Samson16
Well-known member
- First Name
- Kyle
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2023
- Threads
- 8
- Messages
- 2,036
- Reaction score
- 1,862
- Location
- Orlando, FL.
- Vehicles
- '22 F-150 XLT Powerboost Super Crew 4x4
- Occupation
- Aviation systems
Hey Dustin, your post was quite readable for me.Greetings from New Mexico!
Short time lurker, first time poster!
At the end of March, I purchased a new 2023 3.5EB Max Tow FX4 short-bed and generally love the truck.
What I have been less-than-enamored with, however, is the ride. On perfect pavement, at lower speeds, it is extremely smooth. However, at highway/freeway speeds, the thing is jittery as [insert colorful metaphor here]. The 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins I replaced (and am sorely missing at the moment) rode way smoother at highway/freeway speeds.
This new truck came with the 20" Hankook Dynapro AT2 tires. I first had those tires rebalanced at the dealership. Then I tried having those tires replaced with Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Then I had those road-forced and re-road forced several times. Not sure I'm welcome at that Discount Tire location anymore. I've tried replacing the rear shocks with the Fox 2.0 and the Bilstein 5100. Both were easier to compress than the stock shocks (which goes against the stories I've read about the pre-14th gen trucks). I've also dropped the PSI in all the tires to levels most of you would probably consider irresponsible. Anyway, I've basically come to the conclusion that, barring some problem with the driveline, this truck just rides like, well, a truck. I have come to realize I basically bought the stiffest F-150 you can get.
That all said, I'm looking at sizing down the tires to 18". I ordered the Tremor wheel kit from Ford which I think will look awesome on my gray blacked-out Platinum truck. However, I'm a little concerned with what I'm finding on load ranges on tires for smaller wheels. It appears, to keep my factory circumference (going from 275/60R20 to 275/70R18) would basically require I change from SL to E rated tires.
So, after all my jabbering, here's the question for you experts out there - will 18" E rated tires give me a softer ride than the 20" SL rated tires I have now? If not, what would you recommend I do? (I realize that's actually 2 questions)
Thanks for sticking with me all this way (I know I tend to get wordy), apologies for my overuse of parenthesis, and thanks in advance for any advice and opinions!
-Dustin
My PB has sort of a "motor coach" feel to it. Kind of boaty and soft bouncy. It is jittery and hard over speed bumps compared to my H3 though.
Have you tried loading the bed down to see if that helps? That might help separate the tires from the suspension regarding ride quality.
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