Darn Ride Quality
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 5
From: New York
Darn Ride Quality
Okay, I know it's a truck...
But here in New York, the roads are nasty and this thing rides like an old pickup full of manhole covers. Got a 2000 V-10 with new shocks and tried both the high and low recommended tire pressures. No matter what I do, I feel every pebble in the road, every tar strip and every bump. Bang!!
On a nice highway the ride is simply beautiful, but around town, WOW, it's just plain nasty.
Am I alone on this? Any suggestions?
Clemuel
But here in New York, the roads are nasty and this thing rides like an old pickup full of manhole covers. Got a 2000 V-10 with new shocks and tried both the high and low recommended tire pressures. No matter what I do, I feel every pebble in the road, every tar strip and every bump. Bang!!
On a nice highway the ride is simply beautiful, but around town, WOW, it's just plain nasty.
Am I alone on this? Any suggestions?
Clemuel
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
When I bought my 04', 6.0 PSD, 4x4 I was not real thrilled with the ride around town. About a week after I got the truck I had a 2" lift installed along w/ 305/70/16 tires & Rancho shocks all the way around. What a difference in ride, didn't even feel like the same truck. Now remember, it is a 3/4 ton truck and it's not going to ride like a Lexus.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
Could be the bump stops. Try installing SuperDuty bump stops on front (cost about $25), and consider using air lift suspension on rear axle (about $280, if you install). Both of these keep the suspension off of the bump stops. Much cheaper than a lift, and will still fit in the garage(?).
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
Originally Posted by jamesj
How did that LIFT AIR IMPROVED YOUR RIDE? Did it improved a lot or somewhat? I was thinking also of buying the LIFT AIR air bags for the front and rear.
James
James
I was surprised at how much the air lift improved the ride. The rear suspension is actually now stiffer, but because the bump stops were removed to put in the air bags, the overall ride quality has improved. I can also tow our travel trailer without running "headlights high".
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 5
From: New York
Why the Huge STops on the X?
Why did they use those huge bump stops on the front of the X anyway, instead of the smaller ones on the pickups? Cornering control?
Clem
Clem
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Heh, my 73'250 didnt even have front suspension. The frame was bent in the front which pushed the leafsprings back an inch causing the shackle to rest on frame. I thought it just had stiff shocks till I hit a speed bump at 10mph and collapsed a lifter in the 360 :P
Anyways, thats just the nature of the vehicle. Any SUV where the body runs almost the entire length of the frame will sound like it'll shake itself loose over rough terrain because the body is keeping the frame from flexing. Any bump, knock, jolt to the suspension will be transmitted to the frame and to the body where its amplified since your sitting inside a steel cage with many hinges and moving parts.
Anyways, thats just the nature of the vehicle. Any SUV where the body runs almost the entire length of the frame will sound like it'll shake itself loose over rough terrain because the body is keeping the frame from flexing. Any bump, knock, jolt to the suspension will be transmitted to the frame and to the body where its amplified since your sitting inside a steel cage with many hinges and moving parts.
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: fort worth, TX
"must do"s for better ride
I too was very dissapointed in the lousy rolling ride/handling of my 4x4 X, but did alot of research and there are things that can dramatically correct this.
1. install larger aftermarket shocks, the factory ones are way too small. The best, they say, is Bilstien brand about $65 each if you buy from Eshocks.com.
2. Add a Helwig rear sway bar. JC Whitney has them for around $165 each. Bolts on without too much trouble.
3. There's a guy, in Maryland, on another forum page that makes something called Radius Rods. These are custom made to help the rear axle "steering effect" from potholes at highway speeds. He charges about $350 for a set made for your exact X. If interested I can get you his info. But he only makes them a couple times a year, you have to send a small deposit and get on his waiting list, but I hear they are well worth it. ( I'm on the list now)
The X is a great vehicle once you get the ride fixed. I have a powerstroke diesel and can get 18 MPG if I drive on the highway at around 65 MPH with no load.
1. install larger aftermarket shocks, the factory ones are way too small. The best, they say, is Bilstien brand about $65 each if you buy from Eshocks.com.
2. Add a Helwig rear sway bar. JC Whitney has them for around $165 each. Bolts on without too much trouble.
3. There's a guy, in Maryland, on another forum page that makes something called Radius Rods. These are custom made to help the rear axle "steering effect" from potholes at highway speeds. He charges about $350 for a set made for your exact X. If interested I can get you his info. But he only makes them a couple times a year, you have to send a small deposit and get on his waiting list, but I hear they are well worth it. ( I'm on the list now)
The X is a great vehicle once you get the ride fixed. I have a powerstroke diesel and can get 18 MPG if I drive on the highway at around 65 MPH with no load.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
...Welcome bigfoot567, to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! Please read the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand this site.
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Only problem with those radius rods you speak of bigfoot567, is that he doesn't make them for lifted trucks. I'm not too sure they will do much for the ride quality. In our work trucks, we just hauled a bit more equipment/material to smooth em out. ;-)
2001 xlt EX, v10, +4" & 35's
2001 xlt EX, v10, +4" & 35's
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Well I can't speak first hand about the rods (although I too am on the build list) but from what I read from numerous owners who do have the radius rods is that they help control the steer "wander" that occurs on many Excursions. One guy even said he was inadvertently crossing the center line at times before installation of the rods.
I don't know about you guys...but avoiding a head on collision definitely improves my ride quality!
I don't know about you guys...but avoiding a head on collision definitely improves my ride quality!
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: OUTER BANKS NC
Originally Posted by bigfoot567
3. There's a guy, in Maryland, on another forum page that makes something called Radius Rods. These are custom made to help the rear axle "steering effect" from potholes at highway speeds. He charges about $350 for a set made for your exact X. If interested I can get you his info. But he only makes them a couple times a year, you have to send a small deposit and get on his waiting list, but I hear they are well worth it. ( I'm on the list now)
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Do you have a lift on the truck or is it stock?
Originally Posted by Trustee
Okay, I know it's a truck...
But here in New York, the roads are nasty and this thing rides like an old pickup full of manhole covers. Got a 2000 V-10 with new shocks and tried both the high and low recommended tire pressures. No matter what I do, I feel every pebble in the road, every tar strip and every bump. Bang!!
On a nice highway the ride is simply beautiful, but around town, WOW, it's just plain nasty.
Am I alone on this? Any suggestions?
Clemuel
But here in New York, the roads are nasty and this thing rides like an old pickup full of manhole covers. Got a 2000 V-10 with new shocks and tried both the high and low recommended tire pressures. No matter what I do, I feel every pebble in the road, every tar strip and every bump. Bang!!
On a nice highway the ride is simply beautiful, but around town, WOW, it's just plain nasty.
Am I alone on this? Any suggestions?
Clemuel