New Taco jittery ride

Hi Folks,

So far loving my new 2021 SR5 DCLB, but the ride, especially on certain roads, has a bit of a jumpy feeling to it. I've driven a 2003 2WD 2 Door Taco and a 2007 Tundra double cab Limited before this, so I'm relatively used to the stiffness that comes with driving a pickup truck as opposed to an SUV or smooth driving sedan, etc.

But I'm a little concerned with my passengers sometimes. It feels almost like the whole truck "bounces" a bit like a diving board when you hit a couple of small bumps, even just pavement cracks that have been filled. At highway speeds the other day I noticed the empty passengers seat just wobbling back and forth in rhythm.

In short, I don't really care much, and I'm sure certain things like the transmission, tires, and suspension will break in more and probably smooth out a bit, but I want to make sure I'm also not deliberately ignoring a possible wheel balancing or suspension issue that could be addressed and make the ride a little less...jaunty.

Truck is brand new, only about 500 miles on it so far, stock tires, only a bed mat in the back (same thing happens with or without the mat).

 

What pressure are the tires at?

 

Looks like they fluctuate anywhere from 35-37 PSI or so during driving. (I like this handy pressure monitor on the dashboard)

 

32 cold is spec for SRs...doesn't look like you're too far off.

The black Hitachi shocks are known to be rough.

 

I'm hoping it's just the shocks and they'll break in a little bit. Like I said, I'm actually okay with the ride, more or less. It's more that I feel a little bad for my wife or dog in the passenger seat watching them jitter around going down roads slightly less smooth than a pane of glass lol.

 

Plus I literally drove it off the dealer lot brand new like this, with these tire PSI's, so I'm assuming this is how it goes with the Taco and we'll just get used to it.

I've already transported a bunch of tables, paddleboards and whatnot in it, so I wouldn't trade it back for my Impreza in a million years. And I'm saying that as someone who did like that little manual transmission hatchback Sub.

 

Lower the tire air pressure to spec. It’s on your door jam and will be about 32psi. It will increase as you drive and the tires heat up.

 

I have a 2019 Off Road and it's pretty unstable at times on rough windy Illinois roads.

The only thing that I have found that really helps is when the bed has several hundred pounds back there.

 

Maybe your memory of how a pickup rides is foggy? I’m IT guy. I always assume user error before admitting my own mistakes.

 

Aside from getting the right tire pressure, I would have the dealer check wheel and tire balance.

 

Look into sumosprings. Maybe this will help. Also possible shock upgrade.

 

Go tacomaworld spending habits! No problem cannot be solved by throwing a bunch of money at it.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/suspension-question-for-sr5.736798/#post-26230314

@JaCado

 

Hmmmm, my Tacoma rides pretty smooth unless I'm on rough roads or see elevation changes. Maybe tire pressure is too high or something is off balance?

 

Welcome to tw …the ride won’t get better it is what is with those stock shocks best bet be to upgrade them or find a used pair of off road or pro ones .

 

It's possible. My family still has the 2007 Tundra, so I have recent experience with that one and it's definitely smoother.

And my original Taco was so different (and had a cap on the back), that it's probably not a fair comparison.

Sounds like lowering the air pressure is the way to go, I'm thinking.

 

While I’ve driven 3 different 3rd gen configurations and barely noticed the difference during daily driving, many people on here report that the Sport shocks are “stiff”.

 

Hammer hangar timer!!

 

Don’t drive a 3/4 ton F250. With no weight in the back, that thing has almost bounced me off the road! Like driving over a rub board.

Try adding a little weight in the back, might surprise you.

 

Drop 5 PSI.
It may not fully satisfy you, but it's going to make a measurable difference.