I really like Expedition, but the terrible suspension is getting to me...

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Deadman

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We have a Platinum Expy and my boss has the Navigator. We frequently jump back and forth between the two, and I can’t tell hardly any difference in ride between them. They are both 2020 models, but our ‘19’s were the same way. We are both running 22” Michelin Defenders.

The only time I notice ours having a floaty feeling is when going down side streets in town and hitting the dips. We had a ‘17 Tahoe Premier with 20’s, and I think the Expy rides just as good with 22’s.


Oh Those DIPS is where the CCD loses its mind unless its clicked into sport mode.
 

Grey ghost

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I found 4 blown shocks at 500 miles. Lived with it till I had a puddle of oil on the garage floor. Called the dealershit for an appointment and they said a month backorder. Do I ordered and installed billstiens. Different animal now.
 

Dice Roll

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Are the defenders better for ride than the hankook? I got used to the floaty feel the first week. Took some getting used to. It’s the bump penalty that bothers me. It’s a damn hard shake all the time. I didn’t expect this as local dealers only had the lower spec trucks and I thought the ccd was a high end thing that would have to ride better. Nope.
 

duneslider

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Really feeling glad I got the xlt, I haven't thought the ride was anything less than fantastic from day one. First time I bombed a dirt road in was was mind blowing! Does even better now with bilsteins.
 

dlcorbett

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Its crazy i dont remember hearing this many complaints from the 3rd gen versions even with ccd. The shaking is less the wheels and more the structure of the car and its ability to cope with the impacts. Thats always been a problem with ford products in general. Hopefull . Ford retunes the suspension in all aspects, i believe the suspension tuning during the development process was a bit rushed and underfunded (they did nothing with the components but fitted it to a different frame). As good as the ride was most of the time, even on the base springs its a bit too tight and harsh on the 20s during some runs, esp durin this day and age of auto advancement
 

Artie

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My 2018 XLT Max with OEM 18's rides just fine.
I think the same thing. If this thread proves anything it’s that ride is completely subjective and depends on a ton of factors.
 

Deadman

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I think my CCD rides absolutely amazing as far as ride comfort. Its just the rear sway that needs to stop.
This is hands down the best riding vehicle I have ever owned.

The heavy sway bar is necessary in something so large with IRS.
 

dlcorbett

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Question, what is everyone comparing the ride of their expy to, a previously owned expy, another fs suv, minivan, crossover, another type of vehicle? Also, did the test drive not give you the impression of the long term ride?
 

Lou Hamilton

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I think my CCD rides absolutely amazing as far as ride comfort. Its just the rear sway that needs to stop.
This is hands down the best riding vehicle I have ever owned.

The heavy sway bar is necessary in something so large with IRS.

I know they are different beasts, but I was talking to someone and the sway bar topic came up. They said they would be careful with a sway bar and electronic suspension unless something in the computer can be turned off. They may try to counter ascot each other and burn up a module.

He mentioned the RAM air suspension and there were issues with adding components to try to stiffen the ride and it ruining the electronic which were not covered under warranty.

Just saying. I don’t know enough to say anything more than that.


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dlcorbett

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Im surprised theres nothing in forscan to lock the suspension in a specific mode.
 

Deadman

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I know they are different beasts, but I was talking to someone and the sway bar topic came up. They said they would be careful with a sway bar and electronic suspension unless something in the computer can be turned off. They may try to counter ascot each other and burn up a module.

He mentioned the RAM air suspension and there were issues with adding components to try to stiffen the ride and it ruining the electronic which were not covered under warranty.

Just saying. I don’t know enough to say anything more than that.


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Its all mechanical unlike the air suspension that is adjusting ride height.
I'm pretty sure it'll be fine. I can see that the air suspension couldn't tolerate that because it would be trying to adjust ride height with the air pressures and the bar would be fighting it.

Thanks for the idea tho, I guess I'll find out for sure! lol
 

Dice Roll

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Question, what is everyone comparing the ride of their expy to, a previously owned expy, another fs suv, minivan, crossover, another type of vehicle? Also, did the test drive not give you the impression of the long term ride?

im comparing my ccd with the standard setup. No test drive of ccd. Would’ve required long trip to see one and was going off it being the higher end setup so it “had to be better.” Wrong.

also compared to my 97 f350, 96 f250, 94f150, and various other pickups I know it’s rough. Just too harsh of impact on bumps. The floating is strange but I don’t even notice it now. Haven’t been able to try out other drove modes since that was repaired.
 

Diverdown

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Frankly I despise the modern trend of giant 20-22" wheels and thin, worthless tires. Nothing evens out a ride like a nice, beefy tire with a decent sidewall.

We’ll all be driving 24s by end of decade.


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3DogRanch

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This thread is confirming my choice to get the XLT with 18" wheels. No crazy electronic suspension, no twinky-duece wheels with zero sidewall, just solid, stable tracking on rough dirt roads. I have to take a 5 mile dirt road just to get to the highway everyday for work and even at 45-50 MPH on dirt, it works just fine. But so did my Tundra with Bilstein 5100's and 20's and 33x12's, so there's that.
 

Networkit

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2018 Limited w/ 22” & CCD .. the suspension is horrid. We’ve had ours for a little over a year now and it seems to be getting worse - I’m going to check the shocks to see if any leaks but the constant wallowing, harsh hits on any significant bump in the road is not acceptable. I typically drive but times I’ve been in the back with my son, the ride feels like a cheap carnival roller coaster. Mine is a lease otherwise I’d do bilsteins and sway bar (only because seems to be common agreement here on forum)..otherwise we love the truck.
 
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