Wiggly Truck Issue

[Ranger Kip]

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).

 

[Curious Hound]

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.

 

[Uncle Gump]

It kinda looks like you did a torsion bar crank...

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?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

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.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Did anything change with the new tires?

Was it doing it with the old tires?

 

[pjtoledo]

how much air in those tires?
throw 300 pounds in the front of the bed. dramatic improvement or no change?

 

[Curious Hound]

throw 300 pounds

???

Might want to do that in small increments.

 

[SenorNoob]

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

 

[pjtoledo]

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?????

 

[sgtsandman]

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.

 

[Curious Hound]

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.

 

[Ranger Kip]

Besides the torsion stuff (which I have never checked), tire pressure (currently 35, tire max is 45, might try it), and adding weight to the rear, I have tried about everything you guys have talked about.

I had my brother shake the truck while I was under it, and I saw the truck stiff, wiggling due to tire flex.

There is not hopping around.

The truck is exactly as I described it. Wiggly. Not bouncy lol.

My shocks might be too short, I paid $45 for the pair new on clearance from Amazon. So I might toss the old shocks back on to see if the ride improves. (No shock banging tho). I had to have my father sit on the frame to get the shocks to meet the frame mounts from the axle. This was before the bed was installed tho, it was off by 1".

Shackles and mounts are new on both sides. I only have anti-sway links in the front, and I have not gotten an alignment yet.

Also, new or old tires did the same thing. No difference.

As for my expectations being high? Bahahaha hahahahahahahaha! I've owned a few rangers, this one is weird to me. My brother drove it too and said it felt "jiggly" and "wiggly".

Frame is straight. No loose crossmembers.

Note: I think the problem is at the rear of the truck vs the front. But that's just assumption.

 

[Roert42]

How many ply is the sidewall?

 

[Curious Hound]

35 psi is getting on the high side for most Rangers. But, try a little more and see how it feels. Otherwise, type and quality of tire may have a influence.

 

[sgtsandman]

Besides the torsion stuff (which I have never checked), tire pressure (currently 35, tire max is 45, might try it), and adding weight to the rear, I have tried about everything you guys have talked about.

I had my brother shake the truck while I was under it, and I saw the truck stiff, wiggling due to tire flex.

There is not hopping around.

The truck is exactly as I described it. Wiggly. Not bouncy lol.

My shocks might be too short, I paid $45 for the pair new on clearance from Amazon. So I might toss the old shocks back on to see if the ride improves. (No shock banging tho). I had to have my father sit on the frame to get the shocks to meet the frame mounts from the axle. This was before the bed was installed tho, it was off by 1".

Shackles and mounts are new on both sides. I only have anti-sway links in the front, and I have not gotten an alignment yet.

Also, new or old tires did the same thing. No difference.

As for my expectations being high? Bahahaha hahahahahahahaha! I've owned a few rangers, this one is weird to me. My brother drove it too and said it felt "jiggly" and "wiggly".

Frame is straight. No loose crossmembers.

Note: I think the problem is at the rear of the truck vs the front. But that's just assumption.

35 psi is a good number. It seems a lot of people start having a wandering issue around 40 psi or more, unless they are carrying a load.

Roert42's question about the load rating is a good one. Do you have p-metric car tires on it or something with a load rating for trucks? The old standard was like Load C, Load D, etc. Now, a number in the 100s is used. If the side wall is too weak, that could be some of the issue.