Wiggly Truck Issue


Ranger Kip

15+ Year Member

⭐Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
May 2, 2010
Messages
2,997
Points
3,101
City
Wellsboro
State - Country
PA - USA
Vehicle Year
2006
Vehicle
Ford Ranger
Drive
4WD
Engine
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
My credo
Confused and Intolerant
My truck is very wiggly and jiggly, it also hops around. Any thoughts? The rear shocks are new, the frame is not bending/crossmembers are not shifting, and the axle is firmly installed.

It seems all of the wiggle is coming from the tires having big sidewalls.

It almost feels too unsafe to drive over 45 with how loose it feels (wiggly).

My steering is solid, tires are new, front stabilizers are good, and rear shocks and shackles are new.

(Sorry if it's hard to see in video, but I'm pushing on the rear of the truck and the front pivots to a wiggle).

 
Generally speaking, those tires do not have big sidewalls. What air pressure are you running?

Do you have anti-sway bars installed? Are the spring eye bushings and shackle bushings and bolts good?

These trucks, in stock configuration, are not as "tight" as a sports car. That's just how trucks are. I'm not saying there isn't anything wrong. There may be. But, if this is your first truck, your expectations may be a little bit too high and you may need to get used to it.
 
It kinda looks like you did a torsion bar crank...

Wiggly Truck Issue


If you did... that really changes the ride quality. Not that it makes it stiffer... but that you cranked all the rebound out of the front suspension.

Withall the frame repairs... front end work... etc... have you had it on an alignment rack to dial it back in?
 
What shocks did you use? I used to call my Choptop my big spring toy because it was like driving a foam block on the end of an antenna.

Then I started chasing vibrations and upgrading things. Couldn’t get the shocks I was using on the rear so I got some KYBs and the ride quality immediately improved. That got me looking at other shocks and I ended up going Rough Country N3 all around. I don’t think I’ll ever use anything less than a KYB for a shock again on anything.

Mind you my Choptop sits on 35x12.50-15 tires run at 15 psi. If you want to talk sidewall flex, I have it, lol.
 
Did anything change with the new tires?

Was it doing it with the old tires?
 
how much air in those tires?
throw 300 pounds in the front of the bed. dramatic improvement or no change?
 
I would think a member with a 15 year badge knows what's normal for a Ranger. For reference though all of my stuff is tight WITHOUT sway bars. and I can take one hand and move the rear bumper a foot at a 45* angle to the truck.

What you need is a helper to shake the shit of it while crawl under and check literally every joint. See where the movement is coming from. If all else fails, bring it down to the campout in October and we'll give it a good shaking. I'll climb in the bed and do jumping jacks if that what it takes. LOL
 
300 isn't much, less than 2 adults.
I usually put that much in for the winter, 2000 xcab 4x4. makes a significant improvement in ride quality.

to the OP, does it ride wiggly on smooth roads?
at only 45?????
 
I'm mainly wondering about the tire pressure since these trucks are known to not drive straight and steady if the pressure is too high.

The wheel hop could be due to tire pressure as well and/or the shocks ot being the right ones or are defective.
 
I'm mainly wondering about the tire pressure since these trucks are known to not drive straight and steady if the pressure is too high.

The wheel hop could be due to tire pressure as well and/or the shocks ot being the right ones or are defective.
Wheel hop? I missed where he mentioned that.
 

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