TRD Pro - Not So Pro Ride Quality!!!

[porkyfly]

I think I have too much time on my hands, this topic has become my pet research project!

Like porkyfly, I think geographic area and road conditions are the main contributor to the varying opinions on ride quality.

I have now driven every possible model configuration except the Trailhunter.

None of the variants are perfect for me "as is", and have therefore narrowed down my choices to:

1) ORP + suspension change (e.g. Fox 2.0 or Radflo 2.0 or LC Shocks)

2) Limited + 18" Wheels and more agressive tires


I figure that both options will cost about the same by the time I am done....

Option #1 is risky; I could in theory purchase a vehicle, replace the shocks, and still not like it.....
Therefore leaning towards #2. Also, the full time AWD will be a benefit during the snow season.

I have not driven a Land Cruiser but people report a softer on-road ride. Curious to learn more about that setup also.

Porkyfly, check out this video as another data point:

J

some useful reading: https://www.adsshocks.com/support/v...nqspz7fshk3fu-bemqomwjsfcwmbgg82mgzcprmspvf1i


it appears to me that the poor ride quality is caused by too much crack pressure on sharp high speed compressions. This could be caused by poor valving or lack of flutter as mentioned in the article. I remember alldogsoffroad saying something similar.

But also if you havent bought the 6th gen: why not just get a 5th gen and save yourself the headache? Buying a 6th gen basically locks you into an sr5 if you want acceptable ride quality lol

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[Desmolicious]

some useful reading: https://www.adsshocks.com/support/v...nqspz7fshk3fu-bemqomwjsfcwmbgg82mgzcprmspvf1i


it appears to me that the poor ride quality is caused by too much crack pressure on sharp high speed compressions. This could be caused by poor valving or lack of flutter as mentioned in the article. I remember alldogsoffroad saying something similar.

But also if you havent bought the 6th gen: why not just get a 5th gen and save yourself the headache? Buying a 6th gen basically locks you into an sr5 if you want acceptable ride quality lol

I’d way prefer to buy a 6gen and upgrade the shocks than deal w the bog slow 5gen, its awful gearbox and terrible economy.

 

[NotApplicable]

I’d way prefer to buy a 6gen and upgrade the shocks than deal w the bog slow 5gen, its awful gearbox and terrible economy.

Even a tire/wheel package may make whatever difference you are looking for. Buy one, live with it for awhile, and then mod. IMO.

(Except tires: I upgraded from the stock Limited AS to an AT in a slightly larger diameter immediately. But not for ride quality issues, as I don't have any of those personally.)

 

[JR_Ontario]

Try Turo

Good suggestion, had a search yesterday. No 2025's anywhere near me, but will keep checking. Some might pop up.

 

[127.0.0.1]

I didn't test ride a damn thing...except have over 280,000 miles
on my arse driving my '99 Limited 4runner, which is an entirely
different platform anywho

went to dealer dropped the loot for a 25 4runner, drove it home.
no test drive, nothing.



No regrets, no complaints
this 4runner is 100% perfect in every way and exactly what I expected

 

[Scrappopatamus]

Ponder this. Someone logs onto this forum to do a little research with regards to purchasing a 4Runner. They come across a thread like this which unfortunately is typical of this forum. Having never owned a 4Runner and reading this would put the vehicle off limits on my search for a new vehicle. Considering this particular thread was started by someone trolling, and you goons fell for it hook, line and sinker. The OP never posted photos of their vehicle, only responded to those folks with a Mangina and considering their signature and departure, and everyone keeps piling ion. If your 4Runner rides like a truck, maybe it equates to your 4Runner being a truck? Can't live with it, trade vehicles or please move on. It rode like it rides when you made the purchase and if you didn't take the time to take it for a spin before pulling the trigger considering your ideal vehicle's ride seems to be very important, that's on you. I don't think any of you winers have ever driven a truly rough riding, ill handling vehicle. Get yourself a Cadillac or Lincoln and join their forum please. Funny thing, over on the Land Cruiser forum some douche bag said that the reason he didn't purchase a 4Runner was because it reminded him of a Chevy. In their signature were a list of current steeds, all Italian, including a Fiat 500 (Clown Car) and several Alfa Romeos. This person feels they're an authority on vehicles while having a garage full of Euro Trash. Maybe some of you winers should join the Land Cruiser forum and make friends with this moron? Merry Christmas


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[NotApplicable]

Someone logs onto this forum to do a little research with regards to purchasing a 4Runner. They come across a thread like this which unfortunately is typical of this forum. Having never owned a 4Runner and reading this would put the vehicle off limits on my search for a new vehicle

I’d hope they’d take it for a test drive and come to their own conclusions!

Myself, I had read this thread and seen some similar posts elsewhere when my 4Runner arrived so I prepared for the worst when I went to pick it up, thinking I may back out of the deal after test driving based on the amount of dissatisfaction I’d seen.

Then I test drove the thing and found absolutely no aspect of the ride quality or NVH to be unexpected or negative compared to all of the other modern BoF/offroad-focused vehicles I’ve owned. A complete nonissue. That experience has been further validated now that I’ve put the vehicle through its paces on every surface imaginable. I truly have no idea what the others are experiencing.

BUT, I’m not upset that someone else doesn’t like a vehicle I do. And, I am a firm believer that the consumer deserves to be happy with their purchase. So if they’re unhappy with the characteristics of the 4Runner for whatever the reason, I fully support their decision to not buy it!

 

[TrdProGirl84]

I am a professional griper... but all my test drives literally were accompanied by a salesperson who 'guided' me a couple of blocks around the dealership. So it was very hard to get a real picture of how the truck would feel. However in that short time I did notice an SR5 rode better than an LTD set to comfort!
Pretty sure though that it will ride better than my 2 door Wrangler Rubicon!

I can see that! lol. I’m in a TRD Pro. I love it and the ride. I’d recommend you doing more research next time before you decide on what trim you’d like to purchase. (In detail when it comes to the suspension)

 

[Bernie]

I took my TRD Pro “off-road” for an extended tun yesterday. I put “Off-road” in quotes because it was really just state-maintained gravel fire roads, with some washboard, ruts and light rock spots. I drove in 4H with sway bars disconnected and Fox shocks on the middle setting. I felt the ride and handling were fantastic! Very comfortable even above 30 miles per hour. Very nice ride. No complaints.

 

[Archer]

Ponder this. Someone logs onto this forum to do a little research with regards to purchasing a 4Runner. They come across a thread like this which unfortunately is typical of this forum. Having never owned a 4Runner and reading this would put the vehicle off limits on my search for a new vehicle. Considering this particular thread was started by someone trolling, and you goons fell for it hook, line and sinker. The OP never posted photos of their vehicle, only responded to those folks with a Mangina and considering their signature and departure, and everyone keeps piling ion. If your 4Runner rides like a truck, maybe it equates to your 4Runner being a truck? Can't live with it, trade vehicles or please move on. It rode like it rides when you made the purchase and if you didn't take the time to take it for a spin before pulling the trigger considering your ideal vehicle's ride seems to be very important, that's on you. I don't think any of you winers have ever driven a truly rough riding, ill handling vehicle. Get yourself a Cadillac or Lincoln and join their forum please. Funny thing, over on the Land Cruiser forum some douche bag said that the reason he didn't purchase a 4Runner was because it reminded him of a Chevy. In their signature were a list of current steeds, all Italian, including a Fiat 500 (Clown Car) and several Alfa Romeos. This person feels they're an authority on vehicles while having a garage full of Euro Trash. Maybe some of you winers should join the Land Cruiser forum and make friends with this moron? Merry Christmas


/

It seems to me that the couple 4R forums I frequent there is a attitude that if you buy a different gen than the poster, it's junk. If you have their gen, it's the best since sliced bread.
I find it entertaining...

.

 

[Dr_Al]

If you want a grocery getter then buy a grocery getter. The 4Runner is designed on a pickup chassis. It's not light by any means so you can expect Toyota to make it as stable as possible. That means stiffer shocks and sway bar. If you're buying it primarily because of it's looks then expect to spend money to change the ride.

Then, of course, there's tires. Back in the day 28 psi was standard for a radial tire. Now, thanks to lawsuits and trying to get better fuel mileage, they new number has them in the low 30s. When I picked up my Rav4 they were at 36 psi. Just dropping them to 30 psi made a world of difference.

 

[Chicane]

Update after 400 miles with the Fox 2.0 performance shocks front/rear. I left the rear ride height stock and lowered the front collars about a 1/2" for a level ride. Driving it home from my friends shop, it felt stiff and I didn't feel much change, but as soon as day 2, day 3 and with more break in time, there is a noticed improvement when traveling over the same daily roads.

My TRD Sport Flintsones ride is no longer and now it rides more like my 2014 TRD Tacoma, as I expected. I can actually feel these shocks undulating/ moving over the small chatter, where as my stock shocks felt rigid/locked out (Mountain Bike term)

Toyota simply installed garbage OEM suspension and did NO real world testing.

 

[TrdProGirl84]

It seems to me that the couple 4R forums I frequent there is a attitude that if you buy a different gen than the poster, it's junk. If you have their gen, it's the best since sliced bread.
I find it entertaining...

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I don’t agree with that at all. People need to buy what trim is best for them at the end of the day and an opinion is only that. Don’t let someone taint it for you.

 

[Bernie]

What I find curious is that so many buyers want to hate on their dealers and the manufacturers. Really? There are so many options, why deal with anyone that you don’t like? In the end, buying from someone you like, trust, would go back to again, and recommend to others is a much more pleasurable experience. If you can’t find that, keep looking.

 

[Archer]

I don’t agree with that at all. People need to buy what trim is best for them at the end of the day and an opinion is only that. Don’t let someone taint it for you.

Well if your going to disagree with me, at least read the post. It's not the trim levels I was talking about.


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