A previous thread went over this briefly with the consensus that the L certainly isn't a Caddy and that the stiffness of the tuned SVT suspension is to be expected... which I agree with. However after just 200 miles in my new L I think I'm going to want to do something about the ride. I ride 60+ miles a day on concrete slabs and the bounce is getting to my back.

It seems to me that the bulk of this bounce is coming from the front coil springs and that a replacement with another spring of somewhat less aggressive rate would do wonders. Selection of the spring would need care because the chassis is already lowered, so a stock F150 spring wouldn't necessarily work, etc. Does anyone (with a sore back) have more info on this; spring, shocks, other? TIA.

-tvw

 

Try putting a load in the back, and see if that helps.

The most jostling I noticed was from the rear, not the front. When I added the hard tonneau, it took some of the harshness out of the rear suspension.

Regards,
Gordon

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Regards,
Gordon

99.5 Red Lightning
Only driven on Sundays (1/4 mile at a time)

 

MY 2000 L rides better than my 92 F150 XLT ever did. I like the ride just fine. It's one of the best riding trucks I have ever had the peasure to experience. With Emphasis on TRUCK.

Though I do have a snuglid, that may have helped...

Doug

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Got Silver 2000 Lightning 2/28/00!!
1st run 13.9 sec 1/4 !!
Doug
Carrollton TX
drbdkb@hotmail.com
Had 87 Turbo Coupe traded for
92 F150 XLT 302, Put K&N Filter, cat back and Chip on 92 Still not enough.

Silver 2000 Lightning, Valentine 1, Snuglid, Bedrug and K&N Filter. Have Sals Chip and Filter on order, cant wait.

 

I can't believe that anyone could have a problem with how the L drives. I am amazed how smooth the truck is.

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2000 Black Lightning, Snuglid,Clear corners,Lightning banner, tinted windows
delivered Apr 6. NLOC #377

 

While I like the way my truck rides, I would have to agree with earlier suggestions that the problem is with the rear springs. Try removing a leaf from the rear springs or adding some weight. It'll do wonders for the ride smoothness.

 

I drive a 24 mile bridge w/expansion joints every 30ft, each day to work. has a pretty good bounce to it at a steady speed. i'd have to agree with the rest of these guys, that the rear is the problem. when i installed my roll & lock bed cover (about 100lbs), bounce disappeared.

 

tvw: I know I don't belong on the L forum, but Eibach will custom build you a spring to your specifications. Rate, length, etc. Check them out.

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1995 F-150 Regular Cab Flareside w/ 302 V8... Mods: Mass Air, K&N FIPK, Dual Exhaust (no mufflers), Lund Premier Tonneau Cover, Motorsports 9mm Plug Wires, full JL/Kicker/Pioneer system

The F-150 Resource Guide

The F-150 Resource Guide-- a site dedicated to 1987 through 1996 F-series trucks.

 

Jason

As long as you pay the appropriate homage to the lightning we will welcome anyone. While you are here we will encourage you to change your sinful ways and get a lightning.'



Doug

 

I had a pretty good bounce going on my ram, also on my commute. a set of Rancho 9000's shocks smoothed it out completely. they have 5 settings, are very easy to reach under and turn selector switch. i used the 2 setting (pretty soft) and still rides great. i can set it at 5 for the strip and get no hop and pretty good traction.

 

TVW - Before investing in a new set of springs, try a different set of shocks. Shocks have a much greater impact on your ride quality than the springs do. They are also much cheaper to buy and install.

Removing a leaf from the rear will only cause the rear end to lose travel and spring capacity. You will just end up being able to bottom out the truck more easily.

Ride quality is a very subjective thing, just like music. What you like is not necessarily what I like. Don't be afraid to make changes to make yourself happy with this truck.

Strohm

 

Removing a leaf from the rear spring would also give you severe axle hop due to wind-up of the axle under acceleration.

I you really need a softer ride, change tires to something with a taller sidewall...

 

In a previous post someone suggested that the low profile tires caused a rough ride. I mounted my wifes Expediton 65 series tires on my L and got a slightly smoother ride over small road imperfections. My main concern though is the hiway bounce i get on the California concrete hiways that seem to come standard with small waves. These waves cause a severe bounce at hiway speed(65-80mph) but go away at 95mph. I put 900 pounds of steel in the back of the truck and that took care of the rear bounce but did nothing for the front bounce. Has anyone tried putting standard f150 springs,leafs and shocks in the L to tame this bronco?? I suspect that just changing shocks wont change the stiffness of the overall suspension setup, it will still be over-sprung and with weaker shocks, also under dampened. Please advise. Thanks!

 

As evidence mounts I'm beginning to believe that the 295-45ZR18s are not the principal player in the concrete slab bounce. I had -much- less rubber between rim and road on my '99 Cobra (245-45ZR17s) and it had no problems whatever with slab bounce.

I've gotten to where I can sort it out now as it happens; first you feel something in the steering wheel, followed quickly by a strong upward kick in the back. The upward kick is the killer. There's no doubt in my mind and elsewhere that the problem is the uncontrolled unloaded rear end. While the low-profile tires don't help, I don't believe they are the major issue. The problem is the strong springs and shocks combo that is set to control much heavier loads, i.e. haul it or tow it. What is needed is likely a gas pressure shock (Bilstein comes to mind, but apparently they don't yet have an application for the L) that adapts to the operating conditions to control excess motion. I agree with suggestions that modification of the spring should be avoided, so I'm looking for any info on a shock that has been found to "cool off" the bronco rear end.

-tvw

 

Another issue with this rear end bronco function is loss of performance and increased risk in cornering maneuvers. I'd hate to set the suspension in a strong cloverleaf corner, hit a little groundswell, and lose the back end. With the bed moving upward so violently the tread is unloaded and perhaps even off the ground if the bump is big enough. Guess I'd better take it easy for a while until this is sorted out.

-tvw

 

You may also consider the length of the wheelbase as the culprit to. When your hitting those waves in the concrete it will act differently in a car with a shorter wheelbase as oppose to a longer one.

Concrete roadways are notorious for not being flat. I wouldn't change anything myself, but I like good solid suspension.