zn105
Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I am in search of the smoothest ride. I became very weary of the neck pain on the highways from the harshness of the larger highway seems and the wallowing feeling also. Ford must have worked hard to get both of these effects so perfectly. I have a 2019 4WD Lariat FX4. I tow a 3500lb pop up a few times per year and don't carry much load in the box very often. Extreme off road not a concern but occasional bumpy dirt roads.
1) So far I put Eibach shocks on the rear and they seemed to firm up the roll situation.
2) I then put the Icon springs on the rear and definitely a softer ride with the extra leaf left out. Would recommend this for the ride and additional flex.
3) A couple weeks ago I put on the Eibach Pro Truck height adjustable front struts set at 2.25" with stock springs. This seems to improve handling and the wallowing. Lower speed ride seems smother but I still have a harshness on the highway ride bumps.
In talking to Eibach tech about the harshness we had a conversation about spring rates. Their springs are slightly lower spring rates than original FX4 4WD. I started researching spring rates of original springs. I found a chart that indicates four spring rates depending on load capacity rating but it does not correlate them to model. Found some door stickers on line that seemed to indicate that 2WD models had the lowest front end GAWR. I found four Ford Ranger spring listings that do not indicate their rate or spring wire diameter like the chart does but does loosely indicate what Ranger model they are for with some discrepancies. I ordered two of the spring models that I thought were the lowest spring rate and figured I could use the height adjustment on my struts to make up any squat due to my heavier load on a lower spring rate. I thought I could confirm the lowest spring rate by measuring the wire diameter when they arrived. In the mean time I thought I would check the wire diameter of my springs assuming I had the third stiffest rate based on my GAWR and the chart. Well it turns out I already have the lightest spring rate available!
4) Trying to feel where that harshness might be I though maybe the Eibach in the front maybe the last piece because I discovered I already have the lowest spring rate. After some more highway driving I thought the rear was still a little harsh so I put the FX4' shocks back on the rear. It helped a little with the harshness! Not sure if I suffered in stability but I still have the Eibachs up front so they are helping with that. May try the Bilsteins in the rear.
? for the group
I ordered the Bilstein B8 5100 height adjustable for the front and am thinking of swapping out the Eibachs. Will it be a better ride on the highway and worth the 3-4 hour strut swap out? My goal now is to get rid of the harsh highway jarring. I would even put up with some of the wallowing for a softer ride if need be. Almost there.
Appreciate the thoughts and input.
1) So far I put Eibach shocks on the rear and they seemed to firm up the roll situation.
2) I then put the Icon springs on the rear and definitely a softer ride with the extra leaf left out. Would recommend this for the ride and additional flex.
3) A couple weeks ago I put on the Eibach Pro Truck height adjustable front struts set at 2.25" with stock springs. This seems to improve handling and the wallowing. Lower speed ride seems smother but I still have a harshness on the highway ride bumps.
In talking to Eibach tech about the harshness we had a conversation about spring rates. Their springs are slightly lower spring rates than original FX4 4WD. I started researching spring rates of original springs. I found a chart that indicates four spring rates depending on load capacity rating but it does not correlate them to model. Found some door stickers on line that seemed to indicate that 2WD models had the lowest front end GAWR. I found four Ford Ranger spring listings that do not indicate their rate or spring wire diameter like the chart does but does loosely indicate what Ranger model they are for with some discrepancies. I ordered two of the spring models that I thought were the lowest spring rate and figured I could use the height adjustment on my struts to make up any squat due to my heavier load on a lower spring rate. I thought I could confirm the lowest spring rate by measuring the wire diameter when they arrived. In the mean time I thought I would check the wire diameter of my springs assuming I had the third stiffest rate based on my GAWR and the chart. Well it turns out I already have the lightest spring rate available!
4) Trying to feel where that harshness might be I though maybe the Eibach in the front maybe the last piece because I discovered I already have the lowest spring rate. After some more highway driving I thought the rear was still a little harsh so I put the FX4' shocks back on the rear. It helped a little with the harshness! Not sure if I suffered in stability but I still have the Eibachs up front so they are helping with that. May try the Bilsteins in the rear.
? for the group
I ordered the Bilstein B8 5100 height adjustable for the front and am thinking of swapping out the Eibachs. Will it be a better ride on the highway and worth the 3-4 hour strut swap out? My goal now is to get rid of the harsh highway jarring. I would even put up with some of the wallowing for a softer ride if need be. Almost there.
Appreciate the thoughts and input.
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