Rear end feeling unstable at highway speeds.

I have a 2020 TRD OR with a 2/1 leveling kit installed (by previous owner). Love the truck to death. My only major gripe so far is the instability of the the rear end when going over uneven dips, bumps, imperfections on the highway at speeds between 50-80mph. The rear end feels "squirrely" when going over uneven portions on the highway. I have the stock Billsteins and the truck has 16k miles. I haven't tried any off roading washboard roads yet. Can this be remedied by a suspension upgrade?

I've been wanting to replace the fronts with Billstein 6112's, rear with 5160's, and upgrade the UCA's anyway but I also would like to get rid of the "squirrely" feel on the highway. This is my daily driver and it spends 95% of it's time in the city (San Jose CA).

Any advice appreciated! thanks!

 

Have you ever owned a truck before? Try putting some weight back there, an unloaded truck has certain dynamics that are unique.

 

The only truck I've owned was a 2002 Dodge Durango 5.9L 4x4 for 13 years. When it hit 189K miles, it had the same "squirrely" feel and unstable over uneven roads but occurred during slower speeds as well. Changed out all the suspension bushings and put new Billstien shocks and that fixed the unstable feel.

So I presume this is just normal for our trucks? Planning on getting a camper shell, would that be enough weight?

 

Kinda normal for a pickup with no load to feel "squirrelly " maybe a change of suspension could relieve some of it. But you may end up sacrificing elsewhere ( like payload)

 

Suv isn't quite the same in this regard as a truck. But, yeah the cap should be enough. You may need more, just try it and see. There is nothing unusual about your initial concern though. An empty pick up just does what you described.

 

My 2020 is planted on the highway.

 

When I had a 1" block in the rear the Tacoma handled like crap. New leaf pack fixed it. I bet it's your leveling kit.

 

My '16 Access cab OR (stock suspension) was squirrely like that unloaded.

My '19 DCSB Sport does it too, but not nearly as bad.

YMMV

 

What tires and what air pressure?

 

If the tires are overinflated it will really make the rear end with an empty bed feel squirrelly at speed

 

I didn't notice a difference when I put in a 1" rear block from Ready Lift, and 2" up front with Bilstein 5100's.

My guess, its your tires, or it never got an alignment, or the Traction bars were removed. I may be wrong on all 3 counts....

 

Put a camper shell on it . It will give you a more stable feeling platform .

 

yea, any more than 32 psi in my rear tires (with empty bed) and it bounces all over the place. try running 30 psi for a couple days and i guarantee it will be a lot better.

 

Appreciate the input guys! thanks! While driving on highway roads in Texas I've never noticed this. In California, the roads here suck and you can definitely feel the rear end break loose when going over pot holes on the highway. Tires run at 35 PSI cold temp. I'll try dropping it down to 32 and see what happens.

 

BFG K02's. 285/70/17 running at 35 psi.

 

Yeah i run my ST Maxx at 33 psi. Try that.

 

I noticed a small difference by adding the BakFlip tonneau cover (downforce on the rear of the truck). I'd think your suggestion of a camper shell would put even more downforce. Good idea.

 

I would say this is what you are feeling .

 

m shark if it's squirrely check your leaf springs. I had one on each side broken when I thought it was in the drive shaft. The mechanic really surprised me with that one.

 

Same with mine. When it had less than 5k miles it rode somewhat jittery when you went over 80 mph.