F150 ride quality compared to F250

[FordGreek]

Hello everyone,
A few years ago I had a beautiful 6.2L 2014 F250 SC 4WD XLT. Unknown to me at the time the dealer found it, it was optioned with the Camper and Snow Plow springs. This basically turned it into a washboard ride on anything except new asphalt. Had to leave it after a few months and went to a F150 Crew Cab with the
3.5 Eco. Always wondered how the current generation F250 compared to the F150 (2021+) ride if the F250 has standard springs with the gas engine (as I believe the fronts are upgraded for the 6.7 diesel.

Anyone care to comment on their perception, Although not the same obviously, is the current F250 gas with no spring upgrade livable as an F150 for day to day?

Thanks

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[jiggadog]

between the 2020 f-350 diesel and 2017 f-150 i had, to be expected the F-350 is a bit rougher, but is a non-issue for me in terms of buying one vs the other. A lot of people have said it and it's true, ride quality is subjective, even though you can't argue the SD will have a more stiff ride how bad is not going to be the same for everyone.

 

[FordGreek]

Yes, as the SD series rides better with payload. Where I was going is that is seems you can price a SD and F150 pretty closely for ultimate reliability (NA engine and 6 speed or maybe refined 10speed). If someone wants the 6 speed (unavailable now on the F150), and a NA engine (the 6.2L on the F250) it gives you a choice with the SD. But being comfortable day to day is something to consider. So if the comfort factor is close....you can choose either setup.
However, the 3.3 is a little low on torque for most people. This could be remedied with getting the F250 6.2L and a bonus with the reliable 6 speed.

Something to consider. Just make sure you get the softest springs available on the 250.

 

[Mike D]

I traded in my 2019 F250 XLT FX4 6.2 for my 2021 F150 XLT FX4 3.5 and found it to be a huge difference in ride quality, as expected going from a straight front axel. I replaced the stock shocks & steering stabilizer on the F250 to Bilstein's. It helped a little, but not enough as I expected. Those pot holes in Maryland would jar your fillings loose. Going off road was a challenge too. The six speed trans was a little clunky, but the truck shined when towing or loaded down.

 

[FordGreek]

Thanks Mike, good info, pushed me to the 150...now a waiting game for the 22s.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

Hello everyone,
A few years ago I had a beautiful 6.2L 2014 F250 SC 4WD XLT. Unknown to me at the time the dealer found it, it was optioned with the Camper and Snow Plow springs. This basically turned it into a washboard ride on anything except new asphalt. Had to leave it after a few months and went to a F150 Crew Cab with the
3.5 Eco. Always wondered how the current generation F250 compared to the F150 (2021+) ride if the F250 has standard springs with the gas engine (as I believe the fronts are upgraded for the 6.7 diesel.

Anyone care to comment on their perception, Although not the same obviously, is the current F250 gas with no spring upgrade livable as an F150 for day to day?

Thanks

In a short answer, NO
F150 is a much smoother ride.

 

[Pedaldude]

I wanted a Super Duty with the 6.2 but the one I looked at (a single cab 4x4) needed an alignment and handled like shit. I think that the toe was set wrong, so it was wandering at any speed over 40mph. We took another one out and it was fine and way more comfortable (crew cab 4X4). The solid front axle on the Super Duty 4X4 is what gives the F-150 an advantage with its IFS. One simple way to assess ride quality is the ratio of sprung to unsprung weight and the less unsprung weight the better. Having huge solid axles is bad news for ride quality even before you factor in the fact that they can't move independently when dealing with road irregularities.

Even F-150s will have different ride qualities depending on their builds. My single cab longbed with the 9.75" Max Tow axle and HDPP spring rates is a rough ride compared with a crew cab with the lower GVWR springs and lighter 8.8" rear axle, despite having nearly the same wheelbases and nearly identical suspension geometry.

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