Smaller Wheels for Softer Ride

[bb37]

I did not. Every friend I mentioned this to said despite the ride, the 22's look great and/or borderline too small already, and that I should keep them no matter the ride quality. So I was persuaded to just keep them and get used to how they ride.

The old man in me (I'm 67) just shakes my head when I read comments like this.

Unless your friends are riding in your vehicle with you, their opinions don't matter. You can't see your wheels while you are bumping along in a vehicle with poor ride quality.

My Limited has the factory 22s and I think the ride quality sucks over rough pavement while in Normal mode. It gets better in Sport mode, but still not great. My plan is to get a set of 20s or maybe even 18s with Michelin Defender tires before this winter. I don't care what my friends might think.

 

[Mr Big]

The old man in me (I'm 67) just shakes my head when I read comments like this.

Unless your friends are riding in your vehicle with you, their opinions don't matter. You can't see your wheels while you are bumping along in a vehicle with poor ride quality.

My Limited has the factory 22s and I think the ride quality sucks over rough pavement while in Normal mode. It gets better in Sport mode, but still not great. My plan is to get a set of 20s or maybe even 18s with Michelin Defender tires before this winter. I don't care what my friends might think.

I think what @SLPR meant was the 22s look sportier. IMHO, they do look more luxurious and sportier, where the more tire less wheel look has a rugged hoopty look to it. And the mind set embedded from the dealer, that the larger wheel is an upgrade and standard on Platinum and some Limited models.

 

[bb37]

I think what @SLPR meant was the 22s look sportier.

Which still places looks over ride quality. Seems backwards to me.

 

[Mr Big]

Which still places looks over ride quality. Seems backwards to me.

I try to balance. I've always blinged out my rides a little, with rims, lighting, stereo, etc. But I love my Expedition's performance, handling, comfort, features and looks.
The thing I don't understand is some of us, me included, think the ride with 22s, (mine are Defender 285/45 R22) is excellent, in every mode. While others complain the ride is not so good to terrible. With that said, the only factors I can think of is year, model, tire brand, tire pressure, CCD vs. no CCD, bad shocks, and maybe more. Because it makes no sense why some have such a bad ride and others don't. Regarding shimmy or vibration, a few things can cause it, tire model, pressure, balance or thrown belt, fix a flat type gel, bad wheel, alignment, bearings, suspension parts, engine vibration, drive shaft components, and probably more.

 

[GixxerJasen]

I try to balance. I've always blinged out my rides a little, with rims, lighting, stereo, etc. But I love my Expedition's performance, handling, comfort, features and looks.
The thing I don't understand is some of us, me included, think the ride with 22s, (mine are Defender 285/45 R22) is excellent, in every mode. While others complain the ride is not so good to terrible. With that said, the only factors I can think of is year, model, tire brand, tire pressure, CCD vs. no CCD, bad shocks, and maybe more. Because it makes no sense why some have such a bad ride and others don't. Regarding shimmy or vibration, a few things can cause it, tire model, pressure, balance or thrown belt, fix a flat type gel, bad wheel, alignment, bearings, suspension parts, engine vibration, drive shaft components, and probably more.

Don't forget local roads too. Those of us in the south don't have to experience things like frost heaves.

 

[bb37]

My 2024 Limited has CCD, factory 22s, and General Grabber tires. The thing that I don't understand is that when I go over a stretch of rough pavement, like a beat-up bridge apron (INDOT can't seem to hire contractors who can build bridge aprons properly), the front handles it just fine, but the rear doesn't. The rear bangs, dances, and rear steers to the point where I feel like I have to counter-steer to keep going straight. I'm not convinced that it's all due to the generally-accepted crappy tires. I think my options are change tires or go to 20s. My inclination is to go directly to 20s, or maybe even 18s, and dump the 22s.

Yesterday, I drove from Indianapolis to Davenport IA and back with no load other than my fat a$$. Pretty much all I-74 at mostly 70-80 MPH. The occasional spots of rough pavement made me cringe due to way the rear suspension handled them. My 2015 XLT didn't ride like this. My 2024 acts like there's a defective rear shock absorber. But, how do I prove it?

 

[Mr Big]

The thing that I don't understand is that when I go over a stretch of rough pavement, like a beat-up bridge apron (INDOT can't seem to hire contractors who can build bridge aprons properly), the front handles it just fine, but the rear doesn't.

I would get it checked. I don't have the same year as you do, but mine, with 22s, handles bumpy roads perfectly. It is a little floaty on wavy roads, kind of like a big boat in swells. But it is a great smooth ride.

 

[fordperfaddict]

i think the truck is oversprung. it can tow 9,000 pounds. I have considered going to the non tow package springs but not sure if its a direct spring swap or if more is involved. might be more hassle then its worth.
My plan is to go to 20s, as they will still look aggressive enough with the right setup and also luxurious enough like @bb37 says. after looking around im considering the Vossen HF6-1 or HFX-2. ill look around for quotes and places to get some discounts and possibly even sell my 22s to make up for the cost but we will see.
Also, i will go with the defender tire as well and put it at 35PSI. Ill go with the 20s in the 285/55R20 113H FOR spec. pretty sure its the f150 tire so itll be fine on the expedition. i will not need to go with the XL rated tire in that same size that is offered. If that doesnt solve it then ill be trading the vehicle in within a few years instead of keeping it for the long haul as originally planned.

 

[Fastcar]

I try to balance. I've always blinged out my rides a little, with rims, lighting, stereo, etc. But I love my Expedition's performance, handling, comfort, features and looks.
The thing I don't understand is some of us, me included, think the ride with 22s, (mine are Defender 285/45 R22) is excellent, in every mode. While others complain the ride is not so good to terrible. With that said, the only factors I can think of is year, model, tire brand, tire pressure, CCD vs. no CCD, bad shocks, and maybe more. Because it makes no sense why some have such a bad ride and others don't. Regarding shimmy or vibration, a few things can cause it, tire model, pressure, balance or thrown belt, fix a flat type gel, bad wheel, alignment, bearings, suspension parts, engine vibration, drive shaft components, and probably more.

I think that some of us are use to a truck. I shudder to think of the complaining if it was a 3/4 or one ton. These things ride harder than most automobiles. I remember when these were first marketed They were called a utility vehicle and are based on a truck chassis. It is not a car.

 

[GixxerJasen]

I think that some of us are use to a truck. I shudder to think of the complaining if it was a 3/4 or one ton. These things ride harder than most automobiles. I remember when these were first marketed They were called a utility vehicle and are based on a truck chassis. It is not a car.

Imagine the ride if those bigger trucks came from the factory with huge wheels and skinny sidewalls.

 

[Mr Big]

I think that some of us are use to a truck. I shudder to think of the complaining if it was a 3/4 or one ton. These things ride harder than most automobiles. I remember when these were first marketed They were called a utility vehicle and are based on a truck chassis. It is not a car.

I came from an Excursion. Maybe that's why I think the ride is incredible. Plus, CCD is like riding on air, except for the boat wave effect on uneven roads. Then I switch to sport mode.

 

[fordperfaddict]

when guys move to 20 inch wheels what size tire are you going with? the OEM 275/55? or a 285/55?

 

[Mr Big]

when guys move to 20 inch wheels what size tire are you going with? the OEM 275/55? or a 285/55?

I would stick with OEM specs so the width and height are correct.
We went to 305/45 R22s and they rubbed. So, we went back to the 285/45 R22 the Platinum comes with.
Over-sized tires can have wear issues as well. I upgraded my Excursion to 305/45 R22s and always had belt issues and early bad wear. As soon as I went back to 285/45 R22s, on my Excursion, my issues were gone and the tires lasted as they should.

 

[Fastcar]

I would stick with OEM specs so the width and height are correct.
We went to 305/45 R22s and they rubbed. So, we went back to the 285/45 R22 the Platinum comes with.
Over-sized tires can have wear issues as well. I upgraded my Excursion to 305/45 R22s and always had belt issues and early bad wear. As soon as I went back to 285/45 R22s, on my Excursion, my issues were gone and the tires lasted as they should.

Why would the 305's wear quicker? I would think that they are taller the wear would be a bit better. Different maker, different compound? Educate me.

 

[Mr Big]

Why would the 305's wear quicker? I would think that they are taller the wear would be a bit better. Different maker, different compound? Educate me.

There's an anomaly when tires get to a certain size.
Larger tires are usually heavier and take more energy to roll, putting strain on the engine, brakes, tranny, suspension and steering parts, bearings, ball joints and tie rods.
They also have a tendency to wear uneven, because of the oversize, causing alignment issues, excess wear, less tire life and premature replacement. All my vehicles had oversized tires, until I got tired of the abnormal wear. Now I buy according to specs.

 

[Ugh_J]

Why would the 305's wear quicker? I would think that they are taller the wear would be a bit better. Different maker, different compound? Educate me.

Sidewall angle changes, most likely. Tire tread wear patterns are designed with a specific wheel width in mind. Change that and you change the angle and ground pressure on the outer (and to an extent the inner) edge tread blocks, and how that impacts the outside belts at different tire pressures. This increases flex heat in the tire when driving, which also reduces top speed safety margins and increases wear. TANSTAAFL.

 

[Fastcar]

There's an anomaly when tires get to a certain size.
Larger tires are usually heavier and take more energy to roll, putting strain on the engine, brakes, tranny, suspension and steering parts, bearings, ball joints and tie rods.
They also have a tendency to wear uneven, because of the oversize, causing alignment issues, excess wear, less tire life and premature replacement. All my vehicles had oversized tires, until I got tired of the abnormal wear. Now I buy according to specs.

I've used larger than stock tire forever and never noticed abnormal wear. Unless I ran the Blizzak's into April. Of course these were all load range E, a truck tire. Now, living here, I run pretty much what came on the truck. The exception was our RV, too big to ignore. Maybe the load range made a difference. Here for the past 20 years living beach side in 3 1/2 years every truck I've owned showed rust underneath and were sold or traded.
Funny, ran the expy north from Daytona to St Augustine at 80 -90 this morning and it was smooth as silk, did feel the expansion joints though. Could be my ass is old and numb.

 

[Fastcar]

Sidewall angle changes, most likely. Tire tread wear patterns are designed with a specific wheel width in mind. Change that and you change the angle and ground pressure on the outer (and to an extent the inner) edge tread blocks, and how that impacts the outside belts at different tire pressures. This increases flex heat in the tire when driving, which also reduces top speed safety margins and increases wear. TANSTAAFL.

Ain't that the truth!!

 

[Left Coast Geek]

a load range 'E' tire is appropriate for a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, for instance my 2002 F250 diesel, with its 9000 lb GVWR, used them, LT265/75R16E. The rear GAWR was 6084 lbs.

 

[fordperfaddict]

F150 wheels will direct fit, but the centercaps won't. It only takes 10 minutes with a sawzall to fix that. I wouldn't shy away from it, I'm happy with my results and you'll have a lot more options.

View attachment 80029

Would a quarter inch spacer all around prevent me from having to do this ?