TRD OR highway ride - better shocks?

I'm looking to improve the highway ride of my 2023 Crewmax Hybrid Offroad. My daily commute is mostly hwy and I find the truck to have a busy/jittery ride over small bumps and imperfections on an otherwise smooth road. I've brought this up with my dealer 3 times since the truck was new and after test driving they tell me it rides normally... My company owns several other trucks (all GM) and I did have a similar problem with our 2020 Sierra SLT 3500 SRW, which I fixed by replacing the factory Rancho shocks with a set of Bilstein 5100 shocks. It now rides beautifully on the hwy for a 1 ton truck. Being a 1/2 ton, the Tundra is much softer over potholes, etc, but it's surprisingly not as smooth on the hwy. It seems like every little bump affects the ride. I expected more from the factory Bilsteins to be honest.

Also, as a note, this has not changed between the factory Michelin tires and the Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires (both P rated) set at the correct pressure. I would like to run slightly larger LT rated tires, but I'm worried about making it even worse on the hwy...

Anyway, I'm not really interested in lifting the truck (maybe a level), but I do tow a lot of boats (my business) during the warmer months so I was planning to add Airlift bags in the rear to stop squat when needed. If I'm going to replace the shocks, I want to figure out what aftermarket shocks would be best for hwy and towing use? I can get Icon and Fox shocks at a discount, but don't have to go that route.

As a related note; Overall I like this truck and trim level, but have considered trading it for a Platinum/1794 with AVS and rear air to hopefully get a better ride and factory self leveling. I really don't know if it's worth the extra money though, and when I looked into it, I would take a hit on trade, which I'm not real excited about.

I'd appreciate everyone's thoughts and advice!

 

I have the same truck, except mine is a 2024. I have not experienced anything like what you have described. My truck's ride is fantastic on both city streets and the highway. Mine is solid over small and large bumps. Maybe you got some faulty shocks from the factory? If anything, mine rides too fantastic, sometimes it doesn't feel like a truck, but it's always been stable and smooth, regardless of the road conditions.

 

I have a 2024 Limited 4X4 with the standard black Limited shocks and 20” wheels with Yokohama terrible tires. Rode smooth on asphalt, but terrible “washboard” on concrete highways. Just changed shocks/ struts to TRD OR shocks/struts and TRD PRO 18” wheels with Falken Wildpeaks 285/65 18 and now rides like a dream. Still truck like but smoother on rough concrete highways and smooth asphalt. Changed from stock shocks and 20” wheels to TRD shocks and 18” wheels on my 2016 Tundra and it made a big difference. If you are towing regularly, air bags will definitely help and provide adjustable assistance when needed. There seems to be considerable squat without air bags or full time helper springs.

 

Try something (if you haven’t already ) Put 100lbs of whatever just in front of the tailgate. secured, and see what you think.
My 23 Lim TRD OR rides like a dream for a truck. It still has the OEM Falkens. A little weight in the back makes it even smoother.

 

Yeah, considering it has bilsteins I feel like one or more of them is defective. I haven't seen one leaking fluid, but I haven't looked closely and it certainly feels like a defective/poor quality shock. I wish I could get my dealer to agree that something is wrong and try a new set of shocks or something. I don't really want to try a different dealer, but maybe I have to...

 

Interesting, so you upgraded to the shocks I have and it improved your ride. That also makes me think one or more of my shocks are defective...

 

I'll give that a try to see if it makes a difference. I haven't really had any weight in the back lately, but I do remember the ride being a bit smoother with some weight or towing a larger boat. Still though, it should be better at handling small bumps/imperfections when unladen.

 

Tires make a significant difference. I swapped the lowly OEM Michelins for Cooper Discover XLT AT3 on 20 inch rims but only lasted one summer with them as they were too heavy and too hard, resulting in a poorer ride. Great tire and loved the look but not the feel. Sold them and bought Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Now rides very nice. Happy.

 

Ya load E are going to hurt the ride for sure , I have cooper at3, but the 4s model p rated and they ride awesome

 

I found my TRD OR ride was a bit stiff and even when I put the levelling kit in. When I put the 1" rear spacer in, the rear really softened up. This made the ride much better overall. I have "E" rated tires so mine will be harsher than your "P" rated tires. I am not too sure why the ride improved with the spacer but I am happier now. My previous truck was a Ridgeline which had a car suspension and that thing was super smooth.

Try adding a bit of weight (maybe a couple of hundred pounds) to the bed and see if that helps.

 

The ride got softer with a 1” spacer? I’ve never heard that before lol

 

I know it sounded crazy when I wrote it. I think the shocks have a bit more room to move now. That is the only thing I can think of.

 

I agree with you. I'm pretty careful about what tires I choose for our trucks. The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is my favorite Spring to Fall truck tire. Four of our trucks have them or the previous M/S2. I was actually thinking about getting them for the Tundra as I don't particularly like the OEM LTX Trail. That said, the ride issue hasn't noticeably changed between the OEM Michelins and the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. We've had DM-V2s on a 2010 Sierra 1500 SLE Z71 for 4 or 5 winters and that truck is smooth on the hwy (although I think it's original shocks are now due to be replaced). We've had DM-V2s on another family car (Acura RDX) as well and they have been great winter tires on all three. Super traction, very quiet, and smooth.

 

I found moving to 18" wheels/tires from the factory 20" wheels/tires on my 1794 improved the ride and handling substantially.

 

Interesting. Coming from an F-350, I found the ride of my 23 SR5 Double Cab TRD Off Road with 6.5 foot bed remarkable. It is more harsh and truck-like since adding the Airlift bags and compressor for $1700 installed. Good luck.

 

I have a 23 1794 TRD. Going from stock 20's to TRD Pro 18's made a small difference. Lost 1 mpg but rides better. Tire pressure matters a lot...I was running 40lbs cold and it was too stiff. Dropped to 35lbs cold and def helped. 30-32lbs would help even more but would lose gas mileage and contribute to edge wear. The new 1794 limited comes with the TRD Pro Suspension which tells me it rides the best...just my 2 cents worth. Keeping that 32 gal gas tank full and carrying a little weight will probably help too.

 

It happens, had a bad shock from factory on a brand new 2019 SR5 premium, straight from Japan.

 

Do you have the factory 3" lift? I do and it rides like a brick!

 

you have the TRD factory lift? or a dealer installed lift?

I have not heard a single complaint on the OEM TRD Lift especially without 35 load e under them

 

Yes, I do, and the ride quality blows. Even with the stock tires. My 2006 Dodge 2500 with E rated tires rode better.

 

can you snap a pic or two of the lift parts in the front?

 

here ya go.

 

looks good what's your tire pressure

 

says 41 in each tire on the app. For now. Those stock tires wont be on for long.

 

drop to 33-35 and road test

 

Well, it's getting new tires tomorrow (to replace those embarrassing Falkens) so I'm not going to mess with it, but hopefully the ride improves. It's not terrible, but it's definitely more "truck like" than I expected.

 

I was thinking about lowering tire pressure a bit more, but I really don't think that's it. I checked today and it was showing 35 PSI all around. That and some weight is worth a try though.

 

I'm really wondering about this; I'm going to have to have a close look at the shocks to see if any appear to be leaking.

 

No lift here. OEM OR suspension with red Bilstein shocks. Yeah, I know, it's filthy in this pic... It's winter and it still had a bunch of undercoating overspray too.

 

There is nothing wrong with the Falkens, they are a spec tire lighter than most and ride well for an semi-aggressive tire...people trash them because they aren't as tough and rugged as an LT. The truth is it's all 95% of us need, ride better than anything but a Michelin LTX, and get decent gas mileage. The new Tundra has a very stiff strong frame and the suspension and tires determine ride. Best of luck though, hope its a fluke bad shock or even a bad tire, sucks having issues with a new truck.