TRD Pro - Not So Pro Ride Quality!!!

[timelapse]

I had to same observation on my TRD Off Road Premium. Felt rough compared to my 5th gen. Tires set at 33psi and balanced. After 15k, things feel a little better. Might just need some break-in time. In general though, I’d agree with others— the new frame design isn’t as smooth as previous gens.

edit: my 5th gen had 5100’s and Toytec coils, so not an apples to apples comparison. Had that truck for 240k and don’t remember how the stock suspension felt because I lifted it early.

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[K2mia]

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!

Similar experience in the trailhunter, terrible road quality is exaggerated in the bumpiness, but for most roads the ride quality is enjoyable and feels like what I was expecting and wanting out of this specific trim. On highways and smooth roads it glides and is very comfortable.

 

[Chicane]

I currently have 2700 miles on my Sport Prem and I concur about the ride quality wanting to rattle my teeth out on small chatter/braking bumps. I almost immediately removed the 20" wheels and installed TRD Pro BBS wheels with 265/70/18 Toyo AT3 SL tires at stock height. I've ran cold PSI from 31-33. It soaks up the bigger bumps/ dips and feels smooth, but the small chatter/ braking type bumps rattles the truck like I've never felt before in my 14 TRD Sport Tacoma. Square edge hits and craters in the HWY are also super harsh.

I'm looking to try anything to get better ride quality from going with the stock Wildpeaks that come on the OR model, or different suspension. I think a rear spring rate one lower than stock would make a big difference, but I know nothing about vehicle suspension, or what different option there are.

I will say that the truck rides great even at 80+ on semi smooth highways.

 

[4Rgurl]

personally I haven’t experienced this issue. The ride has been smooth and quiet for me. Where I live there are massive pot holes everywhere and it’s a breeze dealing with them now in my 4Runner after previously owning a 2017 RAV4 SE.

 

[GeoJay2020]

Driving my Pro since March. It certainly rides better than my previous Tahoe. I haven't noticed any issues with factory settings on the suspension.

 

[Charlie]

My TRD-Pro tires had 40 lbs of air at delivery. That’s the first thing I changed, helped a little. Next, the Fox shocks were set on 1 from the factory. The ride was extremely jiggly. It felt like the springs were dominating the ride, sending information from every flaw in the pavement. I found position 2, more damping (firmer), much more comfortable. I think in position 2, the springs were allowing more damping and rebound control and thus less road feedback and less jiggly. I’ve only tried 3 in all 4 corners for off-road and in the rears only while towing a 4000 trailer. The Pro feels great in all those settings, corners flat, no nose dive on braking and steers precisely. Setting number 1 feels too springy. At first, I didn’t understand that the firmest setting (3) didn’t refer to the firmest ride but the firmest damping and rebound.
Try the other settings, you may have the same results.

 

[ExploreMore]

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

I'm running 32 psi.

 

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Similar experience in the trailhunter, terrible road quality is exaggerated in the bumpiness, but for most roads the ride quality is enjoyable and feels like what I was expecting and wanting out of this specific trim. On highways and smooth roads it glides and is very comfortable.

Thanks for the feedback on the Trail Hunter. It's not just a Pro thing it's a chassis thing.

 

[ExploreMore]

Similar experience in the trailhunter, terrible road quality is exaggerated in the bumpiness, but for most roads the ride quality is enjoyable and feels like what I was expecting and wanting out of this specific trim. On highways and smooth roads it glides and is very comfortable.

The sad thing is it could've been addressed and prevented.

 

[ExploreMore]

My TRD-Pro tires had 40 lbs of air at delivery. That’s the first thing I changed, helped a little. Next, the Fox shocks were set on 1 from the factory. The ride was extremely jiggly. It felt like the springs were dominating the ride, sending information from every flaw in the pavement. I found position 2, more damping (firmer), much more comfortable. I think in position 2, the springs were allowing more damping and rebound control and thus less road feedback and less jiggly. I’ve only tried 3 in all 4 corners for off-road and in the rears only while towing a 4000 trailer. The Pro feels great in all those settings, corners flat, no nose dive on braking and steers precisely. Setting number 1 feels too springy. At first, I didn’t understand that the firmest setting (3) didn’t refer to the firmest ride but the firmest damping and rebound.
Try the other settings, you may have the same results.

This is valuable information, much appreciated. I will set all the shocks to 2 and see how it rides. Thank you!

 

[ExploreMore]

I currently have 2700 miles on my Sport Prem and I concur about the ride quality wanting to rattle my teeth out on small chatter/braking bumps. I almost immediately removed the 20" wheels and installed TRD Pro BBS wheels with 265/70/18 Toyo AT3 SL tires at stock height. I've ran cold PSI from 31-33. It soaks up the bigger bumps/ dips and feels smooth, but the small chatter/ braking type bumps rattles the truck like I've never felt before in my 14 TRD Sport Tacoma. Square edge hits and craters in the HWY are also super harsh.

I'm looking to try anything to get better ride quality from going with the stock Wildpeaks that come on the OR model, or different suspension. I think a rear spring rate one lower than stock would make a big difference, but I know nothing about vehicle suspension, or what different option there are.

I will say that the truck rides great even at 80+ on semi smooth highways.

Yes it's inability to not translate all of that chatter into the cabin and steering wheel in a brand new program is unheard of.

 

[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?

I'm on #1 all 4 shocks

 

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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!

I will adjust them to 2 tomorrow. Thanks for your input.

 

[ExploreMore]

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?

I can understand your position and opinion on my criticality. It's just a very common specification each OEM works to tune to through development. Having a lot of experience in newer vehicles from several OEM's - this is unfortunately a failure from my perspective, and if this were a Ford or GM it would never have made it through the development stages at this level of poor NVH.
No I didn't drive it. Sold my 5th Gen and found this after some searching. Every TRD Pro is typically pre-sold and those that aren't most dealers are reluctant to let folks go for rides. Nonetheless it's something I can bring up to the dealer and if enough people make similar complaints they may find a fix or some way to mask the issue. Maybe put out a TSB.

 

[6thGen1419]

my TRD ORP hybrid ride is better than my old 2009 F-150 and my wife's 2012 2wd Ford Escape.

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