2008 Rough Ride-Please Help

[JMRINS]

We have a new to us 2008 200 with 80,000 miles on it. I bought this to replace my wife's 99 100 with over 250K on the odometer and until a couple of weeks ago I had only driven it a couple of times around town. Well, after a 5hr. vacation drive, I became VERY disappointed in the way the 200 handled bumps at highway speeds. Kinda felt like the rear (especially passenger side rear) took an extra bounce and is a bit jarring. I searched, read and posted in an older thread ( https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ride-quality-when-loaded-suspension-vibration.566825/) about rough riding while loaded down. Now, after a little more driving this weekend, it just seems to be a rough rear bounce at all times.

Solutions in the other thread suggest replacing the rear shocks with hydraulic shocks. I'm fine with that as long as that is a "fix" to the problem...but the person that suggested it didn't give any reasoning nor evidence why.

This is a clean vehicle and i know the previous owner. It has always been meticulously maintained and has never been in any type of accident. Any and all suggestions are very much appreciated. We love the 200 but I find it extremely disappointing that our 100 rode so much better. THANKS

 

[steenh]

That's not my experience at all before I did the lift, and it's even better now with it lifted. Sounds to me like worn out rear shocks. My 200 rides so much nicer than my 100, and I didn't have any complaints about the 100 at all.

 

[Archtaan]

Ill bet your rear shocks are simply just worn. While they only have 80K on them, they are still 9 years old and had to support a 6000# truck all that time.

 

[Oakleyguy]

We have a new to us 2008 200 with 80,000 miles on it. I bought this to replace my wife's 99 100 with over 250K on the odometer and until a couple of weeks ago I had only driven it a couple of times around town. Well, after a 5hr. vacation drive, I became VERY disappointed in the way the 200 handled bumps at highway speeds. Kinda felt like the rear (especially passenger side rear) took an extra bounce and is a bit jarring. I searched, read and posted in an older thread ( https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ride-quality-when-loaded-suspension-vibration.566825/) about rough riding while loaded down. Now, after a little more driving this weekend, it just seems to be a rough rear bounce at all times.

I've been wondering the same, I experienced a similar bounce on a test drive of a 2008 with 69k miles.

 

[JMRINS]

Since shocks seem to be the staring place, any recommendation on what (gas vs. hydraulic and Brand) to go with? I'm keeping this one stock since it's my wife's so a lift shock is too far down the road to even consider....for now

 

[arich]

Since I started all those threads I'll chime in. The stock suspension sucks for all but soccer moms, I think that's universally agreed.
I still have not found the perfect suspension but the suspension kit that I am working on with Brian Jowett utilizing the Bilstein shocks is really good. It's in the final stages of testing.
Contact Brian and get on his waiting list for this set up.

 

[AGreekBoy]

Hey man its Anest. I would just replace it with Toyota . How are you liking the 200? We bought one as well for the family. Hope your doing good.

 

[JMRINS]

Anesti, we love it. I put first dibs on it when a friend bought it years ago..., we've been waiting a while on this one. As for the ride, I guess i'll replace with OEM shocks and get the wheels balanced and torqued down evenly and see if that helps, then possibly look into one of the suspension kits Brian Jowett is working on down the road

 

[AGreekBoy]

We love ours as well. I wont be touching ours for a while. They would look nice with some bumpers and lift though.

 

[AGreekBoy]

Are you selling the 100?

 

[JMRINS]

It sold, quick! I truly had a line of buyers but the #1 took it no questions asked...giving it to his twin boys that are about to drive. I kinda wish i would've kept it to play with but too late now

 

[SWUtah]

I kept mine glad I did.

 

[EverywhereBear]

What tires/pressures are you running? I find on my 08LX that small changes in tire pressure makes a big difference. Every time I take it to the dealership for service they jack up the tire pressures to 36psi - and it rides like crap. I then drop them down to 33 psi it changes the ride significantly.

 

[SWUtah]

What tires/pressures are you running? I find on my 08LX that small changes in tire pressure makes a big difference. Every time I take it to the dealership for service they jack up the tire pressures to 36psi - and it rides like crap. I then drop them down to 33 psi it changes the ride significantly.

I've played with mine, normal for me is 35 PSI and I run on sport setting. I like a stiffer ride.

 

[JMRINS]

What tires/pressures are you running? I find on my 08LX that small changes in tire pressure makes a big difference. Every time I take it to the dealership for service they jack up the tire pressures to 36psi - and it rides like crap. I then drop them down to 33 psi it changes the ride significantly.

IT'S FIXED!!!!.... I really didn't think about tire pressure. I had it serviced just before we left for the trip and guess what, they inflated to 44psi per the sidewall (20" Michelin LTX2's). Just let them down to 33 and took it for a 30mi. round trip and ALL IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!.

Thanks to everyone for posting possible solutions. I can't believe I didn't think about too much air pressure but that was the culprit.

 

[T4Runner]

A free fix is a good fix!

 

[Archtaan]

Awesome. I run mine cold at 35 and they heat to about 40 during a normal commute. Anything less than 35 and they feel a bit squirmy.

 

[SWUtah]

IT'S FIXED!!!!.... I really didn't think about tire pressure. I had it serviced just before we left for the trip and guess what, they inflated to 44psi per the sidewall (20" Michelin LTX2's). Just let them down to 33 and took it for a 30mi. round trip and ALL IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!.

Thanks to everyone for posting possible solutions. I can't believe I didn't think about too much air pressure but that was the culprit.

Glad to hear your fix was that easy. My dealer always sets my tires at 35 psi. Lexus recommends 33 psi. I think the dealer compensates for mom's that never check their tires and possible temperture changes between oil change intervals.