24’ expedition ride quality

[DieselMonk]

I just have a sport tuned suspension and ride on 22” winter tires. It does ride a bit harsh, but there is absolutely no boat like feeling around corners. It just zips around. The eLSD is definitely helping out there and it is noticeable to me. I am thinking on trying some 20” rims and AT rubber and call it a day. Some run 265/70R18’s but for me that is a huge amount of sidewall and I really don’t want to get that boat feeling around corners back. Makes wifey sick…
I still got the 20” rims and rubber from my F150 to try and see what that does in the spring.

 

[LanceExp2025]

A week ago, we bought a new 2024 Expedition MAX Limited 2WD (that we love) and it came w/ 22" wheels and Pirelli tires. But, it has NO CCD. I wish it did! May have been smoother w/ CCD but really don't know?

This 2024 is replacing a 2012 Expedition EL which rode much more smoothly and only a little more quietly w/ 20" wheels and Michelin Agilis tires. I was thinking that maybe the 22" wheels and shorter tire sidewalls were the problem. But, when I measured the height of the 22" tire from the rim to the tread it was only 1/2" less than the 20" 2012 Michelin tires. (4-1/2" for the 22's and 5" for the 20's). NOT much difference, it seems to me.

I have NEVER been a fan of Pirelli tires but mainly for their notorious poor wear and almost non-existent warranty. Don't know history of their ride characteristics though?? Would Michelin's be smoother riding? I intend to lower the air pressure a little to see if it helps but my hopes are NOT high. (door sticker = 39 PSI but, thought I would try 35 PSI). This 2024 handles so much better (cornering & curves) and seems more stable than the 2012 but we have yet to tow our 7000 # (loaded) 3 horse trailer. We rarely tow the horse trailer any more (3-4 times/year now) but, if we did, I would raise the air pressure back up to the max 50 PSI, sidewall marked pressure, at least on the rears.

I have read all of this thread and it was very informative and gave food for further thought and evaluation. This is a great forum and much appreciated, Lance

 

[fordperfaddict]

Well, finally pulled the trigger on 275/50/22 Michelin defender LTX Ms2 tires
And
Removed the HD tow springs for standard tow springs.

I’d say a 50% improvement in ride quality.

Cost me about $2500 to do it all

 

[dlcorbett]

If you daily drive it, it will feel less smooth than if you only drive it 1 or 2x a week or road trips.

 

[fordperfaddict]

We drive it as a family, initially I was passenger. As driver with a few more miles I would correct myself and say 25%. But in my opinion worth it and takes away the harshness of the HD toe and OEM tires. We had a car seat that would squeak nonstop from the harshness and now it occasionally squeaks.

 

[dlcorbett]

I also added Michelin defenders to my 22 nav after I bought it. At first I bought continental contact terrains, but they were too rough on the highway. I went up in size because the newer version use the larger 22in tires and they ride phenomenally better than the 4th gens. With the Michelins, I think they have slightly more initial impact harshness than the generals that came on the car, as it doesnt float over small cracks and patches as well, however, overall it does ride better as it mutes sharp impacts better and cuts way down on the horrid structural shaking it had when I first bought it. I do wish that I got Bridgestone since they are more of a highway tire and I have them on my mazda cx9 and my dad has them on his escalade and they feel very good, but overall im happy with the tires I have.