TRD Pro - Not So Pro Ride Quality!!!

[ExploreMore]

Looking for insight / validation / others experience...
My new TRD Pro has what I would consider poor ride quality. There is little isolation of the road to the cabin/chassis, and of course the steering wheel. My 24 Corvette Z06 has better isolation than this 4Runner. Every little bump, expansion joint, just disrupts the vehicle. I'm surprised by this as my previous 5th Gen TRD Pro had a much nicer ride than this brand new one.

Now I get that none of us bought a Cadillac, and I'm not expecting luxury driving experience, but something doesn't sit right with me on the NVH front here. My shocks are set to the softest setting and my tires are inflated to 32psi. I have had my tires balance checked, and road force calculated (fronts are 8-11, rears are 20-31). The dealer of course told me it's normal...

What are you TRD Pro owners experiencing?

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[2222CareBearStare]

No Pro here, just a TRD ORP, but my experience going from 5th gen to 6th gen is the same. The ride is just harsh and jittery on bumpy roads (even small bumps). I also had a new gen Tundra for a little while and had the same complaint. I wonder if it has something to do with the TNGA platform.

 

[glocke12]

Are you absolutely sure it's not just shitty roads and not the vehicle ? I am on my 3rd 4runner, 4th toyota and I live in Pennsylvania which has some of the worst roads in the nation and on some parts of my commute they rival those that would be found in a 3rd world country, full of potholes, some that are so deep someone will throw an orange traffic cone in them to make drivers aware of their presence, cracks, and bumpy patchwork.

In every single one of my vehicles I've always felt all of these things, even on the better maintained roads which still have cracks and sloppy patchwork I've always felt those things. It's only on better roads, like those found in NJ and other states, or freshly paved roads that I get a smooth ride.

I was even driving a 98 Dodge Ram 2500 for a period of time all everything I said above was true for that vehicle.

 

[Scrappopatamus]

Curious which click you're running the suspension settings on? I'm running mine on the firmest setting and the ride is suitable (for me). I've not spent much time in a Cadillac but thinking maybe you bought the wrong vehicle?

 

[ExploreMore]

No Pro here, just a TRD ORP, but my experience going from 5th gen to 6th gen is the same. The ride is just harsh and jittery on bumpy roads (even small bumps). I also had a new gen Tundra for a little while and had the same complaint. I wonder if it has something to do with the TNGA platform.

Thank you for your feedback! That leads me to believe It certainly is the design then. Where as GM and Ford do a far better job of isolating the cabin and steering wheel than Toyota. It comes down to body mount dampers and isolators. It would never pass those organizations NVH (noise vibration and harshness) specifications. Unfortunately it gives you a feeling of a uneasiness. It's unfortunate because it could be so much better!

 

[ExploreMore]

Are you absolutely sure it's not just shitty roads and not the vehicle ? I am on my 3rd 4runner, 4th toyota and I live in Pennsylvania which has some of the worst roads in the nation and on some parts of my commute they rival those that would be found in a 3rd world country, full of potholes, some that are so deep someone will throw an orange traffic cone in them to make drivers aware of their presence, cracks, and bumpy patchwork.

In every single one of my vehicles I've always felt all of these things, even on the better maintained roads which still have cracks and sloppy patchwork I've always felt those things. It's only on better roads, like those found in NJ and other states, or freshly paved roads that I get a smooth ride.

I was even driving a 98 Dodge Ram 2500 for a period of time all everything I said above was true for that vehicle.

I'm in the automotive industry and I've worked for many years for Ford as an engineer. This thing has feedback even on smooth roads, of course it's really busy on crappy roads. It's not a suspension thing, it's what Toyota is not doing on isolation of the suspension movements that end up translating to your seat and steering wheel. If my Corvette feels better than a brand new developed 4Runner I think a process step that is not acceptable at most OEM's seems to be acceptable at Toyota. I guess it is what it is. Thanks for your input!

 

[ExploreMore]

Curious which click you're running the suspension settings on? I'm running mine on the firmest setting and the ride is suitable (for me). I've not spent much time in a Cadillac but thinking maybe you bought the wrong vehicle?

Hey There
I'm running it in the softest setting. That's how it arrived and I verified all 4 shocks. I will adjust them to number 2 and see what happens, I can't imagine it will help any, but since you're running number 3 I will give it a shot.
Well I bought it to work and play, so it's too late now but I will enjoy it nonetheless, just a bit frustrated that Toyota didn't do a good job on this part of the design.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Scrappopatamus]

Check the air in the tires. all of mine had 50+ psi in the tires when we took delivery. I'm funning 37 in mine and seems fine. Ride was a little harsh over 50 psi

 

[SC4Runner]

Are you absolutely sure it's not just shitty roads and not the vehicle ? I am on my 3rd 4runner, 4th toyota and I live in Pennsylvania which has some of the worst roads in the nation and on some parts of my commute they rival those that would be found in a 3rd world country, full of potholes, some that are so deep someone will throw an orange traffic cone in them to make drivers aware of their presence, cracks, and bumpy patchwork.

In every single one of my vehicles I've always felt all of these things, even on the better maintained roads which still have cracks and sloppy patchwork I've always felt those things. It's only on better roads, like those found in NJ and other states, or freshly paved roads that I get a smooth ride.

I was even driving a 98 Dodge Ram 2500 for a period of time all everything I said above was true for that vehicle.

I am in SC where our roads are horrible as well. For secondary roads and some of our highways, there isn’t a good riding vehicle, at least of the ones I own. I believe the 4Runner is the best of the three.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

I'm in the automotive industry and I've worked for many years for Ford as an engineer. This thing has feedback even on smooth roads, of course it's really busy on crappy roads. It's not a suspension thing, it's what Toyota is not doing on isolation of the suspension movements that end up translating to your seat and steering wheel. If my Corvette feels better than a brand new developed 4Runner I think a process step that is not acceptable at most OEM's seems to be acceptable at Toyota. I guess it is what it is. Thanks for your input!

I think your profession as an automotive engineer may have led to you being a bit over-critical. Did you not notice the harsh ride during the test drive? Wait, you did take a test drive before buying the vehicle, right?

 

[jjbailey930]

Interesting thread and comments. I have a completely different experience. I bought a TRD Sport Premium in July with stock 20” wheels and Yoko Overlanders. Coming from a RR Sport HSE with 20” Michelin Sports, the ride was not as sporty but very acceptable in N. Va roads. Compared to my daughter’s 2019 TRD Off Road, the 2025 rides and steers like a dream. Her 5th gen has 60k miles but it’s been well maintained. The steering is not as precise in hers and the braking is not as smooth - she has new brakes/rotors and fluid flush. More body roll in her vehichle too which I noticed over the last several years so it’s not worn shocks/suspension.

 

[Archer]

My experience in my Pro was the same, until I realized they had the shocks set at the softest setting (which gives it a loose feeling) and the tires were set at 50 psi. (which makes the ride harsh) add those 2 together and it isn't a quality ride. Reset to 33 psi and 2 on the shocks and it improved. Readjusted to the 3 setting and even better.

As time went on and the miles added up the system seemed to work itself in and the ride has improved quite a bit.


BTW, it's not a cadillac and is never going to ride like a cadillac...
.

 

[Vintage38]

As other's have mentioned, definitely try adjusting your shock settings. My came from dealer on the softest setting which I disliked. I recommend trying all three settings for a full day to get a good fell and road feedback for each setting. I found the middle selection the best for my driving needs. Cheers

 

[Bernie]

My TRD Pro rides great. I did move the shocks to the middle setting because I’m used to stiffer handling from driving sports cars. No problem at all with the ride quality of my TRD Pro!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Just my two cents here as I have had a 3RD AND 5th gen and now the 6th.

I noticed right away on the 5th gen that the valving seemed to not be very good on the rebound.
I upgraded to bilstein's all the way around and that solved the problem. I experienced a very smooth compression and rebound articulation with the bilsteins.

Now fast forward on my 6th gen with the red in color bilsteins on the ORP model
I can say that the front shocks are not that good on the rebound which gives that bouncy loose sort of a ride kind of like a two-door Jeep with the short wheelbase.

So for daily Ground pounding i am just going to live with it until I can get a reasonably decent upgrade.

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