Can someone help me? I'm new to Toyota 4x4's, I recently moved to an area where I must drive 6miles a day on a forestry road. I bought the 4runner for my pregnant wife, as a reliable means of transportation. I have the stock 16" wheels, with brand new 265x75r16 BFG AT's.

On the trail, this is the roughest riding truck I have ever been in. I've owned just about every full size SUV imagineable, bronco's, blazers, scouts, etc.. This is throwing us around like rag-dolls on the trail. I can feel every bump and rock, and we're getting really frustrated with it. I assumed IFS to be a better ride than my 77 scout with dana 44's in the front.

I've looked online and cannot find a solution to soften the ride. Can anyone help? I'm about ready to sell her.

A lot of the rough ride comes from the rubber "overload" springs in the rear (rubber cones inside the coil springs).

Once they start making contact, the ride really gets nasty.. and the rear springs on 4Runners have a habit of settling with age, making more contact.

I use Monroe air shocks on the rear to partially overcome permanent added weight due to various mods, and the lift the back end up a bit..

The ride when the shocks are pumped up to 100psi improves significantly.. I'm sure no doubt to keeping the axle from hitting the rubber cones inside the rear springs...

The other thing that causes a rough ride is the front anti-sway bar is very stiff.. and when you hit a bump that wants the rock the vehicle side ways, the stiff sway bar snaps it right back..

I presume they did this to make the vehicle as roll over proof as possible on the highway.. For this reason I haven't touched mine, but sure would like an easy in-cab disconnect when off road..

Take a quick look at the diameter of the front sway bar and you'll see what I mean..

Tire choice and pressure has a lot to do with the harness of the ride, too. I went in to buy the BFG AT and the sales guy talked me into trying the Yoko's due to having a load rating more in line with a light-weight Gen3 4Runner.

For the streets, I run my Yok's at 38psi, but that rattles my molars out on dirt roads. Even 36psi makes it a lot better... it seems that the light-weight 4Runner is sensitive to tire pressure.

~Dave

Man I'm on the same "smooth" quest and have a pregnant wife Let me know if you get it smoothed out