Rough Ride...

[mattb2003]

On my recently purchased 2007 T4R (SR5), I'm noticing that highway driving is kind of rough. I drove to work a few days ago taking the same road on my 1994 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla is old, but feels much more comfortable where the 4Runner it seems like I can feel every bump in the road and there seems to be some bump steer. The suspension was checked before I bought it and they said everything looked good. The seller also replaced the tires with Michelin Cross Terrains before I purchased it. I didn't notice the issue above before I bought it, but also didn't have a chance to take it on the highway at higher speeds before purchasing.

Could I just be used to my car and the 4Runner is inherently more truck-like in the way it drives? I also thought of having the alignment checked as well as the tire pressure. Is there anything else that could be causing this?

 

[Absolute]

When I first got my 4r it drove just like a car if not better. I would recommend getting your tires balanced and grease your drive shaft(s)
Alignment would be a good start after you have the tires balanced and the shafts lubed.

 

[eskimochaos]

When I first got my 4r it drove just like a car if not better. I would recommend getting your tires balanced and grease your drive shaft(s)
Alignment would be a good start after you have the tires balanced and the shafts lubed.

How will any of that solve a "supposed" rough ride?

 

[MikesToy]

Maybe your tires are low on air.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

Maybe your tires are low on air.

I was thinking too much air, but along the same lines for sure.

 

[M1911]

I was thinking too much air, but along the same lines for sure.

That's what I was thinking. Possibly overinflated.

The Michelin CrossTerrains are good tires -- I've put about 50,000 miles on mine.

The 4Runner is a body-on-frame truck with a high center of gravity and a solid rear axle. It rides pretty well for a truck, but you'll never mistake it for a car.

 

[mattb2003]

Thanks - I'm going to check out the tires and see if that could possibly be what it is. If not, I may just not be used to how it drives yet...

 

[Absolute]

How will any of that solve a "supposed" rough ride?

When your tires are out of balance depending on how bad it will cause a vibration, making for a rough ride. Along with the drive shaft, if I don't grease mine after a few thousand miles I get a weird vibration throughout the entire 4r. And for it riding like a car ii guess that depends on what car u compair it to. I was compareing it to a 07 Impala SS. Now the 4r vs bmw 550 ....
Just my input:bluejump:

 

[Chef-j]

Have you try ride in other 4runner? Everyone has diff taste imo, do i think my ride is rough? yes, but my fiance doesn't think that.
Maybe try new shocks? If you are going to try new shocks, skip KYB/monroe. I do have those and it feels just like stock which i like

 

[firefight1981]

Old thread, but good info. My 2007 t4r also rides rough. I can feel every single bump and the vehicle rattles. Comparing the drive to 2017 Ram. Will check tire pressure in each tire, but this vehicle is not a smooth riding machine by any means.

 

[y=mx+b]

Old thread, but good info. My 2007 t4r also rides rough. I can feel every single bump and the vehicle rattles. Comparing the drive to 2017 Ram. Will check tire pressure in each tire, but this vehicle is not a smooth riding machine by any means.

do you have aftermarket suspension or is it still stock?

In my opinion, a lot of aftermarket suspensions offer higher spring rates to achieve lift, rather than a longer coil, which makes them ride too stiff. I'd prefer lower spring rate, longer coil unless you have a lot of extra weight to manage

 

[Bluesky 07]

Re: the suspension, just b/c everything looked good doesn’t mean it is good. If you’re still on the original shocks & springs, that’s probably the issue.

 

[firefight1981]

I have 07 with 175k miles. First time 4runner owner. Drive great on highway, but this thing is bumpy and noisy when driving on gravel roads, speed bumps, pot holes, etc...
People say this rides like a truck, but I guess it's just a noisy vehicle when driving on rough areas.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I have 07 with 175k miles. First time 4runner owner. Drive great on highway, but this thing is bumpy and noisy when driving on gravel roads, speed bumps, pot holes, etc...
People say this rides like a truck, but I guess it's just a noisy vehicle when driving on rough areas.

Original suspension?

 

[Ralph Blake]

Could be really stiff shocks.

 

[weespeed]

I had 234k miles on my original shocks. On the freeway in N. Ca, you could feel everything and on really bumpy roads, I felt like it was out of control.

Installed TRD Pro Bilsteins and the ride is stiffer but is in total control.
Same drive on the same roads feels a lot better.

I'm guessing it's your shocks and struts. They probably need replacing.

 

[Keros]

I have 07 with 175k miles. First time 4runner owner. Drive great on highway, but this thing is bumpy and noisy when driving on gravel roads, speed bumps, pot holes, etc...
People say this rides like a truck, but I guess it's just a noisy vehicle when driving on rough areas.

If by noisy, you mean clanking, it could be the sway bar bushings are toast. The sway bar will move around as the wheels twist it around, making some pretty gnarly sounds. The handling problems it causes are much more subtle than the banging & clunking.