Rough ride on the road (2012 SuperCrew)

[Macman]

Once I pick up my Raptor this weekend, I will comment on my findings with the ride quality etc. I have driven regular F150s, lots of 1500s, 2500s, and 3500s as well as some modified F350s and some older Ford Broncos. So I will comment based on those experiences.

 

[eugeneorange]

I was also shocked how rough the ride was, when I first purchased my Raptor, after reading all the reviews about how smooth the ride is "Like riding on a marsh mellow". I thought for sure I had a defective suspension. The worst is driving over roads with re-leaf cuts or frost cracks, The rear suspension starts bouncing and feels like it cant keep up with it self, and you bounce up and down in your seat as you go down the highway. I think the name for this problem is Harmonics. I don't have any video for Raptors but Toyota has had this problem for years and seen videos of them experiencing the same problem.
Bouncing Baby Head - The Willybar - YouTube

---------- Post added at 10:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:15 AM ----------

I still don't have many miles on my Raptor but the suspension does seem to be getting better as it breaks in. Also the recommended 44 psi is probably a bit too high for every day driving.

Thank You!! That's EXACTLY what I'm talking about! I expected those (re-leaf cuts or frost cracks, etc.) to be swallowed up with grace.
I think there is a definite difference caused by something.

Mine is '12 SuperCrew. What is yours?
Could the road "feedback" be possibly caused by the longer wheelbase?
I know there are few other guys that experience the same thing.

Are all the 'smooth sailing' owners in SuperCabs? Are there any in '12 SuperCrews?

 

[whtrapta]

Are all the 'smooth sailing' owners in SuperCabs?

I am

 

[Squatting Dog]

Thank You!! That's EXACTLY what I'm talking about! I expected those (re-leaf cuts or frost cracks, etc.) to be swallowed up with grace.
I think there is a definite difference caused by something.

Mine is '12 SuperCrew. What is yours?
Could the road "feedback" be possibly cased by the longer wheelbase?
I know there are few other guys that experience the same thing.

Are all the 'smooth sailing' owners in SuperCabs?

I would say SCrews are prone to the galloping across expansion/frost cuts.. I notice it alot more in my 2012 SCrew verses 2011 SCab..

-Greg

 

[Humvee21]

Really an H2 rides better than a Raptor... I have driven an H2 and IMO it is not even close. The Raptor rides soooo much better and I am still on the 1st setting.

As far as the Beer Burner, Mercedes is a great car, my mom had the ML - whatever one the 8 cylinder is. I liked it she hated it. She had always driven the sedan Benz,. Just a learning curve.

All I am saying is that the H2 used to be my daily driver. It never drove this rough on the same roads. Now, the interior quality is another issue. But the ride quality is not better in the Raptor. You may have driven a H2 a few times, but do you really think that qualifies you to make a decent comparison of the 2 in terms of ride quality?

Fred did your mom have the ML63 it has the 6.2L V8

I think she had the ML500. The ML63 is not quite a mom's car.

Wait - you are 20 years old and already have a Hummer and Mercedes under your belt?

What are you going to be driving when your 40?.... A Bugatti Veyron.

I am jealous. I was driving a Chevy State Body with Farm Plates when I was 20. I thought the Granny gear was the coolest thing invented.

The H2 is my father's. He let me daily drive it after I sold the Mercedes.

Your Hummer is a chevy avalanche every last bit , I know they ride alot rougher than my 2 Raptors, Never really liked the H2 but LUV the H1.

Funny how I am just comparing the ride quality, and just the word "Hummer" has so much hatred. You can discuss the differences, or in your case similarities, on a more appropriate forum.

The H2 and 3 is nothing more than a glorified SUV. However the H1 is bad ass.

Again, the Hummer word and all the hatred already.

---------- Post added at 06:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------

I would say SCrews are prone to the galloping across expansion/frost cuts.. I notice it alot more in my 2012 SCrew verses 2011 SCab..

-Greg

You fixed that with the National's, correct?

 

[eugeneorange]

What helped my 2012 screw was doing perch mod and removing swaybar.. That calmed down the front harmonics. Getting the rear to stop skipping around national springs with a progressive 11 leaf pack took care of it. Now my 2012 SCrew rides better than my 2011 SCab..

-Greg

So before the mods, you experienced the same jitter and bounciness over minor road hits?

From what I understand, there are three position for the spring bottom on the front susp.
Stock is the bottom, and most guys raise the clip to the middle groove, correct?

That does increase the spring preload and should logically stiffen up the front even more.
Unless... that's where it was meant to be from the start, if the valving is matched for that portion of the susp. travel.
Plus, it think it might look bit more leveled.
Tx.

 

[PropDr]

I must say that my SCap was always very smooth on the freeway, but with an empty bed it was a bit harsh over expansion joints. I never had any problems driving over leafs (don’t know about re-leafs)
After installing the RPG stage three the ride is much better over ruff surfaces.

 

[Squatting Dog]

So before the mods, you experience the same jitter and bounciness over minor road hits?

From what I understand, there are three position for the spring bottom on the front susp.
Stock is the bottom, and most guys raise the clip to the middle groove, correct?

That does increase the spring preload and should logically stiffen up the front even more.
Unless... that's where it was meant to be from the start, if the valving is matched for that portion of the susp. travel.
Plus, it think it might look bit more leveled.
Tx.

Yes, in 2012 SCrew before mods it was noticable. After perch mod, deleting sway bar and national rear springs it is all gone now..

As far as adjusting preload on the front shocks.. Yes, it increases preload, but it raises the front end lengthing the shock. Which in turns keeps the piston head below the bypass holes longer.. So you get another .75 to 1 inch of bypassed travel before the shock starts stiffening up..


-Greg

 

[eugeneorange]

Agree with everything Greg says. I'm on mid perch with sway delete and national SD springs in the back.

It's hard for me to surf these forums at work now with Greg's sig and avatar.

How costly would these mods be? Any warranty-voiding issues?


+1 on Greg's avatar )

Tx.

---------- Post added at 06:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:27 PM ----------

having owned many trucks, 5 chevys, 1 dodge power wagon (last truck), I think the raptor rides great! mid perch for me, everything else stock.

SuperCrew or SuperCab?

 

[justvettn]

Thank You!! That's EXACTLY what I'm talking about! I expected those (re-leaf cuts or frost cracks, etc.) to be swallowed up with grace.
I think there is a definite difference caused by something.

Mine is '12 SuperCrew. What is yours?
Could the road "feedback" be possibly cased by the longer wheelbase?
I know there are few other guys that experience the same thing.

Are all the 'smooth sailing' owners in SuperCabs? Are there any in SuperCrews?

Yes I have the Super Crew.