Is it just the tires?

[wpurple]

Comparing handling characteristics of my 97 Sport to my 99 Mountaineer, the Mounty is very mushy, the Sport, very firm and responsive.
I installed the same shocks on the Mounty that is on the sport, but I have Bridgestone Duelers LT235's on the Sport and Firestone Wilderness AT P235's on the Mounty.

Can a tire make that dramatic of a difference? Or is it the fact that the Firestones downright suck?

Tx,
Kurt

 

[old mechanic]

The old saying is that the only thing between you and the road is your tires! That hand full of tire that hits the road has to be good. DUMP the firestones!

 

[Alec]

They could also have different springs.

 

[bbmoose]

i know personally that duelers can stiff up a ride.
We have a 00 jeep grand cherokee.It came stock with wrangler tires.There was so muchsway in turns it felt like it was always rolling.
I bought new dueler at revo's for it(we 4x4 sometimes) and man from the minute it rolled out of the shop i was hppy.NO more roll and they wear like iron.They are awesome tires.Stiff but not like a truck tire were you feel every pebble.
In a month or 2 i plan on getting them for my X.

 

[Jason_25]

Tire pressure can make a huge difference.

 

[Bill Kemp]

A sway bar from ExplorerExpress will make a lot more difference than the tires. Plus the Mounty is bigger and has more to sway.
My lowered 96 XLT w/Goodyear HP tires didnt corner as well as the Mounty w/255x70x16 Michelin & new sway bar. Of all the mods that I have done to a veh. the sway bar is the most noticiable.

 

[wpurple]

ironically, the 99 Mounty has a bigger sway bar than the 97 Sport.

I may go for the LT tires, they allow me to fill them to 50 psi as opposed to the Firesucks at 35.

I want my truck to ride like a truck, not a grocery getter...

Handling makes a BIG difference when I am towing.

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

could be wheelbase as well

 

[ronnie mullins]

I have Firestone Wilderness on my 96 Ex and the ride is quite firm and very little roll around turns.I'd bet that it is the suspension componets are designed for a smoother more luxurious ride.

 

[Bill Kemp]

I guess I should have specified it's the rear sway bar. The fronts were upgraded in 98. As I said before..I cant believe the difference.