No, no, no...sorry if I wasn't clear. My stock wheel and stock tire (Hankook 275/55-20) weighed 69.5 lbs. I am over that weight now with the Nitto's. Have not weighed the combo that is on the truck. I'm guessing that my stock wheels were about 28 lbs? I believe my Nitto's are 4 lbs heavier than stock, so I should be in the 74 lb area now.

I think my truck is some kind of freak with how much it was lifted at the 1.75" setting.

What are the spec's of your truck? Tow/payload packages? Etc? Have any pics? Should look great with your setup. Sorry that the ride isn't tolerable.

I'm wondering if my truck is heavier which is making the suspension ride softer?

 

Honestly, without looking at the window sheet I can’t answer 100 percent. Tow capacity was 7,000, it’s 3.5 EB, 4x4. It’s geared horrible, 331 I believe. Super crew loaded XLT. Should be close to the same weight. I’ve got the big touchscreen, flow through console, 10 spd trans, power everything. I added the tow brake controller but it’s got the hitch, rear locker, 7/4 pin hookup, tow screen but didn’t come with the controller since I added a stock one.

ill get some pics in the morning. I love the look of the truck, just slightly disappointed in the feel, I’ll get it worked out though.

 

100lbs is not a crazy amount of weight for an off-road rim and tire. When I had my nnbs Chevy 20’s and 33/12.5 were 103lbs

If if you don’t like the ride you don’t like the ride. Buy something else or put the stock back on.

 

I’m sure there is a little variance between the styles but everything I’ve read seems to indicate right at 80 pounds, give or take a couple, for the weight of the stock 20” wheel and 275/55/20 combo. I went from that setup to my current setup, which I know weighs 86 pounds, and noticed zero difference in ride or power for that matter. I don’t think 90-95 pounds of wheel and tire is anything crazy for these trucks.

Regardless, you already had the wheels and tires on and you were still happy with the ride until the Bilsteins. That tells me your dislike lies in the Bilsteins. They are very popular and generally well liked but you aren’t the first person to not care for the ride. The only question I would be trying to answer is whether it’s in the front or the back or both. Simplest, cheapest test...if you still have them, put your stock shocks back on the rear and see what happens and go from there.

 

 

I know the cab / bed, even trim configuration contributes to the ride. That being said I have a Screw HDPP with 6.5 (157" WB) truck. I still have the stock HDPP wheels with Wrangler Advantage load range C tires. I read all the posts about the rear being soft and letting road imperfects through as well as skipping over bumps. Some claim there is no difference in the shocks installed but I'm not quit sure about that. My OEM have the same part numbers with a different letter at the end. This might suggest some variation in damping / valving?
I had the Bilstein shocks already when I took delivery of my truck. I drove it for a few months with the OEM shocks all around, even towing my trailer a couple times. I wasn't experiencing what others were and really didn't think they were bad. Because I was under the truck installing the sway bar and liners I went ahead and put the 5100 shocks on the rear. I didn't feel much difference in ride until I hooked up my trailer. The porpoising that had been going on over dips and rises was all but gone.The rear had better control. The fronts I left because I was having issues with the steering (pull / drift compensation) that I wanted to get ironed out first. About a month ago I pulled the trigger and had the front 5100s put on (first setting above stock height) with a GOOD alignment. That is where I really felt a difference. The front rides more firmly but feels so much more planted and gives better feedback and control. I've yet to try towing with the new front set up and shocks but I think I'll be happy with the change.

 

Mark, truck looks great!

I have to think this is just a difference in tastes. You said in the first post that you were looking for "Cadillacy" or something to that affect. The Bilstein's are definitely not that feel. They are stock equipment on sport BMW's so that is more their market. That also happens to work well for towing when you want to minimize sway.

A soft, offroad type suspension may be more what you are after. Just remember though that those types of suspensions aren't so great at towing. Look at tow ratings on the Raptor or any Jeep.

 

Definitely something wrong. My truck rides and handles incredible after the swap.

 

Pretty much everybody, even those who say the Bilsteins ride "better", say they are firmer. It may be a matter of taste along with local road conditions.

I know that on our poor roads around here, especially this time of year, my FX4 shocks ride like absolute crap. I'm guessing at high speeds, with high loads, or on good roads the Bilsteins would improve things. But I doubt I would be happy with them on broken potholed pavement.

It would be nice to see some opinions of people with shocks that are closer to OEM but somewhat better quality, like Monroe and KYB. KYB used to be my go-to for most vehicles. I put Monroe Reflex in a minivan and those were horrible, harsh on small stuff and wallowy on big stuff. Kind of like my FX4 shocks.

 

I appreciate all the input and suggestions.

Things i am going to do:

-Getting the wheels and tires road force balanced...just to make sure nothings wrong with wheels and tires (they are both warrantied against defects)
-Ill play around with the tire PSI but like i said, im running what the manufacturer recommends and its verified by chalk test.
-If none of that helps, ill switch the back shocks out with Fox 2.0 per Stage 3's recommendation
-If that helps but doesnt 100 percent satisfy me, ill switch the fronts out as well