My Ranger rides like crap. Help!

[lariat]

The only reason I upgraded the leafs was because the stock parabolic leafs were absolutely atrocious in ride quality. The icons made a noticeable improvement. Just still not great.

Then you have another issue that you've had for a long time that you never had diagnosed. My truck drives better than my SUV. Axle or driveshaft related. Let me ask, have you driven another Ranger, stock and with Fox suspension as a point of comparison?

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[JimG_AZ]

My son has the Fox 2.0 front and back on his '21 STX FX4. It rides great. My Ranger is a '21 XLT FX4. About 3 weeks ago mine started riding like %^&* too. It happened right after I changed out fluids. 6.5 qts ATF out of the FitzStick, front and rear diff and transfer case. The rough ride felt like it was coming from the rear diff/tires. It literally felt like I had a bulge on the tread of one of the rear tires. I inspect the tires and they look great. So, I take my Ranger to Discount tire for a rotation and balance and they told me the balance was good. I drove the truck home and it still felt like there a bulge in the rear tire. I was about to take it to the Ford dealer and then I found the following thread.

DPFE Sensor Replacement

I found post #22 and #35 to be interesting. Post 22 was the same symptoms as I was experiencing with my truck. Post 35 talked about water in the DPFE sensor. The sensor from Rock Auto is $20 + shipping. I just swapped mine yesterday and it took me @ 45 minutes. BTW, my sensor did have water in it. After the sensor swap, my Ranger is back to driving smoothly.

This may not be your issue, but at $20 + shipping, it is probably worth a shot.

 

[jflogerzi]

My vote is to put weight in the rear and see if it helps. Like others said you added stiffer rear springs... and you bought a full body on frame truck with basic suspension. We don't have air ride etc... Other thing could be your tires... try airing down some more.

 

[RuggedRanger]

Things that come to mind for me:

• What load type tires? C or E? E are very stiff and are overkill for most applications. People of the “bigger is always better” community tend to reflexively recommend E, but I’ve never had issues with C whether towing a 7k lb trailer all over the place (including through mountain passes and 80mph along I80/I40), or off-roading in the Sierra Nevada with a Scout Yoho loaded in the back.
• With heavier tires and wheels comes additional unsprung weight, which will be felt throughout the truck. Check on the weight or the tires and wheels. This is why I have lightweight Icon wheels with a bead type locker and Toyo ATIII because they are the lightest AT tire available and handle exceptionally well.
• How did you adjust your front shocks? Did you extend to the full 3”, or go with 2.5”? Having a little more travel available can help with smoothing out bumps
• Are the shocks adjustable for pressure? I can’t recall if that’s available on 2 or only on 2.5 and up.
• How many leafs for the Icon pack in the back? If not using any kind of load assist, you want maybe another 1” above front to compensate for unloaded/loaded. If you’re needing more then that, take a look at adding something like Sumo springs or air springs.

 

[midwayfordranger2021]

My "21 Scab with no modifications did seem to ride pretty well when I got it with the stock Bridgestones... but, like you did....I dropped the PSI to 32 from 35 and did notice a bit better ride. I now have some replacement Michelins which seem to ride the same.

 

[Canadian Ranger]

Adjust the tire pressure. If you kept, for example, 35lbs when stock and have 35lbs now with the different leafs, shocks and tires, changing the tire pressure will make a big difference in ride.

 

[Friday yet?]

Like the song said, get a big woman to marry you. And you can be happy for the rest of your life. Make her ride out back, perfect ride and cant hear the complaints.

Little extra weight will smooth that ride right out.

 

[Msfitoy]

My "21 Scab with no modifications did seem to ride pretty well when I got it with the stock Bridgestones... but, like you did....I dropped the PSI to 32 from 35 and did notice a bit better ride. I now have some replacement Michelins which seem to ride the same.

Dropped from 32 to 35?

 

[Dereku]

Dropped from 32 to 35?

Maths are hard. Not everyone is smrt

 

[Chris M]

Dropped from 32 to 35?

Read again...
Dropped TO 32 FROM 35.
English are hard sometimes too!

 

[Msfitoy]

Read again...
Dropped TO 32 FROM 35.
English are hard sometimes too!

That's cheatin

 

[Grumpaw]

Maths are hard. Not everyone is smrt

Smart am I....but only can count to three........six if both hands I use.....

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