Do all HD pickups ride rough?

[dstig1]

That wide axle was an option for the F350 at one time. No idea if you can still specify it these days.

Interesting. Never heard about that before.

 

[RayIN]

I haven't driven a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup since the '80s. My trucks have been 1/2 tons or less. I test drove a recent model Chevy 3/4 ton today. It was nice but I felt every bump. I realize the extra carrying capacity requires stiffer springs but it rode stiffer than I expected. Do all modern HD trucks ride like that? My Tundra's not smooth for sure but has more compliance. The Chevy had a tire pressure monitor and the tires were at 58-60. Do people lower the tire pressure when running unladen?

That depends on tire pressures; were they inflated to sidewall listed pressure? Or were they inflated to the federal tire placard pressures?
My cousins son bought a new 1T GMC 4x4 fully-loaded diesel and it rides better than my ½-T chevy.

 

[deserteagle71]

Interesting. Never heard about that before.

I almost ordered one. Lots of articles out there about the years this was available and how to tell if an F350 was equipped with the wide front end. Depending on the year it would have Option 67W or 535 on the build sheet. Here's an article from Moog, who supplies front end parts:

Selecting the Right Tie Rod End for Ford Super Duty Trucks

Learn how to select the right tie rod end for Ford Super Duty F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks by measuring the diameter of the threaded portion of the tie rod.

www.moogparts.com

 

[deserteagle71]

Maybe on the Chassis Cab, not the pickup bed trucks.

https://www.powerstroke.org/threads/wide-track-fat-boy-pickup-front-axle-id-and-specs.1392729/

 

[Blue Mule]

I guess you didn’t read my post. A F150 that weighs 5600 lbs but can carry 2560 lbs is gonna ride LIKE A TRUCK WITH SOLID SUSPENSION.

It also gets 14 MPG.

Nope. I've had several F-150s before. Still have one left today. 100% different ride quality. F-150 has IFS, less rigid chassis, lower ride height, different shocks, the whole nine yards. Not the same rough ride at all.

 

[Fixastuff]

Interesting. Never heard about that before.

I had a 08 f450 8ft bed drw. A super long truck but turned way tighter than my old 2011 f150 8ft bed or current ram 2500 with a 6.5ft bed.

Was nice for parking lots and sharp intersections but made the most difference backing a trailer up.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Nope. I've had several F-150s before. Still have one left today. 100% different ride quality. F-150 has IFS, less rigid chassis, lower ride height, different shocks, the whole nine yards. Not the same rough ride at all.

I love my F350, but yeah, the ride doesn't compare to an equivalently modern F150. I never thought the ride on my truck was rough, but a friend picked up a '20 F150 and it drives like a car.

No comparison.

 

[RayIN]

I understand what you're saying, and on paper it makes sense, but it doesn't really work out that way. My truck has 18" wheels (smallest possible due to brake rotor size) and 35x12.50 tires with lots of sidewall, and I run them 10 psi under sticker. It still rides like garbage.

I have been told that the F-350 actually rides slightly better than the F-250 because on the 1-ton they use a smaller main leaf pack and then add "overload" leafs for carrying large loads. So when running empty you actually get a softer ride. I cannot confirm.

I do know that if I had to buy another truck right now, I'd order a F-150 instead and add the high capacity payload package to it. Those are much lighter and efficient trucks, with much better ride quality, yet they have the same payload as my F-250 and they are within 1,000 lbs. of max trailer rating also. Seems like the perfect truck.

As I posted previously, my cousins son bought a new GMC Serria 1T SRW. He said it rides much better empty than his previous 2022 GMC 3/4T Serria.
He buys new every 2 yrs. since his dad retired from GM.
The only reason auto mfgrs went to larger dia. rims is the increased brake size. At least with autos, suspension was redesigned to counter narrower sidewall tires reduced flex area.

 

[orezok]

Nope. I've had several F-150s before. Still have one left today. 100% different ride quality. F-150 has IFS, less rigid chassis, lower ride height, different shocks, the whole nine yards. Not the same rough ride at all.

If you haven’t owned a F150 with HDPP, then you don’t know what you don’t know!

 

[ericm979]

The only reason auto mfgrs went to larger dia. rims is the increased brake size. At least with autos, suspension was redesigned to counter narrower sidewall tires reduced flex area.

I'm sure there's some of that but it's also a fashion thing. Large wheels and tires with small sidewalls are in. I was waiting around at a Mercedes dealer for a used Chevy truck to arrive from another lot so I could test drive it, and I checked out the vehicles in the lot. A lot of SUVs with 35 or 30 series tires.

The Chevy I bought can be had with 17", 18" or 20" wheels. The brake discs are the same across the trim levels.