That's right, always buy Ford Heavy Duty, need to ride it like u would ride a Horse, go with it. That said, I wasn't to impressed with the way my '19 F250 was taking bumps and rough roads, almost took the steering wheel right out of my hands a couple times.....until I lowered the air pressure, could not believe the difference it made, running 60psi all around, thinking about going to 55psi. Also, my dealer replaced the steering damper, apparently there is an issue with some right off the assembly line, as u may of read on this forum.

 

Your right why try and improve the ride?

Ive prolly owned more 4x4s than 99% of the population. 10 plus jeeps (CJ5s 7s, Wranglers and a J10) 4 3/4 tons pickups, three broncos 79, 90, 94, a bronco 2, two k5s, two soild axel suburbans 84 88 (1 3/4 ton also), a scout, several f150s 78 86 2014 one 78 supercab with leafs up front and an Toyota FJ not to mention an expedition and two Tahoe’s and a 3/4 ton suburban, a 3500 Chevy all given to me for work use. I’m sure I’m missing some.

But I’m sure you have more experience with how a 4wd should ride than me.

Anyway....I let the air down as suggested by those who commented to 50/50 and it is much better. Might invest in some rancho Rs9000s later as suggested.

Thanks to those who commented to actually help.

 

There's a crazy idea out there where people will upgrade the capability of their vehicles to better suit their needs or wants. It's insane I know, but not everyone is satisfied with what some bean counter decided was the best trade off for profitability.

You can have both. If you're happy with what Ford spoon feeds you then that's cool, but I don't understand belittling those that want more and are willing to spend to get it.

 

I have the same setup. 6.2 STX with plow prep. It does ride rough on bad roads, rides fine on good roads. I also aired down the tires a bit and it helped. I like the front height and near level look of the package.

 

what helps a little bit is throw some weight in the back; try five or six 80lb tubes of sand. You can use it in the winter for plow ballast too.

 

Ditto on lowering tire pressure, huge difference. You should be able to find a chart for your tires online and it tells you what pressure's to use for total load on each tire. When I carry a big load or towing I inflate my tires back up.

As for potholes / harshness I'm a big advocate of Fox 2.0 shocks. I live down a rough dirt road (almost 7 miles) and the difference was night and day. Firmer but much less jarring (a few times I would hit washboards that would rattle and jerk the cab so much I thought the interior panels would pop off, doesn't happen anymore).

 

My 07 2500 HD was the first generation of TPMS. The dealers wouldnt change the setting. So with the tire ratings at 80 psi the damn warning went off at 70 psi. Ive been running this truck at 50 psi for years. It wasnt just the harsh ride. While running empty the tires will bounce right off the ground over rough pavement. You could easily lose traction on a curve. The TPMS set too high like that made a good idea useless. I looked at the Fox shocks. It looks like they cost too much for my blood. How about the Rancho rs 9000s? Are the Fox really that much better to warrant double the price or more?

 

Just a follow-up. In case anyone wonders my 250s tpms threshold is 50lbs factory. One tire read 49 today and the light came on. Easy fix (dealer or forescan) but thought someone would want to know the factory setting.

Also I contacted rancho due to snow plow “lift” wondering which shock they would recommend “0” lift length or their “2.5” lift length. I believe mine is about a 1.5 lift over my buddys 18 with regular springs. Rancho suggests the 0 lift shocks. Just info for the next guys.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

Chalk test..👍

 

My dad was a big off-roader he drove his rigs on the beach in NC every weekend (when you could go from VB to Corolla via Sandbridge). He ran “huge ballon” tires... 31s and 33s back in the 60s and 70s. I observed him do the chalk test....worked back then. I also remember him getting stopped because of his “big” tires....crazy how small they are now.

I spoke with a good friend of mine this week who runs a couple of tire stores he stated that your more likely to wear out the centers fully inflated and not towing. He suggests 45 or 40psi. Sees it all the time on 3/4 and 1 tons. FYI he’s also a big off-roader so he wouldn’t steer me wrong.

I wish my dad hadn’t turned me into a motorhead I’d have way more money this is what I’m doing today. Re-painting rally wheels for new tires.

 

Fox 2.0 shocks are all Aluminum body and I am pretty sure the RS9000XL's are steel. If true, you should have better heat dissipation and much less chance of corrosion (only interior components have some steel on then Fox). I have read online that some people have had issues with Ranchos, including having to do pre-work on the shock so the adjustment **** doesn't stop working and corrosion prevention (paint/clear).

If you drive on dirt / rough roads (pot holes, etc) I would strongly recommend the Fox 2.0, I also think you'd be impressed even on normal roads. i've had FX4 Ranchos on a '12 F250 and '17 F150 (and stock on '17 F250) and they were horrible and caput by a few thousand miles. The Fox 2.0 was the only shock that impressed me and significantly made a difference, the shuttering and jarring just about completely disappeared - much lower occurrence on my same route everyday (~7mi dirt road).

There are some sales going on for Easter weekend, auto anything has 21% (not sure if it applies to Ranchos or Fox.). Going online it looks like a $100-150 price difference between Fox and Rancho, maybe less, for all four shocks. My only gripe with Fox is no dust boot but i think you can buy an aftermarket. Mine have held up through our great snow melt - which makes private roads out in the wilderness (unplowed) become a quagmire with 1' deep ruts everywhere and mud almost encapsulating the underside.