The Ford F-150 is noted for its comfortably smooth ride. However, it is a truck, and it can be tricky to have a smooth ride under different driving and load conditions. It has a half-ton load capacity and is also used for towing, and a smooth ride is not usually associated with these conditions. Other conditions also do not contribute to smooth rides for any vehicle, especially when towing a load.
To make your Ford F-150 truck ride smoother you can upgrade the truck’s suspension, replace the shocks, install air suspension system and balance and rotate the tires.
The Ford F-150 is a comfortable and smooth driving experience without a heavy load or trailer. If you want to improve on the Ford F-150’s ride, below are the details about the things that you can do.
Upgraded suspension components
There are after-market and OEM suppliers for upgrading suspension components. These include the springs, axle suspensions, and others.
The Ford F-150 has a front independent suspension where the front wheels and suspensions are not directly connected, and their move front left and right moved independently of one another.
The rear has a solid axle suspension. Almost all trucks have these kinds of suspension, which could be easily upgraded with better third-party components to improve and make for a smoother ride.
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Install air suspension system
An air suspension system is an improvement over the standard F-150 suspension system, which can smooth out the ride. For trucks with a short wheelbase, an air suspension can reduce bouncing over rough roads and off-road terrain when the vehicle is empty.
An air suspension system has an air compressor that pumps air to the air bags and adjusts the ride height based on the vehicle’s speed and loads weight.
Having air bags just on the rear axle helps with leveling out the truck when hauling something heavy or towing a fifth-wheel or a trailer.
Replace worn shock absorbers.
Normal wear and tear occur in trucks and other vehicles. Operating a Ford F-150 under regular heavy load or hauling can weaken shocks.
Worn suspension parts can lead to bouncy rides or poor shock absorption. It would help if you replaced these worn shock absorbers an springs when they no longer provide a smooth ride.
New shocks or even upgraded ones will give the truck a smooth ride and prevent all the bumps and dips in the road transfer to the truck.
Balance and rotate tires regularly
With use, the Ford F-150’s tire tread will wear off unevenly. It’s a normal condition but can make driving difficult and result in an uncomfortable, bumpy, wobbly or loud ride.
Wheel balancing refers to compensating for any load imbalance between the wheels. Correctly balanced wheels result in a smooth ride, increased safety and stability, less tire wear, and allow the tires to spin without vibrations.
Tire rotation should also be done regularly, every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Rotating the wheels between them helps to balance the tire wear. Even tire wear for all four wheels leads to a smoother ride and better driving experience.
Check tire pressure
Check tire pressure regularly. Different driving and environmental conditions perform best under different tire pressure. When the tire pressure is too high, the tires do not absorb as many road bumps, which also puts more pressure on the suspension system.
In some driving conditions like heavy rain or in deep snow or sand, it is recommended that the tires should be under-inflated to allow more grip on the pavement.
Install anti-sway bars
An anti-sway bar (also called a roll bar or stabilizer) connects the strut’s control arms and helps stabilize the vehicle during turns. It prevents too much roll during turns and results in smoother vehicle handling.
Anti-sway bars are important safety features for trucks and other high-clearance vehicles, and it also prevents uneven wheel alignment and maintains a better grip on the pavement.
Vehicles typically have to slow down at turns, but on highways, the vehicle may not be able to slow down enough. The higher turning speed results in a significant body roll for a truck with a high center of gravity, and Anti-sway bars limit the vehicle from swaying or rolling. Which, in turn, allows for the vehicle to take turns at a faster speed.
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Consider upgrading to high-performance tires.
High-performance tires provide increased handling response and road traction. This is important for wet and dry conditions. High-performance tires have a better grip on the road, which a driver would appreciate during high-speed driving.
These tires are designed for better handling and maximum grip at high speeds. The better grip also results in a shorter stopping distance.
High-performance tires also prevent road noise which makes for a smoother ride.
Conclusion
The Ford F-150 is proven for its performance, speed, and power, and it also has a smooth ride and handling that drivers appreciate very much. But when driving long distances, any improvements in the riding experience are much appreciated.
Like other trucks in its class and more significantly, the high center of gravity and body clearance does not contribute to a smooth ride. Even though the F-150 straight out of the factory has a smooth ride, we have just went over some other ways to improve the riding experience.
Valik loves tinkering in the garage and is currently restoring a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 truck. He also writes about the progress on this blog. When not in the garage, Valik is also a web developer and a blogger. I know, strange, a hand in two completely different worlds. And that is the way he likes to keep it.
