20 Toyo MT's (i think E rated). im runnin around 50 PSI. when i hit a rough spot on the freeway (70 MPH) the rear end drifts to the side. I hate it and have always thought it didnt feel right.
im glad i clicked on this thread. my '13 FX4 is leveled from the dealer. they installed 33X12.50X20 Toyo MT's (i think E rated). im runnin around 50 PSI. when i hit a rough spot on the freeway (70 MPH) the rear end drifts to the side. I hate it and have always thought it didnt feel right.
06-13-2014, 04:27 PM
#27
Senior Member
EXACTLY! This is what I have. I hit some bumps on I77 and literally make sure no one is near me as the truck bounces over to the side. It feels like I have basketballs on all 4 corners. I like the benefits of 10 ply tires and love the performance of the Trail Grapplers. Looks like I need to order me some shocks.... I don't mind a "rough ride" per say. Its a truck with heavy mud tires. But, I would like composure when it hits a bump. It reminds me of our Dodge "Snow Chief" plow truck we have at work. Its a 2005 QC and has 245 75 16 10 ply tires. Everybody hates driving it as it porpoises on rough roads. Stiff as a board. Mine is the same way.