Softening the Ride…HELP!

[Deleted member 15875]

I'm running OEM wheels (18's) and just had 5100's installed in the rear. I'm not sure I like it.

It's now imbalanced feeling front to rear. Rear feels higher and more "sprung" which helps with the boat ride sensation, but the the ride in the rear bounces me around the cabin more. It's not as plush as stock, which also tended to absorb bumps better. At least for the street. I'm now getting a more jaring sesnsation when hitting speep bumps, etc. Not pleasant. Sure it can take much bigger hits now, but for the street this is pretty much non-existent.

The front feels like it's too soft in comparison and the ride is just uneven and off now. I was gonna wait for 6112's Billstein's to show up which should help balance things better, but now I'm considering going back to stock in the rear. It was a better ride, seperate than the boat-like feel.

I'm a bit torn at the moment. I ride offroad/MX dirt bikes and know a lot about suspension and setup and I'd describe these 5100's as having too much compression damping, at least compared to the front now.

So will the 6112's help this beast ride more balanced and work better or perhaps I'm just better off with oem springs. The $$$ outlay was minimal to this point.

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[Deleted member 15875]

I check my tires quarterly - they were down to around 28-29 psi (digital hand gauge)....

I have about 35psi in mind from when I got it...What's the range of pressure most are running for the street?

 

[EJH]

I'm running OEM wheels (18's) and just had 5100's installed in the rear. I'm not sure I like it.

It's now imbalanced feeling front to rear. Rear feels higher and more "sprung" which helps with the boat ride sensation, but the the ride in the rear bounces me around the cabin more. It's not as plush as stock, which also tended to absorb bumps better. At least for the street. I'm now getting a more jaring sesnsation when hitting speep bumps, etc. Not pleasant. Sure it can take much bigger hits now, but for the street this is pretty much non-existent.

The front feels like it's too soft in comparison and the ride is just uneven and off now. I was gonna wait for 6112's Billstein's to show up which should help balance things better, but now I'm considering going back to stock in the rear. It was a better ride, seperate than the boat-like feel.

I'm a bit torn at the moment. I ride offroad/MX dirt bikes and know a lot about suspension and setup and I'd describe these 5100's as having too much compression damping, at least compared to the front now.

So will the 6112's help this beast ride more balanced and work better or perhaps I'm just better off with oem springs. The $$$ outlay was minimal to this point.

IMHO, if you are only doing the rear shocks, go with Fox. Fox's are softer and match the OEM FX4 suspension in the front better. I only have the Fox rears, with FX4 front. When I really focus on it, I can feel that the front is more squishy than the rear, but it is subtle. The Blisteins and Eibachs are much more firm than Fox. I would not want to install those on just the rears, although many here do that.

 

[Deleted member 15875]

IMHO, if you are only doing the rear shocks, go with Fox. Fox's are softer and match the OEM FX4 suspension in the front better. I only have the Fox rears, with FX4 front. When I really focus on it, I can feel that the front is more squishy than the rear, but it is subtle. The Blisteins and Eibachs are much more firm than Fox. I would not want to install those on just the rears, although many here do that.

Thanks....I was just thinking the same - digressive vs progressive suspension. Fox is progressive so likely softer initially, then ramps later in the stroke. 5100's start stiff I'm guessing, then ramp down later. Do you have Fox 2.0's in the rear with the stock springs?

 

[EJH]

Thanks....I was just thinking the same - digressive vs progressive suspension. Fox is progressive so likely softer initially, then ramps later in the stroke. 5100's start stiff I'm guessing, then ramp down later. Do you have Fox 2.0's in the rear with the stock springs?

Yes, on stock Hankooks w/ 18" stock wheels.

 

[Progeny2021]

I have about 35psi in mind from when I got it...What's the range of pressure most are running for the street?

I recommend 32 psi cold unless towing a trailer. Thinking my tires were at 45 psi upon delivery....

 

[Progeny2021]

I'm running OEM wheels (18's) and just had 5100's installed in the rear. I'm not sure I like it.

It's now imbalanced feeling front to rear. Rear feels higher and more "sprung" which helps with the boat ride sensation, but the the ride in the rear bounces me around the cabin more. It's not as plush as stock, which also tended to absorb bumps better. At least for the street. I'm now getting a more jaring sesnsation when hitting speep bumps, etc. Not pleasant. Sure it can take much bigger hits now, but for the street this is pretty much non-existent.

The front feels like it's too soft in comparison and the ride is just uneven and off now. I was gonna wait for 6112's Billstein's to show up which should help balance things better, but now I'm considering going back to stock in the rear. It was a better ride, seperate than the boat-like feel.

I'm a bit torn at the moment. I ride offroad/MX dirt bikes and know a lot about suspension and setup and I'd describe these 5100's as having too much compression damping, at least compared to the front now.

So will the 6112's help this beast ride more balanced and work better or perhaps I'm just better off with oem springs. The $$$ outlay was minimal to this point.

ALWAYS match your shocks at all four corners to get uniform performance and wear.

 

[Deleted member 15875]

ALWAYS match your shocks at all four corners to get uniform performance and wear.

Yep....but many here have reported doing just the rears was a big improvement. I'm not onboard with this sentiment.

 

[JimmyFD43]

I see you modified your post without notation.

Common Wisdom dictates that if you put oversize tires on a vehicle, then one compensates by beefing up the suspension (better shocks for sure).

My tires are completely OEM as per the image-OEM shocks were woefully inadequate.

Occam's Razor thought process is only relevant if one used sound judgement from the start.

Simple definition: Occam's Razor is the problem-solving principle that "entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity".

That is just one of many "popular" versions...I personally like the one that states, "other things being equal, simpler explanations are generally better than more complex ones!" Cheaper, too, if the simpler one works...I am not of the mind that sound JUDGMENT is relevant: I just wanted free advice...lol

 

[lazynorse]

I'm in the minority, I love the ride of my FX4. Compared to my 2010 Subaru Outback and my wife's 2013 Hyundai Elantra, the FX4 is quieter, smoother, more composed, all around more comfortable. With this improvement, I find no fault that yet needs correcting. I do have a Snugtop canopy on order, and will swap the tires for Firestone Destination AT 255/75/17 Load Cs. Tires are part of suspension. With that and the canopy, I'll see how the ride changes. Maybe there's an improvement. Anyway, I don't relate at all to the FX4 hate. Somewhere along the line I'll consider suspension upgrade - I do intend on using this like my Subaru, meaning lots of off pavement adventures and camping.

 

[LostMy65]

Does the Ford Ranger have only two different suspension packages?
FX4 and Regular 4x4?

 

[lazynorse]

@LostMy65 the Tremor has a totally different package, parabolic leaf springs in the rear, Fox suspension with 2" lift, and I think 265/70/r17 General Grabber ATs. So, at least 3 distinct suspensions.

 

[LostMy65]

@LostMy65 the Tremor has a totally different package, parabolic leaf springs in the rear, Fox suspension with 2" lift, and I think 265/70/r17 General Grabber ATs. So, at least 3 distinct suspensions.

It's funny because we have people posting this and that about the ride, but it seems like if the question is about the ride of the FX4, only those who have experience with the FX4 should share their experience. Maybe I'm missing something, but there are several threads on this 'bouncy' 'head bobble' 'sea sickness' boat ride' suspension. Is one suspension package worse or better than the other?

 

[Bob902]

I grin from ear to ear now, especially after the shock-strut-moonroof install this year. A shame I paid nearly $1,100 to upgrade the shocks struts with what should have been OEM on a $43,500 pickup truck. Adjusted my Hankook tire pressures to 32 psi - Lariat feels like it's riding on well cushioned/controlled rails.

I have the 18" inch wheels and Hankook tires as well. Lowered the psi to 32. Fox 2.0 in the rear with factory FX4 in the front. I think it rides fantastic now.

 

[Shoran12]

After reading this and researching online, I feel you're right. So I cancelled my Bilstein order and am getting a set of Fox 2.0 for the rear and see if that helps. It's not body roll I care about, its the inability of the rear to absorb bumps and imperfections.

Did your suspension upgrades help this? What did you end up going with?

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