You guys crack me up. I"ve got a fleet of 1/2 ton and 3/4 pickups from Silverados to Superduties (no Dodges here). Pickup trucks are supposed to be pickup trucks, not SUVs or sedans. My Tundra rides rougher than our Sequoia, CRV and Tahoe. My Tundra rides smoother than our Ford Superduites and long bed 1/2 Ton Silverado W/Ts. Stock it rides on par with our Sierra 1500 Crew Cab that's been lowered for an old guy.
That being said I can really feel for you guys experiencing bed bounce.
We began a poll last year about who was buying the new Tundra. 30% never owned a truck before and 26% came from conventional domestic 1/2 ton pickups. I'm sure most of you have plenty of previous pickup truck experience but if you can even take up valuable bed space with extra weight then you probably have the luxury of choosing about any kind of vehicle you want.
I for one think the new Tundra could use some helper springs in the back to stiffen things up with a heavy load. My impression is the stock springs are too soft as it is. Initially Texas declared my Tundra a 3/4 ton for licensing purposes because it's weight capacity is greater than what their computer said a 1/2 should be. They've got that straightened out in the system now.
Declaring the Tundra the last Toyota you'll ever own seems a bit dramatic. Maybe it should be the last pickup you own, not the last Toyota? Those nice folks in Indiana, Alabama, California, Michigan and Texas do a good job making Toyotas as a rule. I'm not so certain about the folks in Monterrey, Mexico making Rams or Silao Guadaljara, Mexico making GMC Sierras. By the way, unlike the Tundra the Ram is categorized an import due to foreign parts content.
When I take the wife to town I like to drive an SUV or Tundra equally and there is no tendency to leave the mean Tundra back at the ranch.
A full 11% of those in the poll came to the Tundra from a domestic 3/4 ton or greater capacity pickups. Many of them understand unloaded bed bounce but I wonder how many of them think the bed bounce is an issue (I'm sure there must be at least one). Anybody? Bueller?
My old 3/4 ton will actually bounce so bad on a washboard road she'll turn completely around at speed when she's empty. If you load her up she'll ride like a Cadillac. I think my Tundra has a waaaaay better ride unloaded, although the bounce is different than anything I've ever felt, almost rythmic. My 2 cents.
Last edited by basetundra; 10-29-2008 at 05:11 PM.
Well said, jliltd. Bed bounce is unpleasant, but it's kind of a fact of life with a truck designed for hauling. It's the worst on concrete highways constructed with certain expansion joint intervals - at times even debilitating. But that's the way it is and you can't have it all.
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'08 5.7 TRD SR5 4X4 DC, Supercharged, Banks Monster single, Black Limited 20s, Line-X
What sorta price range should I expect custom springs to cost?
Thanks!
I paid $576 for the set. I just don't remember if that included the u-bolts and shipping and handling. It took 3 weeks before I recieved the order. That may have changed now.
Also tell them what the truck is doing, the type of road involved, the ride height you prefer. Tell him the whole story, what have you done to minimized the bounce and/or hop. The more info he's got, the better he can design it.
The soft springs I have, lowered the truck almost 2 inches from stock. That's an RCSB and I remember when I first got the truck, its rear end is higher than the DC's. The ride height is just right for me now.
Here's a thought. I've read somewhere that our bumpers are pretty weak. If someone was to fab up a custom bumper that looked stock but weighed 250 lbs wouldn't that minimize the bed bounce and weak bumper issue. This would also leave our beds empty. Of course installing that bumper would be a PITA. The bumper also must have the option to install the sonar sensors.
Here's a thought. I've read somewhere that our bumpers are pretty weak. If someone was to fab up a custom bumper that looked stock but weighed 250 lbs wouldn't that minimize the bed bounce and weak bumper issue. This would also leave our beds empty. Of course installing that bumper would be a PITA. The bumper also must have the option to install the sonar sensors.
Actually, there are people here running non-stock bumpers that are pretty beefy, such as the Fab Fours bumper. It weighs 117lbs, what does the stock bumper weigh? I wonder if it makes a difference to the guys who have em.
Also, would there be a way to mount some weight BEHIND the stock bumper? It's all hollow back there anyways, and that way you wouldn't loose your bed space. Of course, you'll have to remember that with whatever "extra weight" option you go with, you've now reduced your bed payload to around 1000 lbs.
I woould be more inclined to try something like this instead of the $700 Willybar. Need something though. My kids refuse to ride in my truck because it makes them sick. So now everwhere we go we have to take the van. That's cool too but sometimes I just want to take the family out int he truck but I don't want vomit everywhere.
OK, I called Supersprings on behalf of you guys...
As some of you know, I personally love the Supersprings product...I have them (SSA7) and they work as well, if not better than advertised. I do not have this new style mounting kit, but I also have no complaints with this so called "bed bounce, freeway hop, or jittery ride". It's just the nature of the truck, trailer, or anything else that is designed to carry a load.
I confirmed a few things with them about this new kit they have out...
Customers that have tested this product for them are reporting reduced "bed bounce, freeway hop, or jittery ride".
They did not do their own testing, they are simply reporting the feedback their customers are relaying to them.
This is still an "overload" type add on spring, so the rear will be a bit stiffer on the higher settings.
The cost of the complete kit (which includes the new mounting kit) is $529.00 (list cost)...online retailers will be selling it for less than that (I predict 10% to 20% off)
Part # is SSA4
If someone (like me) already has the supersprings, the new style kit can be purchased for $84.00 through supersprings only at this time.
Part # 111026 (PSP4)
The kit should take less than a hour to install if you are a weekend wrench spinner. Longer for the unskilled.
BTW, they recommend that you do not overload your truck...even though they know some will do it anyway, their product was designed to handle it.
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Thanks for calling for info mxsjw. Could you explain in a little more detail what that is exactly for people like me that don't know much about these types of products? That would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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2005 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition V8 - sold
2008 Tundra 5.7 DC XSP w/20" JTI wheels
My old 3/4 ton will actually bounce so bad on a washboard road she'll turn completely around at speed when she's empty. If you load her up she'll ride like a Cadillac. I think my Tundra has a waaaaay better ride unloaded, although the bounce is different than anything I've ever felt, almost rythmic. My 2 cents.
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Originally Posted by DJM86
So who is going to be the first to try these and test them out? These SoCal freeways are a bit@h.
i am in vegas and drive to cali often and i agree, this isn't right. this is my 3rd large truck, all 4x4 with the last 2 being superduty's. granted, there are some roads where i had this same problem on the other trucks but this is way too much.
it almost feels like the frame from the cab back is flimsy and the whole thing flexes like a diving board. i also agree that once it gets started, it is very rhythmic. while i haven't made anyone sick, it is rather embarassing when my passengers look at me this shock and a "what the hell is wrong with your truck!!!"
i too have also noticed that with any significant load (either the harley at 550 or the dirt bike at 300) it goes away completely.
i talked to a guy down the street that owns a spring shop and he's not really sure what to think. while he agrees that it is either sprung too stiff or over shocked, he also thinks that the un-boxed frame is a significant factor.
the rhythmic aspect of it makes him lean toward the spring side he has suggested a softer spring and stiffer shock. since i won't be putting anything near the load capacity in the truck anymore (need it more for the room), i might give this a try.
he is an offroad racer and he also suggested maybe just going to a custom valved shock (king shock) that is set up specifically to this problem (dampens short, quick movments harder and sooner, then softer on longer sweeping strokes). this seems like a viable option too, althought i don't know how much cheaper than the first suggestion.
Re: Possible Tundra Bed Bounce CURE FOUND
when she's empty. If you load her up she'll ride like a Cadillac. I think my Tundra has a waaaaay better ride unloaded, although the bounce is different than anything I've ever felt, almost rythmic. My 2 cents.
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