THE RANGER BOUNCE

[t4thfavor]

The rocking back and forth test was failed because there isn't a rear swaybar... The offroad shocks should stop the body roll faster anyways. Feels like someone dropped the ball when engineering both the FX4 and regular Rangers as it's a pretty ubiquitous claim across the different models that the ride is harsh and body roll is extreme.

I got used to it, but it's definitely something that should be addressed with AT LEAST a rear swaybar (even if it's a weak one).

My guess is a nice set of aftermarket Eibach, or Fox shocks would make it worlds better.

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[HenryMac]

I test drove an XLT 4x4 non-FX4 and an XLT FX4 back to back two weeks ago. I was concerned about the FX4 tuning and wanted to determine which to purchase. I did not drive them at higher speeds (above 45 MPH) but I was targeting the roughest pavement I could find to see how the ride was for each package. I found the two to have similar feeling dynamics overall but with one exception; when the FX4 hit a hole or section of raised concrete the initial impact of the tires was less harsh. Based on my test drives I decided to go after the FX4 due to the conditions of the roads on my work commute loop...just like driving off road.

I hope this helps.

Looking at your "Vehicle(s) List" I gotta ask, are you talking about your F-150, or do you own a Ranger?

And did you look at the tire pressures on both trucks? On our Ranger, when we picked it up it had 48 PSI in the tires, we dropped them to 38 PSI.. huge difference in the rebound of tires.

 

[Rp930]

This whole “Bounce” thing is getting blown out of proportion. The more I drive it the more I like it. Good combination of off and on road performance. I do run 32 lbs which I like.

 

[Johnpenn]

I recently drove a total of about 1500 miles between my home in TN and Buffalo, NY and back. I took I-75, I-71, I-271 and I-90 both ways. There are many rough areas and lots of road work on that route including a short section of I-90 in NY that is unmaintained and very rough. I was happy with the highway performance of my FX4 Lariat SuperCrew carrying approximately 150lbs of luggage in the bed for two people on the trip. I drove about 5-8 MPH above the speed limit most of the way and had no memorable uncomfortable ride events.

 

[DavidR]

I test drove an XLT 4x4 non-FX4 and an XLT FX4 back to back two weeks ago. I was concerned about the FX4 tuning and wanted to determine which to purchase. I did not drive them at higher speeds (above 45 MPH) but I was targeting the roughest pavement I could find to see how the ride was for each package. I found the two to have similar feeling dynamics overall but with one exception; when the FX4 hit a hole or section of raised concrete the initial impact of the tires was less harsh. Based on my test drives I decided to go after the FX4 due to the conditions of the roads on my work commute loop...just like driving off road.

I hope this helps.

Hi Dan,
That's basically what I did as well. You can't generally test drive a truck off-road, but I found some rutted roads and some empty parking lots with speed bumps and potholes that I could hit at higher speed than you would normally hit them. We have a lot of bad roads where we live, and went with the FX4 even though we are only occasional off-roaders. We're definitely used to it now and it doesn't bother us.

We only test drove the Colorado once and it was many months ago, so I don't remember it that well, but it's probably the case that even the non-FX4's ride is a little more bouncy or tossy, I'm not sure. I'm happy with the way it is right now, but I did take a look online, and for someone who wants a Ranger but really wants a different ride, there are after-market shocks from Fox and others that allow you dial in the response. I'm not personally into crawling under the truck and doing that every time I switch between local bad roads and highway trips, but maybe that's the solution for some folks.

 

[dceggert]

Looking at your "Vehicle(s) List" I gotta ask, are you talking about your F-150, or do you own a Ranger?

And did you look at the tire pressures on both trucks? On our Ranger, when we picked it up it had 48 PSI in the tires, we dropped them to 38 PSI.. huge difference in the rebound of tires.

The test drive I was on was with two Rangers. I was concerned reading about the 'Ranger Bounce' that some attributed to the FX4 package. I wanted to get the feel myself before I made a costly mistake. I pick my XLT FX4 up tonight. The F150 XLT, driven over the same route that I took those two Rangers turned out to have an even rougher ride for which I was shocked since I drove that truck for 20 years and always felt the ride was great. In defense of the F150, it was a 1999 so a lot of improvements have happened over the years. I did seek out the worst of the worst of the worst (opposite the quote in Men in Black) road conditions to test the Rangers on however. The FX4 was less harsh.

Original thread for the back story:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/fx4-package-or-just-the-4x4-with-locking-axle.4219/

 

[CompDude]

https://www.ksl.com/article/46650847/review-4-days-with-the-2019-ford-ranger-lariat

 

[Ranger Danger]

There is a truck bounce with the Ranger 4x4, though it's a smooth ride over-all with no harsh hits like most full size trucks I have drove. There is a big diff. between the Tacoma SR5 (same as the Limited), TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road models. I liked the Tacoma Off-Road best as it was close to my 2003 SR5 Tundra's ride, just much better. I test drove a 2019 Ranger STX/FX4 first for that reason. Ended up with the Lariat 4x4 as it's not as huge a diff IMO on the Ranger...just better adjustability of the 4x4 system.

 

[HenryMac]

I test drove a 2019 Ranger STX/FX4 first for that reason. Ended up with the Lariat 4x4 as it's not as huge a diff IMO on the Ranger...just better adjustability of the 4x4 system.

Adjustability? So what are you adjusting?

 

[Ranger Danger]

Adjustability? So what are you adjusting?

Explained as the ability to adjust to new surroundings…as in the Terrain Management System which can be used in 4H, and 4L specifically. Also having the electronic-locking rear differential.

 

[HenryMac]

Explained as the ability to adjust to new surroundings…as in the Terrain Management System which can be used in 4H, and 4L specifically. Also having the electronic-locking rear differential.

FYI: The Terrain Management System is included with the FX4 package regardless of trim level. My XL has it, including the locking rear differential and the silly screen that shows what angle the truck is .

 

[Ranger Danger]

FYI: The Terrain Management System is included with the FX4 package regardless of trim level. My XL has it, including the locking rear differential and the silly screen that shows what angle the truck is .

Right on, meaning I test drove a truck with and without FX4, and found the ride confrot about the same

 

[zn105]

I picked up my Lariat FX4 Ranger last week and my neck started to get sore on the 2 hour highway ride home. I felt like a bobble head. A couple days later I was in 30mph City driving and my wife's voice was skipping as we drove over the bumps, many filled in pot holes etc.. and she mentioned the harsh ride. I had Jeeps for many years and she never complained. Overall not happy with the ride. Everything else is great but have actually sought out solutions to this terrible ride. :-(

 

[Rp930]

I picked up my Lariat FX4 Ranger last week and my neck started to get sore on the 2 hour highway ride home. I felt like a bobble head. A couple days later I was in 30mph City driving and my wife's voice was skipping as we drove over the bumps, many filled in pot holes etc.. and she mentioned the harsh ride. I had Jeeps for many years and she never complained. Overall not happy with the ride. Everything else is great but have actually sought out solutions to this terrible ride. :-(

And what is your tire pressure. Wouldn’t be the first one delivered over filled.

 

[Ranger Danger]

I picked up my Lariat FX4 Ranger last week and my neck started to get sore on the 2 hour highway ride home. I felt like a bobble head. A couple days later I was in 30mph City driving and my wife's voice was skipping as we drove over the bumps, many filled in pot holes etc.. and she mentioned the harsh ride. I had Jeeps for many years and she never complained. Overall not happy with the ride. Everything else is great but have actually sought out solutions to this terrible ride. :-(

And what is your tire pressure. Wouldn’t be the first one delivered over filled.

Good call out here, my tire pressure was WAY OFF from the dealer and so many dealers do this, always happened on my Tacoma. The Ranger was F: 36/41 R: 42/42 and it was vibrating so bad at highway speeds, and rough at lower speeds. Got home and lowered to 32 Cold and they run at 32/33 hot…ride was light and day. Also have found the ride has smoothed out once I hit 500miles or so and at just over 1K now.

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