Actually I do appreciate the results of the work you did - it just seems like a subject that's been beaten to death, but maybe that's easy for me to say since I don't have a problem with vibration that's big enough to bother me. What's bugging me more right now is really my '02 Explorer (2WD) that's been at the dealer since Saturday with a broken band in the transmission at 45K miles . . . . out of warranty, of course. No abusive driving, no exotic towing (maybe 6 trips with a pop-up camper), and now I'm looking at a $1,200 repair or a $2,800 rebuilt unit. The factory rep is going to look at it tomorrow, so hopefully they will work with me on it.

Anyway, I didn't mean to belittle the info you provided, Fanfare, I just have to wonder what people's expectations are for a full-frame truck that's primary purpose is to perform heavy work, not to convey passengers in luxury. It just might vibrate a little, but I don't hear any complaints about load capability, and very few about towing capacity.

 

there are a few issues here that are getting mixed together. the vibration as a function of speed is a drivetrain issue, and the steering wheel nibble a function of the sensitivity of the new rack and pinion steering.

the issue discussed here is what is called in the auto industry as vehicle NVH, or Noise, vibration and harshness. Ford has NVH engineers. that is thier sole job., To evaluate, measure and facilitate the optimization of the vehicle NVH performance. they evaluate vehicles not at a component levels, but at a vehicle performance level. this truck with it's 9 times stiffer frame (9 times stiffer than the 2003, and about 10% stiffer than the Dodge, their benchmark when designing) happens to have a first node natural frequency that aligns with small bumps/potholes/repair spots in the road at speeds near 30-50mph
. I would speculate that the NVH engineers were/are aware of this characteristic but may have had management override suggestions to dampen or reduce the frame stiffness (and natural frequency) because the marketing value of "stiffest 1/2ton frame" was more critical.. just my speculation. There are always tradeoffs in the deisgn process that many times frustrate engineers because their area of contribution to the vehicle design is compromized to improve another. that is the job of the vehicle chief engineers and ultimately the vehice program manger (usually and engineer by training) to evaluate all options and make the decisions.

anyway, there needs to be a fix to either alter the natural frequency or significantly dampen it. the suspended mass is their minimal cost quick solution for the time being while they evaluate alternative designs that take time to validate, and expensive tool changes to implement.

this NVH issue in my truck is so annoying on my drive to/from work that it frustrates me. I need to get the dampner and see how much it helps. However tire pressure does affect the condition.

however, there are many improvement that i appreciate as well, one was the mention of stabiilty in cross wind. some of these vehicle traits have significant engineering efforts put into them but many consumers are unaware. they just like the way the vehicle drives, but may not really know why they like it or what one thing they like....


just my personal opinions. off the soap box

Ramb

 

RAM: I would be aware of a vibration, if there was one. In fact this truck is the smoothest riding truck that I have ever been in.....In fact I have to catch myself to slow down when I going over 100mph. That is how smooth this truck rides.

I thought there was a speed limiter to keep me going that fast.

 

I am betting the band is your "overdrive" band, that is what everyone tends to wear out because of driving in town at speeds under 45 in overdrive. Keep it locked in 3rd at city speeds where it will run at 1:1 ratio. That will keep the converter locked most of the time and save wear on it, the O/D band, and have less heat build up in the trannie.. My friend went 240,000 miles on his Town car and never did more than flush the trannie every 50k, never a problem.

 

I heard there is something from FORD coming out on Oct 21st. Maybe something to do with Cab mounts??? anyone else heard this?

 

Doesn't every moving vehicle have "some" level of vibration? All I can say is this is the smoothest truck I've ever driven. I've had people compare it to a hovercraft or gliding on ice. I'll see what happens as it ages and when I do some mods or change tires.

 

Our supercrew lariat doesn't have any vibrations while driving but the truck does jostle over the small bumps. One think I noticed is that if you look at the bed of the truck through your side mirror you can see the bed vibrate over the bumps. I noticed this right away and thought it was abnormal. Our F-350 doesn't do this.

Corey

 

blkfordf....... heck you have the longest logon name of anybody

I agree the truck is super smooth on the highway, and the quietness of the ride contributes to that perception..... it is the rural small bump roads at 30-40 that are the killer for my supercrew. if I ride in my buddies avalanche it rides smooth as silk due to the body and box being one ( like a chopped off tahoe) no box bounce (like polaris800 mentioned) on his chevy but it also rides like a grandpas truck too with the soft dampened shocks. the other buddies dodge is stiff, but does not resonate like mine. they all mentioned something when we take mine to lunch.

I've said this a few times, but i need to instrument my truck and measure the vibration with an accellerometer. then we will have data to discuss.

Ramb

 

RAM: The person who drives a Plastic Avalanche with the 4' bed, I would not be comparing that with a F150. They thing hurts my eyes. Maybe an SUV.

I would venture to say that it is the road, not the truck.

 

I noticed my truck was idleing a little hard and causing some vibs about 2 nights ago. Maybe I was trying to pay attention to vibs becuase this morning I didn't feel anything. I know what the mind can do, especially after reading all the vib issues here, so I try not to pay attention to WOAH LOOK OUT FOR THAT 18 WHEELER! haha, ok anyway.. It's a little bouncy through small bumps and this being my frist truck I owned, I feel its normal. I don't complain, neither does my girlfriend or anyone whose taken a ride in my truck. I've taken it up to 95MPH and I can't believe how smooth the ride is. I agree with blkFRD that the road has a lot do with it. I know theirs some people out there that have genuine vib issues then the ones they think have vib issues. No complains here at 3700 miles.

 

I'll second the motion about smoothest truck I've ever driven... much better than my wife's '01 EB Expy with the LLS.

I DO HAVE the spray-in bedliner... Reflex: real thick, real rubbery.

OK, and I had less than 600 miles on my truck when I had to redeploy back to Iraq... but until then, I couldn't BELIEVE the ride quality.

When do these vibration problems start? I can't imagine anyone buying the truck if it vibrated right off the lot.

 

When you start focusing on every little squeak inside the cabin (during the day/or night driving), when you hit a pot hole in the road and wonder why it bounced, when you turn on the air compressor and you heard the compressor click on, when you step on the accelerator real hard and the truck surged forward, and when you wake up in cold sweats at night thinking that about all the things your truck was doing the day before. Finally, test drive all the brand trucks and you will see the new F150 is the smoothest driving truck in its class.

 

blkFRDf1504x4lar2004, well said.

 

Having been a mechanic for over 30 years I have to say the vibration is not road bumps or shocks. I noticed my trucks vibration before I found this site and thats the reason I was surfing for info. My truck (F150 Lariat limited slip) has a vibration at 40 mph this vibration is driveline related and can be felt on the gas pedal, seats, doors and steering wheel. My dealer says ford is aware and they are working on a solution. Other than 40 mph this truck is a dream to drive.

 

from previous post:

the issues I feel was originally posted here is the lack of damping of the stiff frame.

that's why this is confusing to us, ......my opinion.

Ramb