I just traded in my 2016 F150 XLT crew cab 5.0L due to engine problems. I bought a 2022 F150 STX crew with a 2.7L . I really like the truck but it is not as stable as the 2016 was. What I mean to say is that it kinda dips and sways like a boat on rough roads where my old truck was much more stable. If I open the door and push the cab to get the truck swaying back and forth it rolls back and forth at least 3 times. Seems like the shocks are blown, or very weak but there is no sign of oil leakage from them. The truck has 20K mile on it.

Is the 2022 know for weak springs ??

 

It's not so much the springs, it's the junk shocks Ford puts on at the factory. Invest in some Fox or better, and enjoy the truck. Yours with 20K miles wouldn't be the first.

 

OK, the Fox 2.0 set is about $1300. Thats gonna hurt.
Question, it says 0-2" front height adjustment but cranking up on the spring preload adjustment is also gonna make it stiffer, right? Isnt there a 2" lift spacer that could be used instead? If so, is that compatible with the fox shocks?

 

I think it would increase the stiffness a bit, then again, any good shock/coilover will too, but you gain a lot in handling and control, including less body roll. The ride doesn't become uncomfortable for most. Hey, here I am at 73, with a 3" level with HaloLift Alumas, and I don't feel it's objectionable at all.
Yes, you could dial the Fox down to 0 level, and add a spacer, I've done that myself, no big deal. Mine was done with the celebrated Bilstiens on the second notch, and a 11/2" spacer on top, zero trouble, and still rode nicely.
The Bilsteins setup like I mentioned would be a cheaper option, but more labor intensive to install, so depending on labor costs, you might be within a couple 100 $.
Plus the Bilstieins have a very poor finish on them, and if you live around winter salt/brine, they look like crap after a winter.

 

Good info John. Thanks. .....is the experience your speaking about with the lighter 2.7L suspension or regular V8 8000GVWR?
What did you use for Bilsteins because the 5100 sets I am seeing don't come with springs. Im thinking reusing existing may not do much for me??

The Bilstein 5100's are about $800 for the set. I would put them on myself so that would save me about $500.

Sorry for all of the questions but here's where I stand.
Point 1 - im cheap
Point 2 - every time in the past I have tried to put lipstick on a pig to make it something it wasn't designed to be, it has cost me money for almost no return.

 

Zero problem, you're welcome.
I think many guys forget to add the labor in with those Bilsteins. You have to break down the OEM shock, using a spring compressor, then reassemble with the Bilstein shock. Not that you can't use a spring compressor in your own garage, but geez, the thought of these compressors most guys rent or buy, are pretty cheap, luckily I haven't heard of any guys getting injured, but the potential is there in a very big way. What I've done in the past, was take the truck apart and have a shop disassemble/reassemble with a good compressor. Made me feel better. The added labor on my own part, and running to a shop, was about $250, 7 years ago, so you know that cost has increased.
You will notice better handling, even with using your OEM springs. I will say, the Bilsteins do exactly as advertised.
But what I really like about using a completely new coilover, is new springs come with them, basically a plug/play install, faster and safer than the Bilsteins.
My truck is a 5.0 with the standard payload package, the coilovers, or even if you go Bilstein, you'll notice much better handling and control, and just enough stiffness you may appreciate, I know I do.

 

I just traded in a 2016 with a 5.0L, I thought that handled great. It was stable and solid but handled bumps very well without dipping and rolling. It didnt even occur to me that Ford would do this to the next gen trucks.

I agree on the labor. I have a set of spring compressors and have used them several times and its always a little sketchy.

Right now I'm thinking Fox 2.0's with the front springs included, and then a 2" spacer. I just gotta chew on that a while before I drop the money down.

 

From what I understand, and driving my brothers '21 SCrew for a few days, the 14th gens have had a little improvement from the 13th. It still felt mushy to me as far as far handling, but my '20 isn't OEM.
I think you'd do well with those Fox and a spacer.

 

That seems to be the consensus.

Thank you Sir, I appreciate your advice.

 

dont install the spacers with the fox shocks. it will be too long of an assembly and you'll over extend the uca ball joints. also install will be an absolute pain. install the fox 2.0's as theyre set from fox and make small adjustments from there. for the money, those little 2" shock body coilovers are amazing. Did 2 sets on f150's and it turned out great.

 

I didn't think it worth mentioning, but I assumed the OP would be lowering the collar on the Fox coilovers so he would still be where he wanted with the spacer.

 

over all length will still be too long IMHO. but yea you do have a good point with IFS setups. we only have x amount of travel, leveling kits/shock swaps to change ride height just changes how much down travel you have left. too much lift and youll have 1" of down travel giving you that horrendous ride.

 

I had a 2017 3.5 with Bilsteins set on the next to bottom groove, .71" I think the lift was. I got a great deal on some Raptor takeoffs, and needed to get the frontend up for clearance. I didn't have my new set of coilovers yet, but, I did have a 1.5" spacer sitting there. So, I stuck the spacer in. I get what you're saying about the length, but I had no trouble getting things back together. The thing still rode very nicely
I've done quite a few levels on my own trucks, and some of the local redneck kids, and always recommend coilovers. The kids don't have a lot of money, so they always go the lesser cost way with the spacers. Some of them come back after a few months, with a brand new pair of Fox 2.0's. LOL

 

Sorry for the late followup. I ended up going with the Fox kit. Coilovers to raise the front 2" and Fox shocks on the back.
I LOVED the new stability. It felt like a different truck. The back seemed just a bit too stiff actually. If I did it again I would only buy the front coilovers and raise it 2" but leave the rear stock shocks.

 

Try taking out your factory 1” rear block, and put in 2” or 2.5” blocks. The shocks will then be in a more neutral travel position and will likely ride better.