Terrible Ride from Rear
03-22-2017, 12:59 PM
#171
Senior Member
I just installed 5100's all around and I find the ride is typical bilstein; I very much prefer over the stock ride. Its certainly a firmer ride, but its also much more controlled and i don't feel like the truck is trying to step out on every curve.
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tomjv (03-22-2017)
03-22-2017, 01:08 PM
#172
In short, I grew to hate my F150's ride especially after renting a Chev Silverado for 2 weeks. OMG, it's just so much better, stock . . .
My wife and I ran that thing from NY to ME and we both thought it blew away the F150, drivetrain and suspension. Ford's got the design and creature comforts, hands down tho. On the road, it's suspension was quiet and soaked up bumps surprisingly well. Around corners and lane changes, it stuck so well, it rivaled my sport sedan. I had to keep slowing down ... ENOUGH said about the Chev.
As someone said, "it's all so subjective". IMHO, the front end on my 2015 SCrew Lariat was WAY too soft. The rear was WAY under dampened. The result was excessive plowing in corners, serpentine action when braking(especially in corners) and the rear end hopping over every expansion joint on the road.
I don't want a cushy caddy ride. I prefer a stiff, truck, BMW type ride(but that's me). I achieved it with the ICONs. No brake dive. Better line holding in corners. Incredible pothole/bump absorption, and the highway lane jumping is gone. Yes, there's more feedback, not noise, vibrations or rattling, but you are aware of road surfaces/textures etc.
Anyway, I'm pretty happy with mine now. I installed ICON 2.5's all around and the Helwig(which is prolly not necessary with the ICONS). I'd recommend the CDCVs if you can afford them. I'm running the rears on "2" and may crank 'em up another notch.
I had the Foxes in the rear, and while they were a huge improvement over OEM FX4, they weren't enough for me. Again, it depends upon your taste and driving habits. My only regret is not getting the CDCVs up front. I was worried about the height(FYI, you can't run them at stock height. Only stock +2"). Turns out they're fine for me and I'm looking at upgrading my non-reservoir units.
TomJV
My wife and I ran that thing from NY to ME and we both thought it blew away the F150, drivetrain and suspension. Ford's got the design and creature comforts, hands down tho. On the road, it's suspension was quiet and soaked up bumps surprisingly well. Around corners and lane changes, it stuck so well, it rivaled my sport sedan. I had to keep slowing down ... ENOUGH said about the Chev.
As someone said, "it's all so subjective". IMHO, the front end on my 2015 SCrew Lariat was WAY too soft. The rear was WAY under dampened. The result was excessive plowing in corners, serpentine action when braking(especially in corners) and the rear end hopping over every expansion joint on the road.
I don't want a cushy caddy ride. I prefer a stiff, truck, BMW type ride(but that's me). I achieved it with the ICONs. No brake dive. Better line holding in corners. Incredible pothole/bump absorption, and the highway lane jumping is gone. Yes, there's more feedback, not noise, vibrations or rattling, but you are aware of road surfaces/textures etc.
Anyway, I'm pretty happy with mine now. I installed ICON 2.5's all around and the Helwig(which is prolly not necessary with the ICONS). I'd recommend the CDCVs if you can afford them. I'm running the rears on "2" and may crank 'em up another notch.
I had the Foxes in the rear, and while they were a huge improvement over OEM FX4, they weren't enough for me. Again, it depends upon your taste and driving habits. My only regret is not getting the CDCVs up front. I was worried about the height(FYI, you can't run them at stock height. Only stock +2"). Turns out they're fine for me and I'm looking at upgrading my non-reservoir units.
TomJV
03-22-2017, 01:57 PM
#173
2015 F150 Guy
03-22-2017, 08:27 PM
#174
I should report back that yesterday I completed the leaf swap mod outlined by @SlyFX4Guy. This is where you change the leaf spring to the -A. I haven't had much time to let it soak in, but at this point, I'm pretty sure I'm happy.
Here's how I'll explain the felt results. Before I swapped leaf springs, the rear of the truck always jarred me when hitting bumps. (The front suspension was never an issue for me.) Now, it's like the rear and front suspension match each other.
The match is so close now that I have a theory that the engineers actually made the truck w/ the -A leaf spring. Then, the managers declared they wanted higher payload capacity only had with the heaver spring...against the engineers pleads this would ruin the ride.
I should also add that I have fox shock and Roadmaster Active Suspension set to the black chip.
Cheers!
Here's how I'll explain the felt results. Before I swapped leaf springs, the rear of the truck always jarred me when hitting bumps. (The front suspension was never an issue for me.) Now, it's like the rear and front suspension match each other.
The match is so close now that I have a theory that the engineers actually made the truck w/ the -A leaf spring. Then, the managers declared they wanted higher payload capacity only had with the heaver spring...against the engineers pleads this would ruin the ride.
I should also add that I have fox shock and Roadmaster Active Suspension set to the black chip.
Cheers!
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Rambo007 (01-04-2019)
03-29-2017, 12:15 AM
#175
OK... Just installed Sulastic Shackles.
Current mods:
Hellwig Sway on middle position
1" Spacers
OK here is my review.
Its too good to be true... there has to be some downside from it. I have driven the Truck for about 30 minutes after installing it, the ride is very good now... What bothered me was when going trough uneven pavement the truck frame would feel like it was shaking all around the place (normal truck feel) and when going over speed bumps sideways the truck would move you around a lot.
This has been 80% reduced now, the rear suspensions sometimes feels like it isn't there, when going trough familiar stretches of road I am expecting the truck to shake but now it doesn´t there are actually some places where the front feels more uncomfortable than the rear. Turning has improved quite a bit as well as nose dive when braking.
Like I said there has to be a downside... its supposed to carry the same load and also the truck sits the same height... Why wouldnt Ford do it I wonder...
Great product and it really makes the truck that much more enjoyable to drive.
Thanks!
JC
Current mods:
Hellwig Sway on middle position
1" Spacers
OK here is my review.
Its too good to be true... there has to be some downside from it. I have driven the Truck for about 30 minutes after installing it, the ride is very good now... What bothered me was when going trough uneven pavement the truck frame would feel like it was shaking all around the place (normal truck feel) and when going over speed bumps sideways the truck would move you around a lot.
This has been 80% reduced now, the rear suspensions sometimes feels like it isn't there, when going trough familiar stretches of road I am expecting the truck to shake but now it doesn´t there are actually some places where the front feels more uncomfortable than the rear. Turning has improved quite a bit as well as nose dive when braking.
Like I said there has to be a downside... its supposed to carry the same load and also the truck sits the same height... Why wouldnt Ford do it I wonder...
Great product and it really makes the truck that much more enjoyable to drive.
Thanks!
JC
The following users liked this post:
Rambo007 (01-04-2019)
03-29-2017, 07:01 AM
#176
OK... Just installed Sulastic Shackles.
Current mods:
Hellwig Sway on middle position
1" Spacers
OK here is my review.
Its too good to be true... there has to be some downside from it. I have driven the Truck for about 30 minutes after installing it, the ride is very good now... What bothered me was when going trough uneven pavement the truck frame would feel like it was shaking all around the place (normal truck feel) and when going over speed bumps sideways the truck would move you around a lot.
This has been 80% reduced now, the rear suspensions sometimes feels like it isn't there, when going trough familiar stretches of road I am expecting the truck to shake but now it doesn´t there are actually some places where the front feels more uncomfortable than the rear. Turning has improved quite a bit as well as nose dive when braking.
Like I said there has to be a downside... its supposed to carry the same load and also the truck sits the same height... Why wouldnt Ford do it I wonder...
Great product and it really makes the truck that much more enjoyable to drive.
Thanks!
JC
Current mods:
Hellwig Sway on middle position
1" Spacers
OK here is my review.
Its too good to be true... there has to be some downside from it. I have driven the Truck for about 30 minutes after installing it, the ride is very good now... What bothered me was when going trough uneven pavement the truck frame would feel like it was shaking all around the place (normal truck feel) and when going over speed bumps sideways the truck would move you around a lot.
This has been 80% reduced now, the rear suspensions sometimes feels like it isn't there, when going trough familiar stretches of road I am expecting the truck to shake but now it doesn´t there are actually some places where the front feels more uncomfortable than the rear. Turning has improved quite a bit as well as nose dive when braking.
Like I said there has to be a downside... its supposed to carry the same load and also the truck sits the same height... Why wouldnt Ford do it I wonder...
Great product and it really makes the truck that much more enjoyable to drive.
Thanks!
JC
Did you install them yourself? Could you provide the cliff notes of what you did to install them and any difficulties you ran into?
03-29-2017, 07:23 AM
#177
2015 F150 Guy
". My only regret is not getting the CDCVs up front. I was worried about the height(FYI, you can't run them at stock height. Only stock +2"). Turns out they're fine for me and I'm looking at upgrading my non-reservoir units. "
Additional ICON 2.5 info:
1. They come in three configurations; basic, remote reservoirs, RR + CDCV
All three use the same basic strut/spring. Then they add the remote reservoir. Then they add the CDCV adjustment valve. What's important is, the strut has it's own set of valves. The CDCV adds another set of valves which you can use to crank up the dampening at will. It only takes a second and requires no tools or crawling on the ground. IMHO, if you're going for the reservoirs, go for the CDCV. In fact, just go for the CDCV . . .
2.Upgrades - ICON proudly says you can send your units in for service or UPGRADES at any time. Not entirely true. I bought the basic units thinking I could always send them in and add the reservoirs and CDCV. EHHH! Oh, you CAN do it, but due to the configuration of Ford F150 top shock mount, ICON had to use all different parts, inside and out, to make the units fit properly, so much so, that it's basically the same price to buy an entire new set rather than do the upgrade.
It's really frustrating that the people who make, sell and service these things DON'T KNOW THEIR PRODUCTS. I only found this out after SEVERAL CALLS to ICON. I finally must have gotten someone on the phone who knows what he's talking about. Three other popular sales/service places(commonly recommended here-in) swore it was "no problem".
TomJV
Additional ICON 2.5 info:
1. They come in three configurations; basic, remote reservoirs, RR + CDCV
All three use the same basic strut/spring. Then they add the remote reservoir. Then they add the CDCV adjustment valve. What's important is, the strut has it's own set of valves. The CDCV adds another set of valves which you can use to crank up the dampening at will. It only takes a second and requires no tools or crawling on the ground. IMHO, if you're going for the reservoirs, go for the CDCV. In fact, just go for the CDCV . . .
2.Upgrades - ICON proudly says you can send your units in for service or UPGRADES at any time. Not entirely true. I bought the basic units thinking I could always send them in and add the reservoirs and CDCV. EHHH! Oh, you CAN do it, but due to the configuration of Ford F150 top shock mount, ICON had to use all different parts, inside and out, to make the units fit properly, so much so, that it's basically the same price to buy an entire new set rather than do the upgrade.
It's really frustrating that the people who make, sell and service these things DON'T KNOW THEIR PRODUCTS. I only found this out after SEVERAL CALLS to ICON. I finally must have gotten someone on the phone who knows what he's talking about. Three other popular sales/service places(commonly recommended here-in) swore it was "no problem".
TomJV
03-29-2017, 07:56 AM
#178
As for the install I payed a mechanic to do it but it took less than an hour for both sides with a lift.
JC
03-29-2017, 09:03 AM
#179
OK... Just installed Sulastic Shackles.
Current mods:
Hellwig Sway on middle position
1" Spacers
OK here is my review.
Its too good to be true... there has to be some downside from it. I have driven the Truck for about 30 minutes after installing it, the ride is very good now... What bothered me was when going trough uneven pavement the truck frame would feel like it was shaking all around the place (normal truck feel) and when going over speed bumps sideways the truck would move you around a lot.
This has been 80% reduced now, the rear suspensions sometimes feels like it isn't there, when going trough familiar stretches of road I am expecting the truck to shake but now it doesn´t there are actually some places where the front feels more uncomfortable than the rear. Turning has improved quite a bit as well as nose dive when braking.
Like I said there has to be a downside... its supposed to carry the same load and also the truck sits the same height... Why wouldnt Ford do it I wonder...
Great product and it really makes the truck that much more enjoyable to drive.
Thanks!
JC
Current mods:
Hellwig Sway on middle position
1" Spacers
OK here is my review.
Its too good to be true... there has to be some downside from it. I have driven the Truck for about 30 minutes after installing it, the ride is very good now... What bothered me was when going trough uneven pavement the truck frame would feel like it was shaking all around the place (normal truck feel) and when going over speed bumps sideways the truck would move you around a lot.
This has been 80% reduced now, the rear suspensions sometimes feels like it isn't there, when going trough familiar stretches of road I am expecting the truck to shake but now it doesn´t there are actually some places where the front feels more uncomfortable than the rear. Turning has improved quite a bit as well as nose dive when braking.
Like I said there has to be a downside... its supposed to carry the same load and also the truck sits the same height... Why wouldnt Ford do it I wonder...
Great product and it really makes the truck that much more enjoyable to drive.
Thanks!
JC
03-29-2017, 09:42 AM
#180
Senior Member
I've ready many of the pages in this thread (but admit not all, it's gotten pretty big), but is there an agreed upon combo from factory that results in a good ride? I can't believe that with all the combos available on the F-150, none of them provide a good ride without hopping. I want to get a 2017, but don't want to have to mess around with modifications.
Thank you!
Thank you!
