Ride Quality?

[HenryMac]

Is the Taco as bouncy over bumps as the new Ranger?

My '02 TRD Extended Cab was.

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[Dr. Zaius]

Is the Taco as bouncy over bumps as the new Ranger?

Depends on which model.

The main 2 versions are the Sport (firmer) and the TRD Off Road (softer)

When I was driving them, I felt that the TRD Off Road was similar to the Ranger with maybe a bit less dive when braking but overall pretty close.

Now with the Zone kit I would guess that mine is closer to the Sport Tacoma, though it has been months since I drove one so my calibrated situational memory may be just a wee bit suspect.

 

[Floyd]

Is this problem exclusively a 4WD issue?
My 2WD STX SuperCab doesn't exhibit any ride quality issues.
I'm guessing the things which make the 4WD better suited to off pavement also make it less suited to on road performance.
What say you all?

 

[thewhiteranger]

I say take a very long test drive - at least 1/2 hr over different roads to make sure you like it but I would check tire pressure first---- I think they run it high for shipping........ every one I drove was way over some up to 50 lbs -- this is a big investment that will hopefully be around a long time we wanna make sure we like it!
FWIW, I found the ride in the 4x4s to be better than the 2wds --- probably just me.... I wound up with the FX2 (2 wheel drive) which seemed to ride better than other XLTs yes its still firm but its a truck!

long test drives! any dealer that expects you to make a 30k decision in 5 minutes is not a good dealer to work with.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Is this problem exclusively a 4WD issue?
My 2WD STX SuperCab doesn't exhibit any ride quality issues.
I'm guessing the things which make the 4WD better suited to off pavement also make it less suited to on road performance.
What say you all?

I still say it's a personal preference and not an issue at all. There are obviously differences between any differing truck; XL, XLT, Lariat, STX, FX4, FX2, 2WD, 4WD, etc. From weight distribution, suspension components, tires, etc.

In the end though it doesn't matter how it feels, there's always going to be a portion of people who don't like it. Even exact truck to exact truck. Some people love the suspension performance of their FX4, myself included, while others hate their FX4 so much that they've immediately changed the suspension. I'd even be willing to bet a portion of people would say your 2WD STX Supercab exhibits ride quality issues, even though you love it. It's all personal preference, and all that matters is how the driver likes it in the end.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

I say take a very long test drive - at least 1/2 hr over different roads to make sure you like it but I would check tire pressure first---- I think they run it high for shipping........ every one I drove was way over some up to 50 lbs -- this is a big investment that will hopefully be around a long time we wanna make sure we like it!
FWIW, I found the ride in the 4x4s to be better than the 2wds --- probably just me.... I wound up with the FX2 (2 wheel drive) which seemed to ride better than other XLTs yes its still firm but its a truck!

long test drives! any dealer that expects you to make a 30k decision in 5 minutes is not a good dealer to work with.

My wife went to our local dealer a month or so ago to do a test drive for a new Escape. The salesman went with her and they essentially went around the block. What a waste of time. Anytime I take a test drive, I have my route of highway, city, rural, bumpy, curvy, dirt, pavement to test all aspects of the vehicle. Anything less and you don't really know what you're buying.

 

[Glocker]

I have an FX4 and I like it. It rides like a truck combined with an early 90's Lincoln luxury sedan.

 

[Hounddog409]

I have a FX4 and agree on less than perfect roads the ride is soft and could be considered "rolly" or bouncy.
I believe Ford wanted to make the ride between a truck and a SUV, it is much softer than the F150 I traded in and on a long trip or on decent roads the ride is as good as my wife's Edge......mission accomplished.

Well, the FX4 is tuned for offroad. That means that it is not designed for optimal on road performance or ride.

 

[Floyd]

I have an FX4 and I like it. It rides like a truck combined with an early 90's Lincoln luxury sedan.

but more like mid 2000's

 

[caprtaineddie]

My wife went to our local dealer a month or so ago to do a test drive for a new Escape. The salesman went with her and they essentially went around the block. What a waste of time. Anytime I take a test drive, I have my route of highway, city, rural, bumpy, curvy, dirt, pavement to test all aspects of the vehicle. Anything less and you don't really know what you're buying.

Around Atlanta, a test drive consists of going out on the interstate and putting the vehicle in park, because sitting in traffic is mostly what you're going to be doing.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Around Atlanta, a test drive consists of going out on the interstate and putting the vehicle in park, because sitting in traffic is mostly what you're going to be doing.

Hi Eddie,

OMG....we were in our RV with my little 07 Ranger in tow....about 63 ft long... Parked for hours on the freeway around Atlanta. Saving grace is that when my bladder was about to burst, I could sprint back to the bathroom and pee and back to the seat without backing up traffic in my lane. Wife and I vowed to never again go through Atlanta at any time of the day...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[T Bone]

Just traded in my '13 honda crv, I think my '20 xlt rides really nice, i enjoy it.

 

[gcan]

love my truck but get a coffee cup with a lid

 

[Floyd]

Hi Eddie,

OMG....we were in our RV with my little 07 Ranger in tow....about 63 ft long... Parked for hours on the freeway around Atlanta. Saving grace is that when my bladder was about to burst, I could sprint back to the bathroom and pee and back to the seat without backing up traffic in my lane. Wife and I vowed to never again go through Atlanta at any time of the day...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

I actually avoid the by pass but my rig is a lot smaller than yours....
I tow my Samp right through downtown Atlanta both ways to and from Florida every year, even once after the Highway collapse and once at 1:30PM on SuperBowl Sunday.
We just relax and know its at least a wasted hour. Atlanta drivers are so much nicer and accommodating than Chicago drivers.

 

[Glocker]

I actually avoid the by pass but my rig is a lot smaller than yours....
I tow my Samp right through downtown Atlanta both ways to and from Florida every year, even once after the Highway collapse and once at 1:30PM on SuperBowl Sunday.
We just relax and know its at least a wasted hour. Atlanta drivers are so much nicer and accommodating than Chicago drivers.

But Atlanta drivers are dumb. Just plain dumb! I can say this because I live here. I avoid driving to Atlanta like the plague, but in the metro areas where I live and work, people are selfish drivers or distracted drivers.

Some of the ridiculous behavior I get to suffer:
-Pulling out into the intersection while the light is green, then getting stuck in the intersection when the light is red blocking the intersection for everybody else.
-Sitting through light cycles playing on the phone.
-Cutting people off because it's more convenient.
(I had an un-marked Ford Ranger as my work vehicle, with police lights, sirens, radio, etc.. I got cut off while I was on my way home from work in a construction zone. The guy almost put me in the concrete barrier but panic braking saved the day. I pull the driver over and the guy says, "Well I didn't know you were a cop!" Too which I replied, "So it was okay to cut me off when you thought I wasn't a cop?")

I can't wait to move to the Caribbean!

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