bouncy ride

[jflogerzi]

as everyone else said. 4600s, 5100s, or eibach pro set will work perfectly.

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[JCMAC]

Hi Chuck! Yes, new shocks will help! I noticed the same thing on my '22 XLT. Switched out the rear shocks to Bilstein 5100s and noticed marked improvement!

I will confirm that, I too experienced great improvement as well. Did not have to change the fronts to get a great result though if you are flush with cash that could improve things a bit more.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

I will confirm that, I too experienced great improvement as well. Did not have to change the fronts to get a great result though if you are flush with cash that could improve things a bit more.

The fronts will definitely improve things, but it's not as dramatic of an improvement as the rear.

 

[dstig1]

Weird. Count me in the group that thinks the stock ride is quite good. Of course I am coming from an F250 that rode like a lumber cart with steel wheels...

 

[MarcS]

Billstein 4600‘s have quite a lot of pressure….if they are put on the stock truck (only rears) does it RAISE the already too high rear of the truck?

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Billstein 4600‘s have quite a lot of pressure….if they are put on the stock truck (only rears) does it RAISE the already too high rear of the truck?

They raised mine by about an eighth of an inch.

I detailed my Tremor leaf swap HERE and I posted the height pics of stock, added Bilsteins, Bilsteins + Tremor leafs.

With my front Bilsteins set at 1.8 inch lift my truck has a slight rake.

The bed height seems to be about the same since it had so much more rake from the factory.

 

[jboss302]

Love our Hot Pepper Lariat (non-FX4), but one thing bugs me, it is really bouncy. Like coming off the driveway bump for example head gets thrown side to side, and for similar things on the road. Will different shocks help

I put up with the bouncy ride aka like a boat pitching in the waves for 35k miles. Installed Ford Performance Tuned Fox 2.0 coil overs and rear shocks. Ride is amazing on and off road with much more control with the hits on the trail. The downside is the rear Fox shocks and stock mono leaf is worse on washboard roads, enough to cause the rear of the truck to try and pass me. Next is ICON leaf spring packs waiting on better weather for the install. I know I will be set after that.

 

[ljames]

I felt the same way coming in over curbs. Now that my truck has 18k, it seems greatly reduced. I am not sure how anyone can say that installing stiffer shocks will help this. I believe it is the spend money and be a believer. Will the truck feel different with stiffer shocks? no doubt-but better- I doubt it. Think about what would happen with NO shocks on rear, this problem would mostly be non existent. The front end would dictate body roll and the rear would simply follow. What happens now is that the rear and front fight each other and that gives you the thrown about feeling, which with no shocks would happen only once. I am not advocating running NO rear shocks as that would be a very bad idea.

 

[doctrsnoop]

I felt the same way coming in over curbs. Now that my truck has 18k, it seems greatly reduced. I am not sure how anyone can say that installing stiffer shocks will help this. I believe it is the spend money and be a believer. Will the truck feel different with stiffer shocks? no doubt-but better- I doubt it. Think about what would happen with NO shocks on rear, this problem would mostly be non existent. The front end would dictate body roll and the rear would simply follow. What happens now is that the rear and front fight each other and that gives you the thrown about feeling, which with no shocks would happen only once. I am not advocating running NO rear shocks as that would be a very bad idea.

I had similar thoughts which is why I posed the question and it seems to be a consistent answer that the shocks help. I guess the idea being that stiffer shocks dampen motion more quickly

 

[Dr. Zaius]

I felt the same way coming in over curbs. Now that my truck has 18k, it seems greatly reduced. I am not sure how anyone can say that installing stiffer shocks will help this. I believe it is the spend money and be a believer. Will the truck feel different with stiffer shocks? no doubt-but better- I doubt it. Think about what would happen with NO shocks on rear, this problem would mostly be non existent. The front end would dictate body roll and the rear would simply follow. What happens now is that the rear and front fight each other and that gives you the thrown about feeling, which with no shocks would happen only once. I am not advocating running NO rear shocks as that would be a very bad idea.

There is a washboard dirt road not far from me.

With the factory FX4 shocks the rear end of the truck would skitter all over the road at anything over a crawl.

By just installing the Bilsteins, the same road is FAR more manageable and can be traveled at a higher speed.

I feel fairly certain that the improvement was not solely due to my wallet being $200 lighter.

Are the Bilsteins stiffer than the FX4 shocks? Yes.

Unlike the FX4 shocks, do the Bilsteins actually function as shocks? Also yes.

 

[SpifNup]

Thanks to all posters. Enjoying this and other threads that discuss shocks, handling & related aspects.

Have 10k mi. on stock shocks & setup since new purch (22 XLT Crew 4x4--no lift, no level).

Generally rides okay (mostly interstate or decent country roads, in 2H only) but have noticed occasional bouncing or sway/tilt. Sometimes sway in heavy wind gusts. Handling & control a bit disconcerting during those times. Not comfortable (not discussing plushness of ride) at those moments.

Been considering upgrade to Bilstein 4600 all corners, or approx equivalents.
Could be Icons or ... ??

Questions:

1. Wondering if Hellwig Anti-Swaybar (no lift version) would be helpful (if new shocks all around)? Noticeable (on top of new shocks)? Noticeable (in lieu of new shocks--if stock shocks kept a lot longer)?

2. If I raise front by 1.5 in, would that be incompatible with the no-lift Hellwig version?

*****
Additional goals & personal usage:

No plan (or budget need) to wait until stock shocks need replaced. Prefer more control & better handling ... sooner rather than later. [Feeling more planted, more consistently.]

Wouldn't mind partial leveling (say, front lift 1.5 in--slight rake okay in case of small load); large loads not anticipated. Always need adjustable front shocks to achieve?

Bed normally empty. If I camp in vehicle will try to travel light. No heavy loads anticipated (enjoy good mileage, much as reasonably possible--like to keep routine economy in mind).

Small (partial) leveling (say, front raise of 1.5 in.) would hardly affect mpg, right?

Not an offroader, but occasionally can be on dirt or forest road, perhaps getting to a viewing or birding site or trailhead, or simply exploring the outdoors. Washboards possible but be taking it slowly/carefully.

Can foresee trip to Dakotas or Idaho for retirement fun with wife.

Have looked at Long Range America tank upgrade, but not yet convinced (could haul jerry can/s when required).

Have Fitzstick (thanks, Mike!) & shopping for tran pan with drain, prior to install.

Feedback welcome! Alternatives also.

Thanks,
--SpifNup

 

[airline tech]

I compared my rear shocks to the 4600’s before I swapped them.
If you put side by side and just press downward on them - they match the same resistance.
If you press downward and then release and press downward again-
(Simulated, bump etc)
This is where you will note the difference between the stock and 4600’s
The stocks float and the 4600’s still produce a resistance, this is where the float is the cause of the bouncy side to side feel comes from.
The shocks are not really stiffer than stock, it’s how they port the fluid internally under a loaded action

 

[jboss302]

Thanks to all posters. Enjoying this and other threads that discuss shocks, handling & related aspects.

Have 10k mi. on stock shocks & setup since new purch (22 XLT Crew 4x4--no lift, no level).

Generally rides okay (mostly interstate or decent country roads, in 2H only) but have noticed occasional bouncing or sway/tilt. Sometimes sway in heavy wind gusts. Handling & control a bit disconcerting during those times. Not comfortable (not discussing plushness of ride) at those moments.

Been considering upgrade to Bilstein 4600 all corners, or approx equivalents.
Could be Icons or ... ??

Questions:

1. Wondering if Hellwig Anti-Swaybar (no lift version) would be helpful (if new shocks all around)? Noticeable (on top of new shocks)? Noticeable (in lieu of new shocks--if stock shocks kept a lot longer)?

2. If I raise front by 1.5 in, would that be incompatible with the no-lift Hellwig version?

*****
Additional goals & personal usage:

No plan (or budget need) to wait until stock shocks need replaced. Prefer more control & better handling ... sooner rather than later. [Feeling more planted, more consistently.]

Wouldn't mind partial leveling (say, front lift 1.5 in--slight rake okay in case of small load); large loads not anticipated. Always need adjustable front shocks to achieve?

Bed normally empty. If I camp in vehicle will try to travel light. No heavy loads anticipated (enjoy good mileage, much as reasonably possible--like to keep routine economy in mind).

Small (partial) leveling (say, front raise of 1.5 in.) would hardly affect mpg, right?

Not an offroader, but occasionally can be on dirt or forest road, perhaps getting to a viewing or birding site or trailhead, or simply exploring the outdoors. Washboards possible but be taking it slowly/carefully.

Can foresee trip to Dakotas or Idaho for retirement fun with wife.

Have looked at Long Range America tank upgrade, but not yet convinced (could haul jerry can/s when required).

Have Fitzstick (thanks, Mike!) & shopping for tran pan with drain, prior to install.

Feedback welcome! Alternatives also.

Thanks,
--SpifNup

My FP Fox 2.0 leveling kit had no effect on fuel economy. Fuel economy is primarily based on the weight of the vehicle and how heavy and tall your tires and wheels are. Heavy LT rated tires ( load range E ) can hurt your mpg because you have to rotate the extra weight from a stop and accelerate up to speed, each and every stop and it adds up. Load range C LT weigh less than E and both are heavier than P metric tires. Those E and C load rating tires also cause more wear on the suspension and brakes. Most midsized trucks come with P metric tires because auto makers are trying to meet EPA fuel economy requirements and most tires are selected for smooth quiet ride with decent fuel economy. My 265/70-17 WildPeaks A/T3W weigh 46 lbs compared to my factory 265/60-18 DynaPros A/T that weigh 35. Have not driven on the WildPeaks enough to check mpg.

 

[Kendi’s Ranger MRST]

Love our Hot Pepper Lariat (non-FX4), but one thing bugs me, it is really bouncy. Like coming off the driveway bump for example head gets thrown side to side, and for similar things on the road. Will different shocks help

Hi, I had the same experience with my new 2021 Ford Ranger. I replaced the stock nitrogen gas charged rear shocks with Ironman Foam Cell Pro (Comfort tuned). Wow! That rocking side to side motion has been eradicated and if you have a smooth highway then the driving experience is very smooth. Glad I changed mine - it was a process that was very simple to swop out. No modifications was required.

 

[GhostStrykre]

From all the suspension videos I’ve been watching lately it sure seems to me that comparing the stock suspension to an aftermarket is basically apples and oranges when it comes to their setup.

Shock surplus did a good video explaining how the Fox shocks are linear, while the Bilsteins are digressive. So the bilsteins are stiffer initially but soften up. The Fox’s aren’t as stiff on initial hit, making them more of a comfy rider (though absolutely no slouch Offroad). They added that Eibach saw the Fox and 5100 options as leaders in the segment and made their pro truck shocks to split the difference between the two in terms of comfort vs stiffness.

I really want those Ford tuned Fox shocks, but I don’t wanna mess with servicing the shocks every 30k-50k miles. So I will likely be lazy and go with Eibach.

I’m at 65k miles on the stock FX4 suspension. This forum makes me feel like a madman for waiting to upgrade lol. But I’m finally tired of the hopping and wild nature of the suspension. I’m almost entirely a road warrior, daily driver. I just want comfort lol.

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