Bumpy Ride after Lift + Tire Upgrade?

[ek210]

Hi! I purchased a 2024 Big Bend a few months ago. This week I had a 1.5” ReadyLift kit installed along with Falken Wildpeak AT4W 245/65R17 tires.

The vehicle looks great, but the ride is super harsh any time I hit a bump or pothole. I really only notice it when I’m driving slowly, but it makes a super loud noise and creates an unpleasant up+down. I never experienced this prior to the lift and tires.

Has anyone else experienced the same thing after making similar upgrades? Is this to be expected or should I say something to the shop that did the installations?

Thanks!

UPDATE: I took it back in today and they told me a sway bar was loose. At least from what I could tell on the drive home, it sounds and feels back to normal now. Thanks for all the responses!

Also adding the before and after pics for anyone curious.

 

[Jmuns]

What's your tire pressure?

 

[ek210]

What's your tire pressure?

According to FordPass app:

 

[Jmuns]

I don't have a lift, but it sure appears to be your issue.

 

[Babybronc21]

The ride will be a bit more firm given your new setup. It will take time for the lift to settle in. Tire pressure could adjust down slightly 34/35. Give it time. But if it seems REALLY off then a cross check of the lift install may be advisable.

 

[gatornek]

Take it from someone who has fiddled with his Mustang suspension for years.

The manufacturer designers take an awful long time to make sure you have a quality ride. Whenever you fiddle with your factory suspension in the name of chasing an aesthetic, ride quality will suffer.

Unless you're putting in an airlift suspension system, RARELY does fiddling around with a suspension, result in a smoother, or even SAME ride.

 

[RSH]

I believe the tires are contributing more to the harshness than the lift especially if it's a spacer lift. The Falken AT4 tires have a much more rugged construction than the ATW3's that they replace. I have read other reviews that say the on road ride of the AT4W tires is noticeably firmer than the AT3W. I would try lowering the tire pressure a little more and see it it helps, If I go over 33psi cold with my 245 65R17 Falken Rubitreks, my Badlands will bounce around over road imperfections unless you pick up the pace.

 

[Mark S.]

@RSH is right. Tire construction is vastly different from what you are used to. In addition, you have increased unsprung weight dramatically without changing spring or damper rates. Stiffer tires coupled with all the extra weight bouncing up and down is what you are feeling.

 

[Jmuns]

Tires definitely are stiffer and will contribute, but a loud noise while hitting the bump isn’t the tires.

 

[PaulOinMA]

Sidewall can make a big difference.
Recently purchased new tires for my '22 Escape because of a sidewall bubble. Changed the OE H-rated Bridgestone to V-rated Continental CrossContact LX25. Should have stiffer sidewall. Noticeable road feel difference. Crisper handling.

 

[RSH]

Early on some have reported clunking noises with the Readylift kit as well as some other companies that produced spacer lift kits. Most if not all the of the manufacturers have addressed the issue by now. Another source of noise was also being caused from the sway bar end links coming loose.

You can read some of these posts and compare to your situation.
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/potential-fix-to-aftermarket-leveling-kits-clunking.4087/

 

[Mark S.]

Tires definitely are stiffer and will contribute, but a loud noise while hitting the bump isn’t the tires.

Depends on the noise. A metallic clunking noise is not the tires. Thicker tread and a stiffer sidewall, however, will absolutely transmit more road noise to the cabin.

 

[LostJimmy]

Hi! I purchased a 2024 Big Bend a few months ago. This week I had a 1.5” ReadyLift kit installed along with Falken Wildpeak AT4W 245/65R17 tires.

The vehicle looks great, but the ride is super harsh any time I hit a bump or pothole. I really only notice it when I’m driving slowly, but it makes a super loud noise and creates an unpleasant up+down. I never experienced this prior to the lift and tires.

Has anyone else experienced the same thing after making similar upgrades? Is this to be expected or should I say something to the shop that did the installations?

Thanks!

View attachment 46991

I recently installed 1 1/2 rough country lift and 245/65R/17 tires. Had clunking sound and found loose spacer. Also got my big bend realigned and all is well.

 

[tucg15]

Besides the ride issue, it looks awesome! Question, what’s the cost to do the lift and the tires? You don’t have to tell me exactly what you paid, just an estimate. Would love to do this on my BB, so curious how much it would be to do. Thanks!

 

[ek210]

Besides the ride issue, it looks awesome! Question, what’s the cost to do the lift and the tires? You don’t have to tell me exactly what you paid, just an estimate. Would love to do this on my BB, so curious how much it would be to do. Thanks!

It came out to about $2000 total.

- $399 for the lift kit
- $215 per tire
- $150 for a wheel alignment
- $630 for labor

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