eupher

I just got a 2012 crew 4x4 with 20's and the off road package. I didn't want either option but it was what was available. Anyway, the ride is crap on the road and this will be my wife's daily driver.

Is it safe to assume that replacing the shocks can make the ride a lot smoother?

If so, what suggestions would you have for the best riding shocks for us to get?

The truck will occasionally be used to tow a 4-5k lb boat.. no other real towing or hauling... no off roading... no interest in raising/lowering the truck. We just want a great ride.

Also, if I swapped out the 20's for 18's so I could get a higher sidewall tire, would that make a noticable difference in ride quality? Would I need to change anything else on the truck if I did that, or would it just be a straight swap?

Thanks in advance.

magblue10

Look into Rancho 9000 shocks they have 9 adjustments from soft to stiff depending on what you want real nice shock but shop around for the best deal. I'm not sure on your tire issue. If you have the Pirelli I've heard nothing good about them. My bro in law swapped his out for BFG rugged terrains and said the ride is better. You can go down to 18s if you'd like. Depending on your wheels you have lots of people like the 20s so you shouldn't have a hard time getting rid of them. Also I have the stock shocks off my FX4 and would get rid of those cheap if you want them. And I could get you the chrome clad 18s as well for a nice price. Let me know.

eupher

I might give those rancho 9000's a try. I guess it would be too much to hope that someone in the DC area has the 9000's on their F150 with 20 inch wheels and would be willing to let me take a ride and see what they're like...

Yes, I do have the Pirellis. I'm guessing the ride would improve some if/when I replace them with some nice LT tires. I'm just not too excited about dropping another grand for new tires on a brand new truck.

Hopefully the shocks will make a huge difference. If not, I guess I'll look into swapping out the 20's for 18's and getting some better tires at that point.

Thanks again.

Fairlane64

Here's another vote for the Rancho RS9000XL's, I'm seriously considering getting a set for my own truck. A friend of mine has them on his GMC truck and really likes them.

ousuxndallas

Every new truck rides a bit rough. It'll break in. Plus, it's a truck, not a Cadillac.

swazispencer

I also vote for the Rancho 9000s. I had then on my truck when it had a Rancho 4" lift, and they were very smooth! Better than stock. For sure.

blackbeast_FX4

I've got bilsteins, rides way better than stock

eupher

Thanks for all the replies.

Yeah, I know it's a truck and not a Cadillac... although lots of people reviewing them want to convince you otherwise. It's just that I feel that it's a *lot* rougher than it needs to be, even being a truck. we originally looked at a super duty and eliminated it quickly based on ride. To be honest, this truck doesn't seem much better than the F250. We tested a F150 with 18's and no off road and loved the ride. This truck came in with 20's and off road... and we just took it for a quick spin around the block and didn't realize how much worse it was. Now we're trying to fix that mistake.

I'll start with the Rancho 9000's and hopefully that'll make us happy.

It might take a few weeks to get them ordered and installed, but I'll post the results when it's done.

Thanks again.

F150/4me

Also the 20 inch wheels don't help either 18 with a tire that had good side wall would soak up much more bumps than what you have

Fatmattyd

I have the factory 20's and run a set of oem 18's for winter.

I don't have the off-road shocks, but I can tell you the ride difference is noticeable between the 20's and the 18's. Granted I'm running relatively soft/squishy winters, but I would think any 18" tires would make a big difference. Probably cheaper to go with new shocks though.

If you do change the shocks and that isn't enough, I'd search ebay for some new take-off oem wheels. Based on some online tire-size comparison sites, the factory 275/55-20's are very similar to the oem size 275/65-18's. I don't believe any programming changes would be necessary for this swap. I was able to pick up a set of oem 18's on ebay for $500 shipped.

Good luck and congrats on the new truck,
-Matt