How to improve ride quality?

[Delton Rushing]

Go out and buy the JET PUFFED large marshmallows and place one under each shock. Make sure it's the JET PUFFED brand and not the store brand crap.

[joshc64311]

Go out and buy the JET PUFFED large marshmallows and place one under each shock. Make sure it's the JET PUFFED brand and not the store brand crap.

Jets puffed you say? I have the chocolate oneso would they be better?

[454superDutt]

I have a 95' Ford, 7.3, Super cab, 2WD dually.  I put Bilstien shocks on the front with 14 year old Munroe sensor tracks with Firstone Ride Right airbags on the back.  22 PSI in air bags.  My truck cornered better than any Porsche SUV.  There was this bump on the highway, my truck would throw me out of the seat. Just about leave the ground then almost bottom out on landing with 3 more after bounces.  With the Bilstien my truck hardly moves on that bump.  Bilstein hit harder so your body feels it more, but my coffee no longer splashes.  These shocks cost me $200 each.  They were completely finished after 2 years.  I just put Munroe's on the front for $40 each.  They say 6 years. Can't corner as well as the Bilstein but my body feels nothing.  My brand new 2018 Chevy Siverado? The front and rear Bob up and down worse than a wagon.  Cornering, it doesn't,. When I hit a small medium bump the back goes sideways.   My Ford Dually back end went sideways once when I was running over 6" deep washboards at 38 mph.  I had to slow down to 25 mph and she was fine.

 

My Rotten old Ford, the AC will freeze your hands in 5 min. The heater will burn your skin.  The front wheels turn 40% more (smaller turning radius). It rides and corners 10x's better. Rated at carrying 1950 lbs and pulling 13,000 lbs, I carrying 5,500 lbs in the box and pull 19,000 no problem and when I do the mileage goes up by 30% (720 miles per tank, with a load 950). And she the fastest thing I ever drove on the highway.  When the engine is running good she'll go from 75 to 120 mph in 5 seconds.

The Chevy has 20" chrome wheels, turned to 390 hp and 410 torque but GM Performance, it seems fast but I don't think it is as fast as my old Ford.  The Chevy does spin the tires on wet pavement at 75 mph.

My brother has a 2002 GMC 4x4 extended cab dually.  Empty truck the front rides better, handles like a Corvette on the highway. It is a lot of fun to drive empty.

 

Pulling the Ford comes with Telepathic steering, the ride is softer than clouds and she can hold the hills pulling 19,000 lbs 75 to 95 mph.  The 02' Duramax, rides rough, steering is not great and she can only hold the hills at 58 mph.  Even though the Duramax down shifts and screams on every hill mileage is still a good 15 mpg US.

[parthery]

Another vote for 5100s. Just swapped mine out for them. The bucking bronco ride over expansion joints and uneven pavement is now a thing of the past. 

[Donstar]

I've never owned 22's but they look good!  They are often found on the higher trim levels and I assumed they gave an acceptable ride.  Increasing the aspect size when buying new tires would probably make the most noticeable difference.  You should be able to go to a  aspect ratio of 50 without leveling or lifting. (?)  Costco (my favourite tire store) has Bridgestone's and Pirelli's  in the 275/50/22 size.  These are both smooth riding, all season tires.

 

EDIT:  I just noticed the date of the original post.  I'll leave my comment FWIW

[CMSearle2]

Went down to 17's and swapped the garbage Ranchos for Bilstein 5100's. Better ride for sure.

 

I had a 2011 Raptor and will be forever spoiled but this combo has helped me from despising the ride of my truck.

 

Literally love everything about this truck aside from the throttle lag/ride.

 

#firstworldproblems

[sk]

21 hours ago, CMSearle2 said:

Literally love everything about this truck aside from the throttle lag/ride.

Did you fix the throttle lag?  It's a free 2 minute fix.  Search these forums for instructions on how to wedge a shim behind the gas pedal bracket.

[iPhonez71]

Over the years, I learned that some sellers that I had bought some vehicles from had done one thing in common were deflating the tires a little bit. Anyhow, when doing a test drive, a deflated tires vehicle are riding better and less vibration. It is not recommended as a method because over-deflated tires are not only fuel inefficient but also unsafe as they can pop especially turn fast on a short curve. Keeping the pickup level whether by lifting the front suspension or lower the rear suspension a little bit with appropriate type of shocks will help a bit.

[2018GMC]

On 11/17/2016 at 9:56 AM, Delton Rushing said:

Go out and buy the JET PUFFED large marshmallows and place one under each shock. Make sure it's the JET PUFFED brand and not the store brand crap.

Hahaha. 

 

While you are at the store, get some Hershey ‘s and graham crackers for s’mores. 

[2018GMC]

For a good laugh. Read the first post on the below blue oval site. Was the guys first post too!

 

https://www.f150forum.com/f2/i-want-crazy-soft-suspension-143989/

 

Yes, they also recommend lower tire pressure, smaller wheel / larger tire, etc. 

 

 

[Hate Work]

On 8/16/2018 at 6:59 PM, iPhonez71 said:

Over the years, I learned that some sellers that I had bought some vehicles from had done one thing in common were deflating the tires a little bit. Anyhow, when doing a test drive, a deflated tires vehicle are riding better and less vibration. It is not recommended as a method because over-deflated tires are not only fuel inefficient but also unsafe as they can pop especially turn fast on a short curve. Keeping the pickup level whether by lifting the front suspension or lower the rear suspension a little bit with appropriate type of shocks will help a bit.

I keep my tires at 33 cold. Once on the road for a few miles, they warm up and pressure is 35-36. Plenty of pressure for the tires. When I put 35 in cold, they would be 39 in no time and I felt every crack and pebble. Not good.

[Grumpy Bear]

Bridgestone Dueler 684 II. 255R70-17's on mine running 30 psi cold. Have 73,000 to date on these 60,000 mile tires with quite a it left in them. Wearing great and quite as a mouse. Under 70 db.  in the cab. The 35 psi door sticker assumes your are always carrying maximum load. Are you? 

 

Tons of non rebuildable OEM replacement options for shocks. Almost anything is better than the factory fittings. Monroe, KYB, Bilstein, Gabriel. 

 

Past this you're into spring rates and that gets expensive. Especially if you choose a front shock that does not handle a 'common' coil over spring size. A few that do are King, Fox and Viking. (there are others) These are also rebuildable which means they are also re-valve-able.

 

You can get the front like a marshmallow if that is your liking with off the self parts. Rear springs are a different story. I use Deaver but National is also a choice. SOFTER and more COMPLIANT is the goal. Allot of thin leaves over two and a back breaker. 

 

Sulastic hangers are a nice finishing touch that takes out the 'pea under the mattress' feel stiff leaves give. Helps even a stock suspension. 

 

Remember when trucks had monikers like C10 and F-100? These were true half ton trucks. 1,000 pound payloads. Today what we call a half ton says Silverado 1500 or F-150. Three quarter ton trucks with a half ton dress on. But wait!!! Read your payload. Almost ton trucks for crying out loud. So....the factory SPRING rates are literally set up like one ton trucks. And they ride rough why????