Softening the Ride…HELP!

[DapperDean]

I have a 2020 Lariat Sport 4x4 with the stock 18 inch all-terrain tires and of course the ancient solid rear axle with leaf springs. I’m tired of the jarring ride! Is there any combo of suspension parts and/or tires that can soak up bad pavement?

Sponsored

 

[JimJ]

I’ve owned rangers since 84, have had 5 including my 22 FX4 super cab . The 22 is the smoothest riding truck ever.

 

[Blurpleranger]

I can share my experience trying to solve this problem. I've got a 2021 xlt fx4 4x4, Sitting on 285 70 17 Toyo MT's on method 703's, 0 offset. I've tried a few different suspension setups.

First I did the Fox 2.0 coilovers and rear shocks to bring up the front about 2.5" and leveling out the truck. This stopped the front end from drooping when coming to a stop and made a huge difference in stance and body role. Didn't notice too much of a difference from the rear 2.0 shocks to be honest.

Then I decided I needed a little more and went for Fox 2.5's all around where I did not notice a huge different in the front end but the rear end was a night and day difference. I was able to enter and exit driveways way faster and it absorbed a bunch in the rear.

Lastly, yesterday I replaced the oem single leaf suspension with the standard deaver pack from APG (was on sale for $600) and I immediately noticed a difference on the freeway, greatly reducing the side to side wobbling in the rear and softening bumps in general. Looking forward to testing them out more and breaking them in.

Hope this helps!

 

[Blmpkn]

Put weight in the bed.

 

[Frenchy]

Many on here have already determined that replaceing just the shocks with Eibach or Bilstein shocks(assuming you dont want to raise the truck at all) will take care of the ride mostly. Also make sure you have the tire pressure set right

 

[got3fords]

Many on here have already determined that replaceing just the shocks with Eibach or Bilstein shocks(assuming you dont want to raise the truck at all) will take care of the ride mostly. Also make sure you have the tire pressure set right

This...Eibach Pro truck sport all around. Not a huge investment, made a world of difference.

 

[RangerPNW]

I have a 2020 Lariat Sport 4x4 with the stock 18 inch all-terrain tires and of course the ancient solid rear axle with leaf springs. I’m tired of the jarring ride! Is there any combo of suspension parts and/or tires that can soak up bad pavement?

Other than the shock upgrades that are VERY WELL documented on here, it sounds like you should have gotten a Maverick or Ridgeline since you seem to be very down on the live rear axle.

 

[DapperDean]

I tried to reserve a Lightning which has independent rear suspension but couldn’t. I test drove a Ram 1500 with coil spring rear and it was fantastic but there was a deal breaker that killed the deal. Tundras now have rear coils but you can’t order one right now.

 

[Joeiconic]

I tried to reserve a Lightning which has independent rear suspension but couldn’t. I test drove a Ram 1500 with coil spring rear and it was fantastic but there was a deal breaker that killed the deal. Tundras now have rear coils but you can’t order one right now.

That tattoo limits your options.

 

[P-38Ranger]

I can share my experience trying to solve this problem. I've got a 2021 xlt fx4 4x4, Sitting on 285 70 17 Toyo MT's on method 703's, 0 offset. I've tried a few different suspension setups.

First I did the Fox 2.0 coilovers and rear shocks to bring up the front about 2.5" and leveling out the truck. This stopped the front end from drooping when coming to a stop and made a huge difference in stance and body role. Didn't notice too much of a difference from the rear 2.0 shocks to be honest.

Then I decided I needed a little more and went for Fox 2.5's all around where I did not notice a huge different in the front end but the rear end was a night and day difference. I was able to enter and exit driveways way faster and it absorbed a bunch in the rear.

Lastly, yesterday I replaced the oem single leaf suspension with the standard deaver pack from APG (was on sale for $600) and I immediately noticed a difference on the freeway, greatly reducing the side to side wobbling in the rear and softening bumps in general. Looking forward to testing them out more and breaking them in.

Hope this helps!

Final found the right vendor, and wording. Denver pack. I had seen this years ago, yet a general Google search was no joy. Now i can make a recession.

 

[DapperDean]

No way. I love all makes. I just love Ford the most. I’ve actually had more Plymouth and Jeep vehicles than Fords.

 

[GTGallop]

The very first element in your suspension is the first part of your truck that touches the ground - TIRES! What kind of PSI are you running? Have you looked at lessening it? What ever your tires soak up, never gets transmitted to the shocks and springs.

IIRC stock was 32psi.

I think you can get away with 28 upfront and 26 in the rear when it's empty. Maybe start at 28 all the way around.

 

[Progeny2021]

I have a 2020 Lariat Sport 4x4 with the stock 18 inch all-terrain tires and of course the ancient solid rear axle with leaf springs. I’m tired of the jarring ride! Is there any combo of suspension parts and/or tires that can soak up bad pavement?

Well, it's a pickup truck.

The stock shocks are crap, with minimal dampening. The first of 4 new Rangers I've owned since 1988 that came from the factory with crap shocks. Bilstein Shocks/Struts made a huge difference. I paid nearly $1,100 installed.

Ranger has been undergoing a decontenting process ever since it was released to North America in 2019. Good shocks/struts were the first items to go apparently.

My 2019 Lariat:

 

[MountainGoat]

No way. I love all makes. I just love Ford the most. I’ve actually had more Plymouth and Jeep vehicles than Fords.

Wait you mean that tattoo is actually yours? Damn man, branded worse than those guys on Yellowstone. At least they got free bunks out of it.

 

[Blurpleranger]

The very first element in your suspension is the first part of your truck that touches the ground - TIRES! What kind of PSI are you running? Have you looked at lessening it? What ever your tires soak up, never gets transmitted to the shocks and springs.

IIRC stock was 32psi.

I think you can get away with 28 upfront and 26 in the rear when it's empty. Maybe start at 28 all the way around.

It definitely makes a difference. Mine are usually around 31 cool and get up to 35 on the road. Having them closer to 30psi should make it little smoother.

Sponsored