Wanted to get everyones attention...

I recently bought a new F-150 (see sig) and I am so dissapointed at its handling. I know it is a truck and 90% of the time It rides just fine. But when I am on the Beltway here in Houston or any other stretch of highway it is a different story. As soon as I am in a slight turn or curve and hit a bump or crack in the road, the truck shakes violently side to side. Everyone looking around thinks I am drunk or am going to loose control of the vehicle. I sure don't want to put my wife in this thing and have her freak out when she encounters this.

I am thinking about ditching the crumy stock wheels and tires(235/70/16) for some 17" wheels and wider tires to see if it helps?? Any thoughts on that?

The other alternative is get rid of the truck and get a super cab or crewcab? I would think that the extra weight would correct my problem? What do you guys think?

Would a rear sway bar fix that problem?

Thank you for any help or advice.

 

If you think the handling of these these trucks suck, you havent driven many trucks I suspect. Put some wider wheels/tires and a rear sway bar on it and it will improve. But you will also have a stiffer ride so be prepared.

 

When I got my new 99 F150 back in 99, I had something simiarl. After about 10,000 miles, my Dad drove it while visiting and told me his, also a 99 exactly like mine did not do that.

I took it in and the dealer called me back and told me he fixed the problem, turns out the whole front end suspension was loose, none of the bolts were tight or even remotely close to torque specs. He swore no damage had been done, and once I drove it fixed, it was night and day.

As far as no damage, well, I'll never know, that truck is gone, and I'm now in a F-250 superduty which handles like a bulldozer/dump truck on the highway.

 

Frank S---

Just so no one else suspects. I am 23 years old.

I have owned:

97 Nissan reg. cab hard body.

00 Nissan ext. cab 4x4

01 Nissan sentra se

89 mustang lx

02 F-150

The 00 Nissan wasn't a bad handler at all. And I am hoping that after some slightly wider tires and maybe a rear sway bar my problem will be fixed. Thanks guys.

 

I mean a REAL truck man! j/k Seriously, my old '97 handled great but it was vastly improved with Edelbrock IAS shocks, rear sway bar, and a 2" drop in the rear.

 

If they would have just given me my A-plan price on the Lightning this would all be solved! LOL

Seriously though. I am really concerned about the handling since I bought this truck for my wife (getting married June 1st) I will be trading her sunfire in on somethnig else for me. I just want her to be safe in the truck.

I am a BIG worry wart I guess..

 

Its a Ford Roger!

 

steeda puts the rear axles over the leaf springs to decrease wheel hop,i've heard helper springs can do the same thing.mine handles alot better now that i cranked the torsion bars,i know everybody says it screws up the alignment,but mine works great,handles twice as good.

 

i also have 17'' wheels

 

you can also try stiffer shocks. i have ranchos and i LOVE them, but they are a little stiff. ive heard only great things from the edelbrock IAS shocks, however. front and rear sway bars will help also.

 

Take it to the dealer. Let them look at it. If it is all over the road then there is something wrong. I had a 98 F150 and now have an 01 F150. Neither of which handled like what you describe.

Before tring to fix or improve the handling with aftermarket stuff, take it to the dealer to ensure it is working properly!

 

Look into a Hellwig rear sway bar and maybe some new shocks. The sway bar will make the truck corner like a car.

 

And keep taking it back untill you are satisfied that it is fixed.

 

I wouldn't change a thing until the dealer gave it a clean bill of health. I'm on my 3rd F-150 of the new body style and I haven't experienced any of the problems that you have described, but they have all been 4x4 S'cab's. If you do decide to change anything, I highly recommend the Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks. They do wonders for the ride and handling.

 

My 97 handled great. Of course, I have only owned SUV's and Pickups for the last 30 years. And I have always changed the stock shocks at first chance. ( I like a firm ride.)But I have to agree with everyone else, have the dealer check it out. Could be something serious. That new truck should not handle that bad.

Good luck.