Ways to improve "jittery" ride?

[lightspeed]

Lariat ER with the 20" all seasons tires inflated to 40psi.

On smooth roads/freeways/etc. the truck rides very well. It also handles big bumps pretty well on the freeway or even at lower speeds.

But on local roads below 30mph, if a road has a bunch of LITTLE bumps/cracks/etc. it seems like every single little tiny twig/crack/bump on the road is directly transmitted into the cab giving it a very jittery ride.

I recently drove a RAM and a GMC and they both seem a lot less jittery on the same kind of road. I also drove a Tremor and it was somewhat jittery over small road imperfections so I do think this might be a characteristic of F-150s, but what works to improve it?

I might go to 18s. I've heard Bilstein 5100s help (but not sure if it helps the jittery feel).

I don't mind a firm ride, but the jittery ride is annoying.

Anything else?

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[RickLightning]

It is a very heavy vehicle. What is your tire psi as compared to the doorjamb sticker? 40psi seems high... Higher pressure leads to firmer ride.

 

[Maxx]

My Pro is set at 36 psi which is what the truck requires and ride seems OK to me. Then again, I have not compared jitteriness with other trucks at low speed.

 

[F150ROD]

Recommended PSI is 42. On 40 the truck rides perfect. Might want to have the dealer check your alignment, mine was delivered out of spec and fixed the jittery feeling.

But yes, Bilsteins would most likely improve that feeling also. Although I am not sure if they make a Lightning specific suspension setup yet.

 

[Bwanapete]

I had a 2013 Lariat and it came with rear leaf springs designed so that when the truck was not loaded, not all the leaves were engaged. The truck rode nicely empty or loaded. The new F150 gas trucks still have this leaf spring setup. I do not like the way my Lightning rides when empty. I suppose there is no changing back to leaf springs.

Is there any way to accomplish the same thing with the coil springs on my Lightning? Maybe some fancy shocks alone or combined with different rear coil springs or maybe just different rear coils?

 

[loschopper]

Lariat ER with the 20" all seasons tires inflated to 40psi.

On smooth roads/freeways/etc. the truck rides very well. It also handles big bumps pretty well on the freeway or even at lower speeds.

But on local roads below 30mph, if a road has a bunch of LITTLE bumps/cracks/etc. it seems like every single little tiny twig/crack/bump on the road is directly transmitted into the cab giving it a very jittery ride.

I recently drove a RAM and a GMC and they both seem a lot less jittery on the same kind of road. I also drove a Tremor and it was somewhat jittery over small road imperfections so I do think this might be a characteristic of F-150s, but what works to improve it?

I might go to 18s. I've heard Bilstein 5100s help (but not sure if it helps the jittery feel).

I don't mind a firm ride, but the jittery ride is annoying.

Anything else?

Were you able to sort this out? My truck is definitely jittery over small imperfections on the road. Especially when only one tire hits a bump or a rut - I feel like I’m shaking around way more than my 21 Tundra.

 

[WhiteBolt]

I had a 2013 Lariat and it came with rear leaf springs designed so that when the truck was not loaded, not all the leaves were engaged. The truck rode nicely empty or loaded. The new F150 gas trucks still have this leaf spring setup. I do not like the way my Lightning rides when empty. I suppose there is no changing back to leaf springs.

Is there any way to accomplish the same thing with the coil springs on my Lightning? Maybe some fancy shocks alone or combined with different rear coil springs or maybe just different rear coils?

Air bags maybe? I don't know if anyone makes air suspension kits for Lightnings though.

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