I want a smooth riding Tundra

[Ray Kane]

[quote=Cali D]

Originally Posted by Ray Kane

Shocks are expected to wear at about 50k. Now, if you had a new vehicle and one blew out at say 20k, that would be a different story.
The toyota shocks are about $85ea. (bilsteins) I paid $120 install at a local shop, call around some shops will charge over $200. I got my shocks $56ea. (%10 above dealer cost), since my cousin works there.
I think you'll be happy with ride once the shocks are replaced.
(BTW) I love the bilsteins. I don't find them stiff at all, and they tighten up the ride.

I have 30k on the truck
Are the factory shocks bilsteins?
Could shocks be replaced by a DIYer and would I need an alignnment afterwards?

[Cali D]

If they're yellow bilstein, blue tokico. I think bilsteins are for trd option, but they should work for non trd, keep in mind 2wd and 4wd use different shocks. Give dealer you're vin and they'll order the ones you want.
You could do it yourself, but they're a strut setup and a total B to do. I've replaced shocks before, but these are harder to do and you need a spring compression tool. If you've never done them before I wouldn't advise trying it yourself. At 30k the shocks should still be good, sounds like you could benefit from a bilstein shock.

[Ray Kane]

What is all the talk about putting in an air bag system in passenger trucks? other than the lowriders, obviously.

[Cali D]

On the tundra, you can use airbags in the rear for hauling heavy loads, and a smoother ride. If you want better handling you can use lowering shackles on the rear 1-2". I plan on using ground force on the rear to level the ride. There is a member jackburton who has pix of his.
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photo...0/ppuser/12743

[allrightnow]

Originally Posted by Ray Kane

What shocks and/or suspension will give me the smoothest ride with my 2003 Tundra AC? I very rarely tow and never go off road.

I have an '03 Limited and it was really smooth running the Toyota recommended air pressures with the GrandTek OEM tires . . . 29 front and 32 rear. Mileage was bad enough and the tires were wearing a little too fast. It was actually smoother than many cars I've been in. Now with Revos and 40 lbs all around, it is not as smooth, but smooth enough. Mileage still sucks, but I like it a lot better with the Revos. But, it's a truck and I don't really expect it to ride like a car.

[Azul]

Hi Ray Kane,

I have removed the over load leaf from the rear springs on my 2K Tundra. It made quite a difference in the ride. It also lowered the rear of my truck the thickness of the leaf, about a half inch. The now softer rear suspension also let it settle just a little. I also have the lowering shackles.

I would also recommend the helwig rear sway bar for much added stability in the corners as well as in wind conditions. The sway bar has no effect on the straight line ride. I believe you said you bought the BF Goodrich Long Trails. You might consider the Michelin SUV the next time you need a tire. It is a very well made quiet tire and usually needs very little weight to balance the tire.
Good luck to you on your mission.
Azul

[Ray Kane]

Originally Posted by Azul

Hi Ray Kane,

I have removed the over load leaf from the rear springs on my 2K Tundra. It made quite a difference in the ride. It also lowered the rear of my truck the thickness of the leaf, about a half inch. The now softer rear suspension also let it settle just a little. I also have the lowering shackles.

I would also recommend the helwig rear sway bar for much added stability in the corners as well as in wind conditions. The sway bar has no effect on the straight line ride. I believe you said you bought the BF Goodrich Long Trails. You might consider the Michelin SUV the next time you need a tire. It is a very well made quiet tire and usually needs very little weight to balance the tire.
Good luck to you on your mission.
Azul

Which leaf is the overload lear spring? Would this void my warranty {bought the extended warranty}
I am considering the Michelins as many other have suggested when these wear out.
Do the tundras normally sit with the front slightly lower than the rear? How can I tell if the fron end is sitting lower than it should?

[Chicho]

FOr tires, try the Goodyear Silient Armor's. I have them on the wife's 4 Runner and they are smooth and quiet. My 05 DC has Revos which are way better than the stock Dunlops. Also, Performance Product's progressive coil springs teamed up with Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks or Rancho 9000's, will really smooth out the ride up front without making it so cushy that it bottoms out. -Just MHO

[Gatorman76]

The Bridgestone's that came on my Tundra( H/T 689's) ride very smooth. I put some Firestone Indy 500's on my last truck(Ranger) and they were great. Smooth ride, stuck to the road like glue. They just don't look like they should be on a Tundra. More of a sport truck tire, but they sure did ride well!

[Ray Kane]

Anyone have any experience with cooper tires? The dealership accidentally installed them on my truck when I went to get the BFG long Trails. I made them put the BFG on.

[Azul]

Cooper tires have a huge quality problem that has been in the news lately. Something about inferior construction to keep down the mfg costs. Steer clear of them.

The bottom leaf, the thick one, is the one to remove. You will have to remove the bolt that goes through the spring assembly. The bolt may have to be shimmed on top of the spring as the threads might be to short to tighten full once the leaf is removed. It is a little bit of work but well worth the effort.

All Tundras seem to be lower in the front compared to the rear. Hope this all helps in your quest for Lexus ride with your Tundra.

Azul

[Ray Kane]

Originally Posted by Azul

Cooper tires have a huge quality problem that has been in the news lately.

All Tundras seem to be lower in the front compared to the rear. Hope this all helps in your quest for Lexus ride with your Tundra.

Azul

Thanks,
Is that why everyone debadges their Tundra so it doesn't ride like a truck? Maybe if I buy one of them Lexus badges I will get the ride I want!
I am not too happy with these BFG Long Trails. 3 out of 4 have developed indentations starting on the sidewall at the bead and running outward to the tread.

[kericks]

Please check your tire pressure.
Believe it or not, most car dealers, oil change outlets and tire centers get it wrong!
Check the door jamb for a label that has the proper inflation numbers on it. 29 psi front, 32 psi rear. I would bet a dollar that they are inflated to the "MAX" pressure listed on the tire, 35 psi.
K

[userw5]

Originally Posted by Ray Kane

What shocks and/or suspension will give me the smoothest ride with my 2003 Tundra AC? I very rarely tow and never go off road.

I have the Michelin LTX's on my Tundra and it is very smooth. I keep them inflated in the 32-35 range. A little higher when towing.

One thing that no one has mentioned here yet is changing out all of your fluids (oil, trans, diffs) with synthetic. If you haven't done that yet, you might want to try that. It will make a difference on how your truck shifts and rides.

Good Luck,
Jeff

[brucec039]

Tire selection can make a huge difference in noise and smoothness of ride. Check out tirerack for some reviews of tires in your size. I put some more road biased tires on my Ram last year, replacing the cheap 20" OEM ones, and saw big smoothness, handling, and braking improvements. It felt more flinty and less planted before that.

Also, tire wear can make them noisier.

I don't know how you'd get a smoother ride than with the stock shocks. I replaced mine on my tundra with the Bilstein 2wd shocks and it was firmer but not as smooth riding.