Just an observation.....by my wife

I have a 2015 DCLB Limited. It currently has 1500 miles on it. My wife said the ride was a bit rough while going over some speed humps and a few other bumps in the road. She drives a 2010 Acura MDX for comparison.

Here is my question: Is there a suspension upgrade for my truck that would give it a more comfortable ride on the road but not sacrifice any light off roading? I am not going stump jumpin in this truck. It's mostly for commuting and hauling stuff from the home improvement store, hunting on forest service roads, etc.

I think I read that the suspension on my truck is the same as the SR5. Not sure how that compares (good or bad) to the OR or Sport other than they are not Bilsteins.

Helpful thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

 

Looks like you have permission to go straight to the top!

Front: Rear:

 

People have mentioned Ikon suspension. But its over $1000.

 

Eh....trying to justify a suspension upgrade?

I have a DCSB OR and it's nowhere near as smooth as my Outback was or my wife's Canry is. Given that it's a truck, though, I wouldn't expect it to be.

 

There are numerous upgrades available to improve performance and ride. But the fact is an unloaded pickup with a solid axle and leaf springs will not ride as good as an SUV with independent rear coil suspension.

 

Uh...It's a TRUCK. The ride won't ever be like an SUV that is essentially a car. Most true off road suspensions will make for a stiffer (ie "harsher" in some people's mind) ride, especially at low speeds. As mentioned, TIRES have almost as much to do with ride quality at lower speeds as does the suspension.

 

Very true that tires are a major contributing factor to ride. However, since the truck is brand new with the stock P-load tires you are not going to find much that is softer.

 

The OP was asking about "upgrades". My comments on both tires and suspension were directed at that idea....."Upgrades" in all likelihood would make the truck ride stiffer and probably NOT to his wife's liking.

I'm still sticking with the "it's a truck" concept.....

I just took "P" rated Yokohama tires off my Tacoma and put Goodyear Duratracs on. (C's not the E's) It rides BETTER at certain speeds, harsher at others.

 

Aftermarket suspension upgrades can absolutely ride better than stock. Pick the right coils and rate, some nice shocks, can ride a lot nicer than stock. Don't know what stock tire you have, but if they are an A/T tire, I'm betting a nice set of Michelin light truck tires would ride a lot nicer. 2 cents

 

Agreed, just pointing out a suspension upgrade doesn't automatically mean stiff ride. Lots of factors depend on how a suspension will feel. Many will buy stuff in order to get as much lift as possible, which often results in a not so pleasant stiff ride. However when spec'd out right aftermarket can be a very plush ride. Not saying ding you didn't know that, bluegrass mentioned stiff ride.

 

Mine too, it took a little to tweek stuff, but it rides nice! It'll never ride like a Cadillac, but it definitely doesn't ride stiff or harsh. I also know all about aspect ratio, after all I am rolling on 315/75R16's. When I air down its like riding on giant marshmellows!

 

If its the speed bumps that she is noticing though putting a suspension on will for sure help that!

 

Take your time in choosing the right suspension for your truck. If you can't afford a quality suspension kit save your money till you can. Do it right the first time or you'll be doing it again down the road. I'm saying this from experience. Had an inexpensive pro comp kit put on my 2015 OR and it didn't drive too bad on paved roads then I got on fire roads with wash board and it was actually depressing how bad it road. I've recently swapped it out for a complete King kit and cannot believe the ride quality! Call Down South Motorsports and explain to them what you have and what you want and they can valve the shocks to your needs. Just my opinion.

 

You might want to just drive your truck for a little and break in everything before spending money on something that may come with a few more miles. 1500 miles if like brand new.

No harm in waiting.

 

speed bumps are a lot smoother taken at (twice the recommended) speed.....

 

If you'll read my post carefully, my comment was about a stiffer ride at low speeds. Higher speeds, a stiff suspension will make for a BETTER ride (ie, the comment about speed bumps @ 2X the speed...)

 

Larger diameter tires will roll over obstacles more smoothly. My truck is smoother in all aspects with my load E 33s, especially speed bumps.

 

No worries, OP said he wanted upgrades for less roughness. I would not describe my suspension as stiff, likewise if it had been described to me as stiff i would probably have steered away from it. Just wanted OP to know that aftermarket doesn't have to mean stiff. A lot of preload on a coilover equals a stiff rough ride. Mine is not that way, that is all. Sorry if I interpreted your statement incorrectly.

 

Put a couple hundred pounds in the back it will ride a lot better.

 

I suppose it needs to be said, even though MOST people already know it.....There are no "absolutes" with any of this........... We should probably say "In most cases", bigger tires, stiffer suspension, etc....will do certain things. But not ALWAYS the case. SOME bigger tires DON'T ride so well, some do. SOME stiffer suspensions ride better/worse, some don't. About the only thing that's close to being an absolute is, you change to something different, and you'll get a "different ride", possibly better, maybe not.