I find that I keep comparing my '18 XLT 4x4 Crew Cab Sport to my old 2006 Silverado because that's the last truck I owned and I loved my truck. I need help with understanding things on the Ford side. My Silverado was a crew cab Z71 4x4. The Z71 had heavier shocks and skid plates, like the FX4. I upgraded the shocks to Bilstein's all the way around and cranked the torsion bars to level the truck. It road very smoothly and was firm on corners, much like a large sports car.

The XLT seems softer around corners. Granted, I didn't buy the FX4 version, but is there something different in the springs between the FX4 and the non FX4? The shocks shouldn't affect body roll, but is there something else the FX4 has that the non FX4 doesn't that will make it corner flatter? Will replacing the stock shocks with Bilstein 5100s do anything for the handling, or will they just affect the ride quality. Do I need a sway bar? I like the way the Silverado handled for all those years and I would like to stiffen the XLT to be similar, or better. Any advice is appreciated.

 

Many people add Bilsteins and say the handling is better. But you are correct, shocks shouldn't have much effect on body roll. You are probably going to want to add a rear sway bar to get your desired result.

 

Soft roll control is necessary for traction off road so the FX4 or other off road components are heading the wrong way. In fact, many disconnect the sway bar for off road use. If you want flat cornering a matched set of front and rear bars will go a long way, but they will hurt off road performance. I would suggest upgrading with a matched set to keep good balance. You will get flatter corner with just a rear bar but that will induce more oversteer. Just a bigger front bar will increase understeer. A full set designed for good balance is best.

 

 

Want to get rid of them? I love my ranchos and want to put them on the new truck. I really like being able to crank them up for towing. pm me if you want to unload them.

 

That's odd, mine on 1 float like they are blown, 5 is close to factory and 9 is perfect for towing.