157 wheelbase driving feel?

[Stap9716]

Hey guys
I have a 22 Larait sport 502A max tow 5.0 157 wheelbase 1,500 miles sofar
leveled 2.5 inches,295 70r18 falken wildpeaks,Bilstien 5100s (rear only)

To me it rides too soft like floaty i guess,everything i have changed so far has made improvements,dont really wanna buy complete new coil overs
up front,but will if that would change it I guess?

Anyone have any input on this,does the longer wheelbase just feel different?

Thanks


I am coming from a 2011 platinum 6.2 with 5.5 bed leveled with 35s,and before that was 2004 FX4 and a 99 xlt
so I have only had F150s since the 90S

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[Donnelly713]

im not an expert on this, but about a year ago I did drive same spec'ed out truck back to back between the two wheel bases. I felt they DEFINITELY had a different feel. I'd say the 157 felt more soft/floaty etc how you described. The regular 5.5 bed on the crew cab felt a bit more nimble.

both were great. wound up going with the 5.5bed bc I live in a coastal city with some tight parking around the beach towns.

 

[JohnMcClane]

I came from a 12th Gen 145” extended cab Ecoboost that actually felt more floaty than my 157”.

Two things I think you’re noticing.

1. Pretty confident the 145” Steel body of old weighed more than the 157” aluminum of new.

2. I don’t even need to look to say I am 100% confident the cast iron block on the 6.2 eats the 5.0 aluminum block for dessert.

“But John, the COG should be lower due to this displacement”

Yeah, Ford knows that, so they made the suspension softer to try and compete with GMs fully independent suspension, giving you a cushier ride.

 

[12Lariat21]

I had the same feeling in mine. So I just installed the Bilstein 5100s upfront as well, which made a huge difference. And it was just the shock that I changed up front, still factory springs. I set my at the +1.5" lift in the front.

The 5100's are adjustable up to 2" so I not sure what 2.5" lift you have installed, but if it is just the spacers, you could remove those and just set the 5100's at max lift.

Unfortunately the only way your going to fix the 'float' is better front shocks.

 

[Stap9716]

Well I guess thats next then
Thanks

 

[HammaMan]

157 has more weight on front end than shorter bed. I noticed a clear difference going from my 22 157 PB to the 22 145 PB. F150s also lack rear sway bars which are a must IMO.

 

[Snakebitten]

@12Lariat21 gets my nod.

I'd remove the level spacer up front and throw the 5100's on at their highest perch ring. It won't be a subtle improvement. You'll notice the improvement.

 

[Atlee]

Hey guys
I have a 22 Larait sport 502A max tow 5.0 157 wheelbase 1,500 miles sofar
leveled 2.5 inches,295 70r18 falken wildpeaks,Bilstien 5100s (rear only)

To me it rides too soft like floaty i guess,everything i have changed so far has made improvements,dont really wanna buy complete new coil overs
up front,but will if that would change it I guess?

Anyone have any input on this,does the longer wheelbase just feel different?

Thanks


I am coming from a 2011 platinum 6.2 with 5.5 bed leveled with 35s,and before that was 2004 FX4 and a 99 xlt
so I have only had F150s since the 90S

While a totally different animal, my last truck was a MY14 SCAB w/ 8' bed (163" WB). It was a HDPP truck, and the last of the steel bodied truck. Compared to that truck, my current MY22 SCREW PB 157" WB floats like the old interstate cruisers like Mercury Grand Marquis'.

The old truck came with OEM HD shocks and springs. It was the most planted truck I've driven and towed like a dream.

I just haven't done so yet, but I plan to put Bilstein 5100's on my current truck, both front and back. I do not plan to level it using the front Bilsteins though. I'll keep the original rake.

 

[Stap9716]

While a totally different animal, my last truck was a MY14 SCAB w/ 8' bed (163" WB). It was a HDPP truck, and the last of the steel bodied truck. Compared to that truck, my current MY22 SCREW PB 157" WB floats like the old interstate cruisers like Mercury Grand Marquis'.


Thats exctly what I think it feels like!!

I drove my 2011 today back to back with the new one and jeeze

 

[Stap9716]

That's exactly what I think it feels like!!

I dove the 2011 back to back today and jeeze!

 

[Stap9716]

Update: So I installed the Bilstein 6112s full assemblies on the stiffest setting from Shock Surplus
Improved for sure
But I am still looking for less body roll,really now the only thing I dislike is the side to side rocking I get when pulling into off camber parking lots or quick side to side steering movements


Don't really want rear sway bar because of off road clearance (unless someone makes one that doesn't affect it?)

So will a front aftermarket swaybar do anthing ?
Stiffer front springs? (don't even know if they offer them)

Any advice is appreciated

 

[780]

While a totally different animal, my last truck was a MY14 SCAB w/ 8' bed (163" WB). It was a HDPP truck, and the last of the steel bodied truck. Compared to that truck, my current MY22 SCREW PB 157" WB floats like the old interstate cruisers like Mercury Grand Marquis'.

I would agree with this.

But, as I've owned a couple Grand Marquis', Cadillac Fleetwood's and various full size Chevies, Oldsmobile's and Pontiac's, I didn't mind it. The cheese stands alone I guess...

 

[9663mu]

I came from a 12th Gen 145” extended cab Ecoboost that actually felt more floaty than my 157”.

Two things I think you’re noticing.

1. Pretty confident the 145” Steel body of old weighed more than the 157” aluminum of new.

2. I don’t even need to look to say I am 100% confident the cast iron block on the 6.2 eats the 5.0 aluminum block for dessert.

“But John, the COG should be lower due to this displacement”

Yeah, Ford knows that, so they made the suspension softer to try and compete with GMs fully independent suspension, giving you a cushier ride.

Which GM has full independent suspension ? I was under impression all GM trucks are LEAFs?

Also when you say the 6.2 eats 5.0 for lunch , do you mean the 6.2 is heavier ?

 

[JohnMcClane]

Which GM has full independent suspension ? I was under impression all GM trucks are LEAFs?

Also when you say the 6.2 eats 5.0 for lunch , do you mean the 6.2 is heavier ?

You're correct, GM has leafs on an axle out back, not sure why I got it it in my head it was full independent.

I was actually curious, so I went and looked up engine weights.

6.2 dry weight between 710 and 735 lbs

5.0 dry weight is around 450 lbs

 

[9663mu]

You're correct, GM has leafs on an axle out back, not sure why I got it it in my head it was full independent.

I was actually curious, so I went and looked up engine weights.

6.2 dry weight between 710 and 735 lbs

5.0 dry weight is around 450 lbs

The engine weight is very odd to me, right ? Physically the 5.0 looks alot bigger .

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