Aftermarket suspension options to improve ride quality (TRD ORP)

[4jogger]

I'll start a separate thread this weekend, but just wanted to post here that my opinion seemed to be correct that the problem with the OR Red Bilsteins was primarily the rear axle. This may also be the case with other 6th Gen models that have similar ride issues. I put on a set of Fox Performance Series 2.5 rear shocks (P/N: 987-24-058) by myself in about an hour. The ride is so much better. The car is isolated from the road and the rear axle like it should be. I would say 80-90% of that "constant vibration", or "jittery" feeling is gone. The rear end feels much more like my 5th Gen now. It just feels planted and more isolated. Before anyone wants to start a debate on how its possible that replacing two shocks can solve more than 50% of the problem, I will say this - compression damping is what controls unsprung mass. On a 4Runner rear axle, that mass is several hundred pounds. If the compression damping is wrong, there will be serious problems. I won't make the final determination until I go on a long trip, but as of now I am so happy with it I may do anything to the front suspension at all.

How much did this cost

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[PierceVonCloud]

How much did this cost

I got them from Poly Performance for $347 each with free shipping. Installation is pretty easy if you're comfortable jacking up a 4Runner high enough for the rear axle be at full droop. Good jack stands are a must.

 

[porkyfly]

I got them from Poly Performance for $347 each with free shipping. Installation is pretty easy if you're comfortable jacking up a 4Runner high enough for the rear axle be at full droop. Good jack stands are a must.

Did these change the rear ride height at all? I'm thoroughly confused why the factory shocks are DOA, considering they are upgraded bilsteins. Also wondering why the ride quality was not fixed for 2026 model year.

I agree with your observations about the crashiness/jitter being 80% in the rear. Keep us updated about the combo of Fox rears, factory Bilstein front.

 

[PierceVonCloud]

Did these change the rear ride height at all?

The springs dictate rear ride height, not shocks. Remember that in the rear, the shocks and springs are separate. Edit - If you see rear shocks saying that they are for 2" (for example) rear ride height, it just means they have a longer compressed length for vehicles that have had their ride height lifted. Fox's 2.5 rear shocks are a direct replacement with no change to the vehicle besides damping that actually works. They accommodate ride heights from the stock height to +2". They are larger in diameter but they still just bolt in. Very simple affair.

 

[porkyfly]

The springs dictate rear ride height, not shocks. Remember that in the rear, the shocks and springs are separate. Edit - If you see rear shocks saying that they are for 2" (for example) rear ride height, it just means they have a longer compressed length for vehicles that have had their ride height changed. Fox's 2.5 rear shocks are a direct replacement with no change to the vehicle besides damping that actually works. They accommodate ride heights from the stock height to +2". They are larger in diameter but they still just bolt in. Very simple affair.

That makes sense. Did you have to support the rear axle when changing the shock or just let it full droop? Did the car's handling dynamics change at all?

 

[PierceVonCloud]

Did you have to support the rear axle when changing the shock or just let it full droop?

Lift the rear of the vehicle with a jack under the rear axle. I put a treated wood block between the jack pad and the axle housing. Support the frame on both sides, just in front of the trailing arm pivots. Then let the rear axle droop. You have to be high enough so that the tires aren't touching the ground at full droop. This is a pretty serious lift that puts the rear bumper WAY up in the air. Use a good jack. Use really good jacks stands, block the front and back sides of the front tires and only do this on level ground. Work on one side at a time (i.e., don't take both tires off). Put blocks under the side you're working on in case something happens.

Did the car's handling dynamics change at all?

Besides the jittery ride on certain roads, I've thought the dynamics of my 6G ORH were generally poor. Rolling around a corner with no throttle or braking - poor. Slight braking into a corner - poor. Applying throttle out of a corner - very poor. With the Fox rear shocks, all of these traits are so much better. I like Bilsteins in general, but for whatever reason, the OEM 6G red Bilsteins are absolutely horrible on this truck. The ride and dynamics are now very close to my 5G OR, which I was very happy with. I'm sure Fox 2.5 or King fronts would make it even better, but I'm very happy with it with just the Fox's in the rear.

 

[4jogger]

Lift the rear of the vehicle with a jack under the rear axle. I put a treated wood block between the jack pad and the axle housing. Support the frame on both sides, just in front of the trailing arm pivots. Then let the rear axle droop. You have to be high enough so that the tires aren't touching the ground at full droop. This is a pretty serious lift that puts the rear bumper WAY up in the air. Use a good jack. Use really good jacks stands, block the front and back sides of the front tires and only do this on level ground. Work on one side at a time (i.e., don't take both tires off). Put blocks under the side you're working on in case something happens.



Besides the jittery ride on certain roads, I've thought the dynamics of my 6G ORH were generally poor. Rolling around a corner with no throttle or braking - poor. Slight braking into a corner - poor. Applying throttle out of a corner - very poor. With the Fox rear shocks, all of these traits are so much better. I like Bilsteins in general, but for whatever reason, the OEM 6G red Bilsteins are absolutely horrible on this truck. The ride and dynamics are now very close to my 5G OR, which I was very happy with. I'm sure Fox 2.5 or King fronts would make it even better, but I'm very happy with it with just the Fox's in the rear.

The dynamic ride of the sr5 is actually quite good. For a truck it handles corners pretty well in my opinion. Its just over square edge hits it feels pretty rough, more so in the rear. I think the stock OR shock tune should be a bit different than the stock sr5 tune.

 

[nandrian6]

Not to me, but I'm not sure. In just general observations compared to my 5th Gen (which was a similar vehicle with a similar purpose), the springs on the 6G are definitely much stiffer. I think this can be said for both non-Hybrids and hybrid models. If you grab the roof rails and shake the car or stand on the rear bumper of a 5G, it clearly has "soft" springs, but not so soft it couldn't handle the tongue weight of a decent sized trailer. I thought my 5G was surprisingly well mannered and capable with its soft suspension. Sure it had brake dive and some wallowing but to me that is a tradeoff for a capable OFFROAD TRUCK. On certain roads, the 6G is perfectly fine and comfortable. Its even perfectly acceptable when I've went offroad. But on some roads, the springs completely overwhelm the car. Its like the whole car is vibrating and it is enough to make me physically uncomfortable. That is the opposite effect (and tradeoff) I would expect from an OFFROAD truck. Haters on the TRD Pro thread were saying the OP should expect a truck to act like a truck, i.e., have a rough ride. That would make sense if people were buying 4Runners to haul skid loaders to a job site. But they are not.

It is the high speed compression events that seem to be very out of whack. I don't know if its the springs overwhelming the dampers or vice versa. I just assumed it was the former since the springs seem to be too stiff in general.

This is the most we'll articulated sentiment (which I share). Thanks for the affirmation!! Legitimately going to try (1) loading with back with more weight - sandbags or bumper plates and (2) futzing with tire pressure up/down.

 

[Dario]

The parts would run just about $2k, labor would be about 2-3 hours depending on quickly the shop does the install and what your local labor rates are. Also, whatever the cost of alignment would be where you live.

Given the current sale, would the TRD Pro shocks be better option for about the same price? I like that the Pro shocks have an adjustment. I can get better street riding for the wife and decent offroad shocks when needed.

 

[porkyfly]

Given the current sale, would the TRD Pro shocks be better option for about the same price? I like that the Pro shocks have an adjustment. I can get better street riding for the wife and decent offroad shocks when needed.

Judging by the article here: https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2025-toyota-4runner-trd-pro-suspension-long-term-update.html probably not.

I just installed the Fox 2.5 rear shocks today and it did make a big difference. The jitteriness and harshness over broken pavement from the rear is completely gone. But since I did not change the front shocks, the car now has harsh front, soft rear. I will run with this setup for now because changing the fronts for Fox 2.5 to match the rears is more costly.

 

[Dario]

Judging by the article here: https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2025-toyota-4runner-trd-pro-suspension-long-term-update.html probably not.

I just installed the Fox 2.5 rear shocks today and it did make a big difference. The jitteriness and harshness over broken pavement from the rear is completely gone. But since I did not change the front shocks, the car now has harsh front, soft rear. I will run with this setup for now because changing the fronts for Fox 2.5 to match the rears is more costly.

Thanks. Had not seen that article before. It does not give me a lot of hope for the TRD Pro shocks. I see several Fox options. Looks like I can get a non-adjustable version of all 4 shocks for ~$2300. I need to do more research to see what give us the best on road ride and decent off-road handing.

 

[porkyfly]

I'm honestly so shocked (pun not intended) by all this that I'm willing to donate my OEM rear TRD Offroad bilsteins to whoever has a shock dyno to quantify and de-mystify this issue (provided they pay for all shipping costs, and actually do some testing).

As others have said, the difference is night and day, and with the Fox 2.5 rears it finally feels like a normal car. To solve the issue completely, I still need to replace the fronts with Fox 2.0/2.5 but id say 70-80% of the harsh ride is fixed with the rears alone.

 

[Dario]

but id say 70-80% of the harsh ride is fixed with the rears alone.

What Fox 2.5 rears did you get? I'm seeing many 2.5s (500R, 600R, Performance, Performance Elite, and others). Did you shop by price or for what you thought would give the best ride?

I went back further in the discussion. It looks like you got these for the rear. That seems like a really good price so solve 70%+ of the ride issues.

 

[zcmack]

Judging by the article here: https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2025-toyota-4runner-trd-pro-suspension-long-term-update.html probably not.

"i had to reach behind the wheel to turn this dial and it didn't make it ride like a lexus, wtf!"

 

[porkyfly]

What Fox 2.5 rears did you get? I'm seeing many 2.5s (500R, 600R, Performance, Performance Elite, and others). Did you shop by price or for what you thought would give the best ride?

https://ridefox.com/products/toyota...-4dc73621?year=2025&make=Toyota&model=4Runner

the 2.0 performance shocks also work, but the reason why i got the 2.5 is because if i ever wanted to change the fronts aswell the 2.5 fronts are closer to stock ride height (they are shorter both compressed and extended according to the fox website). The 2.0’s will make the front sit higher than stock according to @alldogsoffroad

the main criteria was best ride comfort and lowest price

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