I have had my 17 F250 King Ranch for just 1 week now. I love love it, except I miss one thing compared to my 2015 GMC 2500 Denali - "interstate bounciness".

OK, let me be a little more specific, and give a bit of history.

I bought a 2012 Super Duty Lariat new which now has 141,000 trouble free miles on it. Most trouble free vehicle I have ever owned, period. And, great truck. I drove it the 1st 3 years myself and the entire time was not happy with the bounciness. When I bought the 15 GMC 2500 I have let one of my employees drive the 12 Super Duty the past 2 years, and 1 year ago we installed the Fox shocks. Although I have only driven it a couple times with the Fox shocks they have made a difference, in the few miles I have driven it with the Fox shocks. However, my employee who has driven the truck 20,000 miles with the OEM shocks (granted they had 120k miles on them when he started driving the 12) says the Fox shocks have made a big improvement - he says specifically the highway bounciness is virtually gone now - so that is quite hopeful.

Fast forward to the 17 Super Duty. I can already tell the 17 rides way better than the 12. However, compared to the 15 GMC 2500 it is still "bouncier" empty. It is not nearly as bad as the 2012 was, but still, the GMC is better.

Now, the 17 Super Duty has some ride advantages over the 15 GMC, it is quieter and the cab is just more insulated from the road comfort-wise. ANd, the King Ranch fit and finish is gorgeous - I feel like I am riding around in my den! I feel so incredibly pampered! However, if I am driving down a stretch of highway empty, tires inflated to the factory specs of around 60 psi, it gets bouncy when you encounter sections of a 4 lane that are typically found here in Colorado that are not perfectly flat. Also, lots of highways seem to have a rolling wave characteristic that many vehicle suspensions are able to even out. For example, I have several other vehicles (including the 15 GMC 2500) that do not develop a sine wave type bounce as they encounter these repetitive wavy areas of a highway. However, the 2012 SD would encounter these areas and "just get to bouncing" - drove me flipping crazy. The 15 GMC 2500 does not have the bouncy problem at all. The 2017 17 Super Duty has it somewhat - I would say it has it about 25% as bad as the 2012 did. Had I not been driving the 15 GMC for the past 50,000 miles the 17's bounciness might not even be enough to bother me.

I read the thread her eon this site on ride quality and everybody agrees:

1) Lower the air pressure
2) Install Fox 2.0 shocks

Well, I would need to get hooked up with the FORSCAN setup to lower the air pressure without the TPS monitor going off the handle on me - I am not opposed to doing this, but I'd rather not mess with it if I don't have to.

For those of you who have experimented with both, lowering tire pressure below 60 psi and installing Fox shocks, do you think I would have a good chance of being satisfied if I went with Fox shocks but left the tire pressures set to factory, around 60 psi?

My driving for the next year will more than likely be 95% of the time empty.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

 

Within a week of buying my 2017 F250 KR, I also grew tired of the rear axle's "bounciness." I fixed that problem when I installed Landyot radius rods on both of my Excursions years ago. Sadly, I cannot locate a similar product for a stock-height 2017 SD, and the Landyots avaialble on eBay will not fit. I also dislike the idea of lowering tire pressures. After 20-plus years of owning a variety of Ford trucks, I've concluded their door jamb stickers list tire pressures which are a bit too low. Using those pressures, I ALWAYS experienced premature tire wear along the outer edges of the tires. FYI, I am currently running 70 PSI at all four corners. Also, I have no intention of replacing my shocks yet, but if/when I do, I'll get another set of Rancho adjustables (had on my Excursions). Tried Bilsteins once, but wound up replacing them with Ranchos.

The Landyots eliminated the bounciness because they kept the rear axle in a controlled arc ... stopped them from moving fore and aft. That small fore/aft movement is the what you feel as bounciness, and is merely the rear axle reverberating as it tries to return to its normal position. Having the axle positioned far away from the leaf springs via lift blocks allows the axle more leverage to move fore/aft a small amount.

However, a separate modification I've done has reduced that bounciness a fair amount. My F250's rear axle now rides as smooth as my former 2010 F150. Granted, the bounciness is not eliminated, but it now seems to be at a tolerable level. All I did was swap out the OEM lift blocks with shorter Ford lift blocks from an earlier model. Doing such moved the axle about 1-1/4" closer to the leaf springs. That mod is discussed in the thread I've linked below, and includes a write-up I did with photos. Obviously, lowering the rear is not something that will satisfy everyone ... especially if one has already raised the front ... but it has made me a happier SD owner.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-rear-end.html

 

I loved my bilsteins on my older fords both my 17s , modified are running fox 2,o remote reservoir custom valved and perform unbelievably . my trucks ride awsom . no bounce of any sort .truck hits the bumps shock deals with it and on to next bump . I love them quite frankly . trucks ride great .

 

You can try this out right now and see for yourself. Go lower your tire pressure 10 psi. Yes, your TPMS light will come on, but just drive around with it on for a week and see how you like it.

The FOX's will definitely help, a lot in my opinion. I put my 2.5 Factory Editions on about 6 months ago and it still gives me a smile everytime I drive it. So if lower the pressure 10 psi makes you happier, I can say buying the foxes definitely will be worth it to you, as they are quite a bit better than running less PSI.

 

While the Fox shocks helped my ride, i have to say lowering my tire pressure helped the most. I did make an appropriate FORScan adjustment to avoid the light. Remember, the tire pressure sticker is for our trucks at maximum payload. Re-inflate according to load situations. TPMS doesnt alert for over pressure spec.

 

Hard to comment directly, as I made three changes all at once...


-installed BDS 4" RA lift with Fox shocks
-swapped tires to 37x13.5x20 Toyo RTs
-lowered pressures to 60 psi front / 65 psi rear


The above drastically changed the ride of this truck. The ride is much smoother, and softer...hard to describe. I would definitely recommend the Fox shocks. Play with the tire pressures too.

 

Your post accurately describes my experience with my 2017 Ford F-250. I have the FX4 package on a Platinum.....I traded a 2015 GMC Denali HD on it. The Ford "bed chatter" and vibrations drove me crazy unloaded. I changed to the FOX 2.0 Shocks I keep my factory tires at 55-60 pounds. The Fox Shocks smoothed out the bumps and the vibrations( still half as good as factory GMC) However, now truck feels very top heavy and while light towing I have the feeling I'm being thrown side to side on sections of Highway. I think the FOX 2.0 are to soft... I am currently looking for solutions, I will be installing the Sulastic Shackles to see if they help. I wish I bought the long bed Ford seems to be much better.

 

Why don't you guys revalve your foxes for a firmer ride? I have the 2.5 Factory Editions, they are quite a bit firmer than the 2.0s with the stock valving, but there's nothing stopping you from setting them up similarly. I have none of the issues you speak of. Just the opposite actually. Much more confidence inspiring and actually a lot of fun to take corners.

 

My experience with the Fox 2.0s so far has been that they are an improvement in every way. I got the bounce in certain spots and now I don't notice it. When going over a speed bump before, it felt like I would hit the bump, then when over it, the shock would fully extend, which was quite rough. In one driveway I would pull into regularly at an angle, I would have to really hold onto the wheel to avoid smashing my head into the side window. With the 2.0s, it's a MUCH smoother transition.

I have the FX4 on stock tire pressure.

 

If you go the Sulastic route please post about your experience. I had them on my 2005 F250 and would consider them if/when i pull the trigger on a new F450.

 

That has always been my concern about the Fox (et al ) shocks. Too soft. Especially a problem if you 5th wheel tow. Side to side softness with that high hitch point is not good. Maybe great for ride and off road; maybe not so great for towing.

 

Had the Roadmaster Active Suspension on my 2011 F150. Not only did it allow to haul a heavier load, but it really smoothed out the rear end when it was not loaded.

https://activesuspension.com/

 

Maybe the Rancho RS9000 XL adjustables would fit your situation. I question if I should have bought them vs the Fox 2.0s.

 

Had for me to comment, since I did a lift w/ Fox shocks and swapped out the rims/tires for 37" Toyo RTs. For me, its a whole new truck...the ride is far better than prior. I'm running 60 psi in the front and 65 psi in the rear.

 

got any pictures of your truck i am planning on doing the same lift kit?