ID what this is!

[MTF]

I will also state that some cut them off and haven't had an issue, so they claim.
It could be the type of roads they travel plus tire condition, that out comes are different.

 

[Jhollowell]

And that's the reason why it feels loose.

I'm not an automotive engineer but i talked to my cousin who is an engineer at Chrysler in the truck division and he said that part should not be loose like that. the purpose is to add weight to the frame to keep the vibrations down. most likely it was a problem they found after tooling was built and this was the cheaper fix. heavy pieces of steel should not be bouncing around on trucks like this. eventually the rubber will wear out and you'll get metal on metal contact which I've heard of in other posts. Ideally I'd like to hear from a ford engineer that knows the actual technical reason for this part although if its a fix to a mistake then its not likely they'll talk about it in a public forum. Or talk to someone with a newer truck and see if theirs is loose. I'm not sure if this part is on the Gen 2's but that would be one option to check a brand new truck and see if it's loose. Maybe someone at a dealership can crawl under one and see? the newest gen 1 is still 6 years old now so the likely hood of finding one that isn't worn out is slim. Would be good to have everyone check theirs and see if anyone has one that is bolted securely and doesn't move.

 

[Jakenbake]

I'm not an automotive engineer but i talked to my cousin who is an engineer at Chrysler in the truck division and he said that part should not be loose like that. the purpose is to add weight to the frame to keep the vibrations down. most likely it was a problem they found after tooling was built and this was the cheaper fix. heavy pieces of steel should not be bouncing around on trucks like this. eventually the rubber will wear out and you'll get metal on metal contact which I've heard of in other posts. Ideally I'd like to hear from a ford engineer that knows the actual technical reason for this part although if its a fix to a mistake then its not likely they'll talk about it in a public forum. Or talk to someone with a newer truck and see if theirs is loose. I'm not sure if this part is on the Gen 2's but that would be one option to check a brand new truck and see if it's loose. Maybe someone at a dealership can crawl under one and see? the newest gen 1 is still 6 years old now so the likely hood of finding one that isn't worn out is slim. Would be good to have everyone check theirs and see if anyone has one that is bolted securely and doesn't move.

I would think that if it were meant to be bolted down tight, to not allow movement, that it would not have rubber bushings that allow movement.

To me this seems more similar to a vibration damper on a compound bow. A mass suspended by a rubber bushing. Mathews used to use them a lot, may still, probably other brands too.

However, maybe the bushings do wear quickly due to the weight of it. As you said perhaps if the gen 2’s have them you could check and see how stiff they are.

 

[Big Blue]

I'm not an automotive engineer but i talked to my cousin who is an engineer at Chrysler in the truck division and he said that part should not be loose like that. the purpose is to add weight to the frame to keep the vibrations down. most likely it was a problem they found after tooling was built and this was the cheaper fix. heavy pieces of steel should not be bouncing around on trucks like this. eventually the rubber will wear out and you'll get metal on metal contact which I've heard of in other posts. Ideally I'd like to hear from a ford engineer that knows the actual technical reason for this part although if its a fix to a mistake then its not likely they'll talk about it in a public forum. Or talk to someone with a newer truck and see if theirs is loose. I'm not sure if this part is on the Gen 2's but that would be one option to check a brand new truck and see if it's loose. Maybe someone at a dealership can crawl under one and see? the newest gen 1 is still 6 years old now so the likely hood of finding one that isn't worn out is slim. Would be good to have everyone check theirs and see if anyone has one that is bolted securely and doesn't move.

I can save everyone the time of checking. They are all like that, both gen 1 and gen 2. The location is slightly different between the gens, but they both move around. If you look closely, it actually sits on a rubber bushing and its clearly designed to wobble around. I did remove mine on my gen 1 and never had any ill effect, but haven't bothered with the one on the gen 2 yet.

Took this video for a friend 5 years ago who asked the same question back then.

 

[Jhollowell]

I can save everyone the time of checking. They are all like that, both gen 1 and gen 2. The location is slightly different between the gens, but they both move around. If you look closely, it actually sits on a rubber bushing and its clearly designed to wobble around. I did remove mine on my gen 1 and never had any ill effect, but haven't bothered with the one on the gen 2 yet.

Took this video for a friend 5 years ago who asked the same question back then.

I assume that video was from a newer truck where it wouldn’t have had time to wear out? If so then i agree it should wobble around. Still seems weird that something that heavy should move like that but again i didn’t design it. I’ll leave mine alone until the rubber tears and i get metal on metal contact. Thanks for the video!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Big Blue]

I assume that video was from a newer truck where it wouldn’t have had time to wear out? If so then i agree it should wobble around. Still seems weird that something that heavy should move like that but again i didn’t design it. I’ll leave mine alone until the rubber tears and i get metal on metal contact. Thanks for the video!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes that vid was from a newer Gen 1. My Gen 2 moves around the same way.

 

[MTF]

Mine is 10 years old, it's still holding and if it gets too loose then I'll place some soft foam underneath it.

Here's one of the hundreds of old threads:
https://www.fordraptorforum.com/thr...-underside-of-bed-box-vibration-damper.18972/

 

[Gary E]

Mine is 10 years old, it's still holding and if it gets too loose then I'll place some soft foam underneath it.

Here's one of the hundreds of old threads:
https://www.fordraptorforum.com/thr...-underside-of-bed-box-vibration-damper.18972/

From that thread, Rick (RDFTS) posted:

>>>"...it is a Damper Assembly. Suppose to help bouncing of the bed. Retail is, get this.......$506 but at Tasca you can get it for only $335, lol

Better put that expensive part back on!!

TSB for it (guess Ford decided to keep it on for future years):

Tsb 07-5-11 Vibration/hop At 40-48 Mph - (8.0 Hz) - Trailer Hitch Equipped Vehicles Only
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FORD:
2005-2007 F-Super Duty

ISSUE:

Some 2005-2007 F-Super Duty vehicles with a long wheelbase of 156", 158", or 172" (396, 401, or 437 cm) and equipped with a trailer hitch may exhibit a vehicle vertical vibration, often described as "hopping", on smooth or coarse road surfaces in the 42-48 MPH (68-77 Km/h) speed range. Although this behavior is considered normal for an over 8500 GVW truck, some customers may be sensitive to the concern.
ACTION:

To improve the 42-48 MPH (68-77 Km/h) vertical vibration, follow the instruction sheet included in the Damper Service Kit.

NOTE: THE INSTALLATION OF THIS DAMPER WILL NOT IMPROVE RIDE ON SEGMENTED CONCRETE HIGHWAYS, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION/SHIMMY, OR GENERAL HARSH RIDE CONCERNS.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
5C3Z-5D008-A Damper Service Kit..."<<<