Main points of Lifted Truck Ride
- It is the most highly rated riding truck on the market thanks to its air ride system.
- Maybe one of the pieces on your lifted truck is loose, which is why it rides so rough
- Compared to a large wheel with thin tires, a bigger tire on a smaller wheel will give your truck a smoother ride
Trucks are designed to handle a variety of terrain. In contrast to cars, trucks should be able to handle some basic off-roading.
As a result, they ride rougher than cars. Although cars handle well in only one road condition, they handle decently in more conditions than cars.
However, smooth-riding trucks are not uncommon. Maybe you’re wondering why my lifted truck rides so rough?
Maybe it rides differently than when you drove it off the lot the first time. The last time you went to the supermarket, maybe something happened.
Many things could happen. There are usually only a few things that go wrong.
How can I make my lifted truck ride smoother?
- Air suspension upgrade
- Make your suspension softer
- Wheels, tires, or suspension need to be changed
- Vibrations and squeaks should be fixed
The smoothest suspension money can buy is air suspension. A new RAM truck comes with an air ride and is the best-riding truck on the market.
Due to its flexibility and extremely comfortable ride, the Tesla Cyber Truck will come standard with air suspension.
An air suspension is more expensive than a strut/shock suspension and even more expensive than a leaf suspension setup.
If you soften your suspension, you will have a cushier ride, but your performance will be affected.
There will be more bumps, but they will be smoother and less noticeable than the abrupt “slapback” of a rigid suspension system that absorbs every imperfection in the ground.
Changing your wheels, tires, or suspension parts can make a huge difference.
It is possible to upgrade factory-installed equipment with aftermarket parts for sometimes less than you think.
You shouldn’t ignore the junkyard either. If you look hard enough, you can find gems.
Asphalt tires ride more smoothly and are quieter than knobby off-road tires. Rain will also be handled better by them.
You can make your lifted truck ride smoother with this upgrade in the shortest amount of time.
The purpose of fixing vibrations and squeaks is to tighten the chassis so that it moves as one unit. Different pieces moving in different directions can result in an imbalance and unwanted rocking or moving.
There are times when you will dip here, or sway there, ever so slightly, but enough when there are many to cause strange movements.
The ride quality will be affected by more bumps and shifts. Consider walking with your wallet hanging on a chain instead of in your pocket.
Your momentum is negatively affected by that extra weight moving around. It may be that a single piece is loose on your lifted truck, causing it to ride so rough. It’s ticky tack stuff.
On a truck, there are 100’s of small parts. It is possible for them to come loose, or to be installed with rattling.
A rattling sound is caused by loose parts banging against each other. You can improve the quality of your ride by securing all of these things.
By combining everything into one mass moving together as one, the ride quality and fuel economy can be greatly improved.
Is it true that bigger tires ride smoother?
A larger tire on a smaller wheel will give your truck a smoother ride than a large wheel on thinner tires. Though it may look good to some, it will result in a rougher ride if you put 20″ or larger rims on a truck with thin tires.
When should a truck’s shocks be replaced?
Normal daily driving should last 50,000 miles on a shock. You may severely shorten the lifespan of your shocks if you do extreme driving such as dunes or off-roading on a semi-regular basis.
Generally, warranties last about a year. If you try any of the driving conditions mentioned above during this period, your shocks should still be under warranty.
You should check your truck’s driving characteristics whenever you get gas, wash your car, or notice a change in its driving characteristics. It is usually your truck’s tires, shocks, or struts that fail at any time if it is not riding smoothly.
Is it possible to replace shocks myself?
You can replace shocks yourself in the afternoon. It takes a few tools to swap out the shocks. Since this is a step up from changing any fluids in your truck, I recommend watching videos on Youtube, reading the manual, or having a friend help if possible.
Your lifted truck may ride rough because of this.
You will make mistakes when replacing shocks, especially if they are damaged. Anyone can do it with some patience and determination. It will also save you money.
Is it possible to replace struts myself?
You can replace your truck’s strut yourself! The process of replacing a strut can be dangerous. The risk of injury can be minimized if you follow the correct procedure outlined in your truck’s shop manual.
Alternatively, you can purchase a complete strut assembly that comes with a coil-over shock already attached.
All you have to do is lift your truck and swap out the parts. It is not necessary to compress your springs (which can be dangerous for a novice).
Obviously, this is more expensive. However, you can sell your shocks online to recoup some of the cost. If you run into any problems or need to purchase (or rent) additional tools, you’ll have less downtime.
Is it a good idea to replace all 4 shocks at once?
It is rare for all four struts to fail at the same time. It is recommended that you replace the front and rear shocks at the same time.
In this way, you will be able to maintain greater control over the handling of your vehicle. Is it possible to replace only one shoe at a time?
Would you replace both shoes at once? In this case, the same logic applies.
If one or both front and rear shocks are going bad, or if they have completely failed, the same applies.
It is only safe to replace all 4 shocks at once in this situation. Driving at highway speeds with an old shock matched with a new shock can spell disaster even with a properly aligned and installed suspension and tires.
After wondering why my lifted truck ride was so rough, I wrote this piece. Many factors can contribute to this.
There are usually only a few main culprits. In addition, they can be fixed at home without spending extra money on a mechanic.
Tires or suspension are usually the easiest fixes. It is usually the suspension that makes the biggest difference in ride quality.
New wheels and tires can make a dramatic difference in ride quality, but you’ll have to pay quite a bit for them.
If you keep on top of your maintenance and don’t ignore any warning signs, you should be able to maintain a quality riding truck for a long time.
Stay dirty and thanks for reading.
Video of Lifted Truck Ride
References and Resources: