Need a smooth comfortable ride

[MAC]

I have a 2003 sr5 v6 and the daily ride is to bumpy and rough for me. I know every one is going to give me a hard time about the ride but in 2000 I got injured at work and it caused nerve damage to parts of the left side of my body, the bumpy ride causes my shoulder to pop in and out of socket, I have wanted a 4run for a long time so I bought this one, now I am going to trade in my truck for something else unless I can make my 2003 a better ride. I would trade in for a 2006/7 4runner if the ride was better, also how does lifting the truck affect the ride comfort. I would really appreciate any help in this situation.


THANKS

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Not to be a smart azz, but you should consider a different vehicle if back problems require you to have a "smooth" ride. (My girlfriend has an '02 Highlander and it is a softer ride than my 'trucky' 4Runner.)

If you still want an SUV, consider a Toyota Highlander - basically a tall Camry; or you may just want to buy a luxury sedan.

Hope you get better soon!

 

[Thai]

Jeff is right. My fiance's Highlander rides on clouds! The only bad thing is that it does float at times on the highway or over big "whoopies" (as my niece calls them).

Lifting will NOT make your ride better.

Has the ride gotten worst since you bought it?? If so, then your shocks may be worned out. I would consider switching out your shocks if they are worn out. Monroe also makes some nice soft shocks for 4runners. Do NOT get Bilsteins for your needs.

Maybe try to lower the tire pressure a tad bit...this may soften the ride a bit. Of course, lower a few psi only...don't pull a Ford Exploder!

Get softer tires...i hear that Goodyear Fortera with SilentArmor provides a nice ride or Michelin CrossTerrains.

Good luck.

 

[Kmvreter]

I have a 2003 sr5 v6 and the daily ride is to bumpy and rough for me. I know every one is going to give me a hard time about the ride but in 2000 I got injured at work and it caused nerve damage to parts of the left side of my body, the bumpy ride causes my shoulder to pop in and out of socket, I have wanted a 4run for a long time so I bought this one, now I am going to trade in my truck for something else unless I can make my 2003 a better ride. I would trade in for a 2006/7 4runner if the ride was better, also how does lifting the truck affect the ride comfort. I would really appreciate any help in this situation.


THANKS

What tires do you have and how much are they inflated? I have an SR5 on the stock Dunflops at 35psi and it is smooth to me. As good as many cars I've been in. Definitely better than econobox cars. Way better than the rough Jimmy I had.

 

[MAC]

my truck has 265 65 17 dunlop at20 grandtrek tires and it only has 24000 miles on it , also the dealer told me to keep the pressure around 40 which I thought was high

 

[Thai]

also the dealer told me to keep the pressure around 40 which I thought was high

NO. Yet another evidence why you should not listen to the salesman. Read the owner's manual. Look at the door jam. Stick with what Toyota engineers recommends, NOT what the dealership tells you.

 

[MAC]

I looked in door jam, I will set them at 32 tomorrow and hope it makes the ride better cause I really want to keep my runner, the mechanic said these tires can be inflated to 51 psi so I would keep them around 40. I should have went with what I had them at which was 35. I am an idiot for listening to him but I figured he was a mechanic at toyota so he would know. thanks everyone for your help

 

[Kmvreter]

I looked in door jam, I will set them at 32 tomorrow and hope it makes the ride better cause I really want to keep my runner, the mechanic said these tires can be inflated to 51 psi so I would keep them around 40. I should have went with what I had them at which was 35. I am an idiot for listening to him but I figured he was a mechanic at toyota so he would know. thanks everyone for your help

The 51 psi is the max pressure at the max load (stamped on the tire) and they will be very stiff. There is no way you will get the max load on all 4 tires with them mounted on a 4500+ lbs. T4Runner. Run them at 32 for comfort.
I can't see selling the T4R just because of this (unless you want to buy a land yacht.) If you are looking anyways then it couldn't hurt to test drive a new Limited with the air suspension just to see. Or a Lexus GX? Keep it in the Toyota family.

Or suck it up and take the pain for the rest of us. (j/k) Good luck.

 

[AlexJet]

If you want to keep 4Runner, I'd recommend to change shocks to Rancho 9000 Adjustable Shocks. With this setup you can set them to soft or firm ride as you need.

 

[tarpon]

I had the same feeling when I went for a test ride. Jiggley ride. This was back in Jan 2006. I went back in April, still looking, and the new 2006 4runners had rear coil springs. The ride was much improved, the jiggle was gone. I wanted to test one with the air springs, but they didn't have one yet.

I would definitely try out the air spring version, as I find it is the leaf springs that cause the problem not the shocks. The coil sprung version is quite an improvement.

Hadn't had the time to test one lately, waiting for the August sales .

 

[Uneek]

I would definitely try out the air spring version, as I find it is the leaf springs that cause the problem not the shocks. The coil sprung version is quite an improvement.

I think all 4th gen 4Runners have rear coils, no leaf springs, except V8 Limiteds with the air suspension. Those have airbags.

 

[Thai]

I had the same feeling when I went for a test ride. Jiggley ride. This was back in Jan 2006. I went back in April, still looking, and the new 2006 4runners had rear coil springs. The ride was much improved, the jiggle was gone. I wanted to test one with the air springs, but they didn't have one yet.

I would definitely try out the air spring version, as I find it is the leaf springs that cause the problem not the shocks. The coil sprung version is quite an improvement.

Hadn't had the time to test one lately, waiting for the August sales .

Uhh...i think that you're in the wrong decade! 4runners have not had leaf springs for a long time now....