14DC rides like a dumptruck - what am i missing?

2014 Double Cab - 102K miles
1" Level, 275/70/18 KO2, Leer canopy.
Looking at $3000+ in parts (self repair) or selling the truck..

Drives fine in town, but hwy 60-70mph constant vibrating & every crack is a hard hit.
Is it a suspension wear part causing trouble or do Tundras just ride like a dumptruck?

3x balanced tires, 2x alignments. Greased u-joints, re-torqued UCA/LCA, unbolted + retorqued shocks, removed diff drop spacers. Did 100k front/rear diff oil with Amsoil.

Top culprits-
Shocks? (Aren't rusted like 100k miles, but service record doesn't show replacement)
Steering Rack Bushings? (+/- 1/4" play lock-to-lock)
- Have energy suspension replacements, waiting for a rainless weekend)
CV Axles? (1/8" horizontal play on passenger, 1/16" on driver)

Possible culprits-
Wheel Bearings? (no howling, no side-side rocking)
Tie Rods Inner+Outer? (no excessing rotating or slop)
UCA or LCA? (no leaky ball joints)
Transfer case fluid?
Trans fluid?

I had a 2012 Silverado 1500, 295's w/ 2" lift on Fox 2.0 all around. Drove amazing on hwy, with slide in camper, or on washboards with a truck full of bikes and riders. Had a 2016 Tacoma previously, did not like the 5100 leveling kit and 33's. Went back to stock 4600 w/ 265's and drove great again.

I love the power, looks, storage and toyota reliability. But our 20+ yr old busted work trucks are more comfortable to drive. Sorry for the rant, not sure where to go from here.

 

Most likely the shocks are the black ones. They only last about 30K miles. I would start there.

 

Shocks are the 4600 Bilstein Off-Roads (yellow+blue)
They don't look like they have 100k miles, minimal rust, lower eyelet bushing looks ok. They appear to have been replaced at some point, but no date on the maintenance log.

 

Still easy enough to pull one and see if it is flat.

 

The Bilstein 4600’s are a great shock if you are hauling and towing a lot…empty they definitely ride rough. I have personally used and seen the same results in many applications.

If they are the OEM Toyota branded Bilstein yellow and blue shock (valved very differently than a 4600) then it may simply time for replacement.

 

That’s unusual for sure.. I’d guess it’s the shocks or possibly the spacer lift? Tires over inflated? I replaced the coilovers and rear shocks at 110K miles 3/1.5 lift and the ride firmed up but never was or is harsh like you described! Spacers will make the ride stiffer. If you’re going to replace the shocks get adjustable coilovers. Under 2k easy and should improve the ride?

 

I've been on the hunt for some OEM 4600 off-road takeoffs, wanted to throw those on to see if that's the issue.
Tempted to go with FOX 2.0's, there are some deals out there for $1,200. But I have a feeling its not worn out shocks.
A buddy recently got stage 3 Icon on his 2020 Tundra, was raving about how great the ride was. We were shuttling bikes on a fireroad, the bottom out + body roll was noticeably great. But still felt like my truck, teeth rattling like we were inside a paint mixer. I'm starting to worry this is a Tundra thing.

 

Tires are 30 front / 35 rear. These are my first time on K02's though. Had duratracs on last 2 trucks.
Spacers do suck, no arguing around that. What shocks did you put on your truck ?

 

Toyota OEM suspension is where Toyota cut corners. TRD or otherwise. The suspension does not last and rides progressively worse from 30,000 miles on. YMMV, but this has been the case for any Toyota truck I have owned.

 

I had a fairly severe front end vibration (2010 DC) that turned out to be a front end alignment (excessive toe). That may not be your only issue, given the rough ride, but its easy to check, and probably a good idea to check if you are making any changes to the suspension setup as it is.

 

As others have indicated, I'd imagine it's got to be the hockey puck spacer lift sitting on top of a possibly worn out shock. Spacer lifts are notoriously rough at speed when hitting bumps etc. Also, 1" doesn't *technically* level the truck. Check your rear leafs and see if they're flat. Same with worn out rear shocks. Good luck.

As an aside, I had the Fox 2.0 coilovers set to 2" (leveled the front end) of my 2014 DC. They rode like a dream compared to the yellow and blue TRD offroad shocks that were removed at 100k. $1200 seems to be a decent price for them in todays market. I think I paid about $1000 for mine.

 

It was a few years ago, ToyTec Boss kit that was about $1000. No spacers and rear shackles.

take offs show up here once in awhile
https://www.tundras.com/forums/2-5-gen-tundra-parts-marketplace-2014-2021.29/

 

What's your bump stops look like? Do they look like they're frequently getting action?

May wanna upgrade to Wheeler's or Sumo.