I just bought a 2002 F150 Supercrew Lariat. It has aftermarket chrome 20 inch wheels and has new 7 rib tires on it. The ride is a little rough for me and bumpy. The truck has 129000 miles on it. It feels tight but a little rough riding. Question: Is this normal or would new shocks help? I havent had a Ford truck in 15 years so I cant remember what it should ride like.

 

If--if the non-stock rims have very low profile tires such as 45 +/-, your ride will be a bit tough because the tire side wall does not have enough flex compliance to take up road surface irregularities.
When these low profile tires are used, you have to give up something just for the flash and looks of low profile.
The stock suspension is not tuned to use them.
Tire side wall compliance is part of the total suspension.
Just shocks alone can't make up for this.
If you were to increase compliance by lowereing air pressure, you would be running on the rims such that there would be little total side wall travel if a hole were to be hit..
Good luck.

 

If you do change shocks don't buy a stiffer shock than stock. It will just make it ride rougher. I just don't like the ride of big low profile tires. They look good but they ride like crap. Buy a set of 16 or 17 inch wheels & tires in a 75 to 60 profile & get the ride back. My 97 F150 was the best riding F150 I ever owned. It had 285/60 /16 tires & Monroe shocks.

 

My tires are not low profile. I am starting to think that in addition to shocks/struts that I may need new ball joints or something because I am having to steer one way or the other to stay in my lane. Not bad but constant.

 

BTW. My tires are 20 inch, 195 tall I think and 55 wide.

 

Brand new Hankook tires.

 

what weight rating if heavy will ride rough
tire presure ? lower it ?
my ball joints got stiff checked them 4 times because of same thing with steering everything tight
think I read something here about not always getting loose when going bad