Ride Quality Complaints

[SilverXLT6]

I'm curious how many combinations of springs - shocks - tires came from the factory ?
I think it's funny that people think all trucks ride like theirs.
You have never drove my truck.
I might be happy with your truck and I know you wouldn't like mine.
Eibach shocks on the rear cured my 2019.

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[McLeadslinger]

Ride quality in my FX4 was bouncy and mushy before I installed coilovers.

factory shocks and struts went in the trash at 7k miles.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

I was not a fan of the body roll either, I installed the Hellwig rear sway bar, put it on full stiff and love it, they should come from the factory with one in my opinion.
Although the bar does not properly fit the Tremor, you need slightly longer links.

Aren't the links adjustable?

 

[Superdannyboy]

What areas are wanting for improvement in your opinion? I think there are four general categories of bump and dip handling. Those are (1) fast bump dampening, (2) slow bump dampening, (3) fast rebound dampening, and (4) slow rebound dampening.

I think that fast bump dampening might be stiffened in the rear to improve ride but the issue really is the weight of the rear axle is almost impossible to manage because the frame is the next weakest link. The whole truck literally shakes if the rearend starts bouncing. However, if the frame were stiffened maybe the rearend could be better controlled?

Nice to see some technical talk! I would say 9 times out of 10 rebound is the issue.
For example, I replaced the rears with Bilstein 5100's which have a faster rebound and boy oh boy much better. Then I put on deavers leaf springs and icon 2.5 rears and the springs were soft but the shocks took so much initial.force to compress that I only felt the cushion at higher speeds but there was still a problem that the icons rebounded so slowly that the rear end would "pack" over worn down roads and off-road. I took the rear shocks to get tuned and only opened up the rebound for a faster rebound and although my compression might feel stiff at low speeds (less then 30 mph) it's nothing to complain about because the rebound compliments the comfy deavers springs. Now I have shocks that can absorb a jump (turn the compression knob up for off-road) and also feel planted going 120 on the highway. Rebound my friend, it's a great amigo to have.

 

[docarter]

Nice to see some technical talk! I would say 9 times out of 10 rebound is the issue.
For example, I replaced the rears with Bilstein 5100's which have a faster rebound and boy oh boy much better. Then I put on deavers leaf springs and icon 2.5 rears and the springs were soft but the shocks took so much initial.force to compress that I only felt the cushion at higher speeds but there was still a problem that the icons rebounded so slowly that the rear end would "pack" over worn down roads and off-road. I took the rear shocks to get tuned and only opened up the rebound for a faster rebound and although my compression might feel stiff at low speeds (less then 30 mph) it's nothing to complain about because the rebound compliments the comfy deavers springs. Now I have shocks that can absorb a jump (turn the compression knob up for off-road) and also feel planted going 120 on the highway. Rebound my friend, it's a great amigo to have.

In my all stock 21 STX 4x4 I find the front great for a truck but the rear is too stiff in fast compression and I think the rear is too soft in fast rebound.

We don't rally the truck so even towing I don't see any witness marks from the bump stops, I think fewer people would complain about the ride if the rear were somewhat softer.

 

[Superdannyboy]

In my all stock 21 STX 4x4 I find the front great for a truck but the rear is too stiff in fast compression and I think the rear is too soft in fast rebound.

We don't rally the truck so even towing I don't see any witness marks from the bump stops, I think fewer people would complain about the ride if the rear were somewhat softer.

I think the slow rebound paired with the stock non-tremor springs are the culprit. But like it's been said over and over different strokes for different folks. I've never towed anything other than my dirt bike and other use it more as a "truck".

 

[GitRDone]

On the whale shit…. The stuff that comes out the backside is excrement. The stuff they puke is worth money! Know your shit ?

HUGE money. That stuff is called ambergris and is the reason high-end pefumes like Chanel No. 5 cost so much, it makes the scent last longest.

 

[gkostolny]

I’ve had an Xterra for 11 years and bought a Lariat Tremor in December. I looked at pretty much every body on frame mid-sized truck & SUV on the market before buying the Ranger, because I wanted something as close in size and capability to the Xterra as possible with a modern drivetrain and other niceties like CarPlay.

My first Ranger test drive was a Lariat FX4, which I felt bobbed and wallowed like a boat, even compared to the 7 year old Pro-4X shocks in my Xterra. It felt like it just had no damping whatsoever, at least with only me for a payload. I ended up with the Tremor, which to me is very well composed both on road and off. My $.02.

 

[Mark T]

I’ve had an Xterra for 11 years and bought a Lariat Tremor in December. I looked at pretty much every body on frame mid-sized truck & SUV on the market before buying the Ranger, because I wanted something as close in size and capability to the Xterra as possible with a modern drivetrain and other niceties like CarPlay.

My first Ranger test drive was a Lariat FX4, which I felt bobbed and wallowed like a boat, even compared to the 7 year old Pro-4X shocks in my Xterra. It felt like it just had no damping whatsoever, at least with only me for a payload. I ended up with the Tremor, which to me is very well composed both on road and off. My $.02.

I had an Xterra. Harshest riding vehicle I have owned, and I have owned many. If the FX4’s ride is anything like that, it’s not good. But that’s good to hear about the Tremor.

 

[CB750F]

FX4 with Hankooks, wife thinks it rides like a Cadillac.
I have no issues with the ride, off ramps/on ramps are good, no diving/wallowing.
I like to feel the road & I think the one I have feels fine.
Maybe one day when this shit is over(Covid) I'll go try a Tremor see what the difference is?
I really don't understand what people are talking about but then last time
I owned a Ranger was over 20 yrs ago & for a short time.
Unlike Niki Lauda, God did not give me a good ass.

 

[Mark T]

FX4 with Hankooks, wife thinks it rides like a Cadillac.
I have no issues with the ride, off ramps/on ramps are good, no diving/wallowing.
I like to feel the road & I think the one I have feels fine.
Maybe one day when this shit is over(Covid) I'll go try a Tremor see what the difference is?
I really don't understand what people are talking about but then last time
I owned a Ranger was over 20 yrs ago & for a short time.
Unlike Niki Lauda, God did not give me a good ass.

Ha! Nice Niki reference!

 

[D Fresh]

I'm curious how many combinations of springs - shocks - tires came from the factory ?
I think it's funny that people think all trucks ride like theirs.
You have never drove my truck.
I might be happy with your truck and I know you wouldn't like mine.
Eibach shocks on the rear cured my 2019.

There are 2 different springs sets, and 3 different shock sets.

All Rangers 2ws and 4wd start with the same springs. FX (2 or 4) package adds the monotube FX shocks, Tremor replaces both springs and shocks yet again.

All but the Tremor are severely underdamped from the factory.

FX4 with Hankooks, wife thinks it rides like a Cadillac.
I have no issues with the ride, off ramps/on ramps are good, no diving/wallowing.
I like to feel the road & I think the one I have feels fine.

That's the problem. On the factory set up, you aren't feeling the road. You're feeling the springs.

 

[CB750F]

There are 2 different springs sets, and 3 different shock sets.

All Rangers 2ws and 4wd start with the same springs. FX (2 or 4) package adds the monotube FX shocks, Tremor replaces both springs and shocks yet again.

All but the Tremor are severely underdamped from the factory.

That's the problem. On the factory set up, you aren't feeling the road. You're feeling the springs.

Well, I have to disagree but then again, see my last sentence.

 

[GitRDone]

Well, I have to disagree but then again, see my last sentence.

I follow F1, but still don't get the Lauda joke. Please advise.

 

[Mirage775]

Countless users have bemoaned the stock ride quality and I honestly don't get it.

(1) I find that the ride is very complaint, except the usual complaints about the rear end jutter over bumps and dips. However, this hasn't been too bad in my experience.
(2) My crew cab 4x4 Ranger STX has a 1,531lb cargo capacity which I think is plenty.
(3) In the land of OZ, the a crew cab 4x4 Ranger has a * * 2,150 lb * * cargo capacity and their auto journalists claim the ride is good. They don't have the F-150 or super duties there so that explains the payload difference.

What gives? Are Americans just overly sensitive to ride quality? The Ranger's rear axle isn't as planted as my ATS's with magnetic ride control, but I can feel the reflectors on a highway in the ATS where in the Ranger you wouldn't know you've hit one.

I have to agree with you on everything. So many people bitching about the ride quality and towing/cargo capacity on these little trucks. I want to say, they're not full sized trucks damnit! According to my stepfather, my 2wd XLT can tow about 300lbs less than his Diesel 3/4ton 4x4 Ram and I try to tell him, there's no way my truck can do that. I know what Ford says about these trucks, but 7000lbs is a lot to be behind a 4cyl Ranger, but that's just my opinion about it, I don't pull trailers everyday anymore, only once in a blue moon.

But yes, back to the ride quality complaints... I just don't understand the negative reviews about it. My '03 Ranger Supercab 4x4 rode rough as hell, cause it's, well, it's a truck damnit, that's how trucks ride!

But my little '21 Ranger Super Crew 2wd, even being lowered 3"F/5"R rides & handles great! Definitely nothing I'd ever expect from a truck, but I'm definitely not complaining about it

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