Maybe an aftermarket suspension with multi-adjustable shocks/struts could be built and tuned to your own use and preferences? Many will allow for 0" lift/stock ride height. Toyota offers adjustable suspensions on some 4Runner trims, so there's no reason a Land Cruiser cannot have the same capability.
HATING the 2026 LC Suspension - Very busy & unsettled - Anyone else feel this way on this year?
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My 2024 LC LC rides and handles quite well both on and (especially) off-road. I have never experienced anything other than a rapid (critically) damped oscillation, even on washboard at 40-45 mph. When I'm on the E-load tires at 39 psi, hitting a hard bump in the road is more noticeable than when I'm on the OEM 20" wheels. If anything, I'm surprised that the LC rides so well. Sorry to hear that your experience has been different. Have you had the chance to drive a different LC to see if you experience the same feel as your LC?
Love the ride in my ‘26. Firm, planted and in control. Swallows up bumps and potholes in the pavement. It doesn’t ride like my sedan but I didn’t expect it to and the sedan doesn’t have nearly as forgiving tires and suspension as the Toyota lol. I was actually thinking about it this morning and how pleased I am with it. I’m running LT275/70/18s E rated Nokian Hakkapalwti winters at around 36 psi cold. Coming from a 2015 F-150 platinum on KO2s.
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Yeah. I took it to toyota, they let me test drive a 2025, felt 4x better. Then he took the wheels put them on mine an it was busy. He even felt it. (Service manager) His wife has a 2026 that she rarely lets him drive and he said he went home to drive it and the 2026 was more busy and chattery than the 2025. That is when he looked into the 2026 having different front struts... that may be the culprit.
With 34" tires, did you add a lift? Spacers? What offset are the wheels? Just wondering if there are other variables at play here.
It feels like a body on frame truck with a live rear axle to me. Maybe a pretty refined version. We have a Mercedes GLC300 that is a lot better behaved, but the differences in engineering approach are obvious, as are the rationales.
What about looking around for someone who has upgraded their suspension and see if you can have their stock shocks for cheap/free. Maybe check offroad shops, or let them know if they do an upgrade to see if they can keep the stock socks for you.
edit: I mean parts from a '24 or '25 of course
edit: I mean parts from a '24 or '25 of course
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No lift, no spacers. I kept it stock for a bit because Im already having issues with Toyota even helping on the shock issue. Did not see any change in ride quality, felt more planted and better. I hate the floaty car feeling.
Our first set was Icon 17x8.5 +25 with 285/75/17 and had rub on reverse. I dont want to cut bumpers so switched to Icon Recon SLX 18x9 +40 285/70/18 We followed the Icon Fitment video, fits wonderfully.
I have a ‘24 Premium pack with 20” wheels. I can attest that the around-town ride is bad. For as much as we are paying ($70k+) I would have expected better but I guess inflation (?)! I come from a ‘12 Land Rover LR4 with air suspension and it’s far far far better. I still have it and prefer driving the LR4 (I don’t prefer the maintenance costs). I’ve driven Jeeps and thought the Land Cruiser comes second to that. On highway it is nice though, but for city driving, I hate it but will live with it.
Do people not test drive these things before they buy them? I can't believe the number of folks here and on the FB LC250 page who complain about stuff that's so easy to experience during a test drive...
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As mentioned in the earlier posts, we test drove a 2025 and it definitely felt better. Our 2026 had to put your name on an incoming one sight unseen - they were not in stock yet to test drive. I dont think it is unreasonable to think a newer year would feel the same or better than the prior
You might have preferred the 300-series then, which is more focused on luxury and on-road comfort than the 250-series which is more focused on utility and off road capability. Everything is a series of trade-offs. I’m quite glad that the 250-series doesn’t have the more complicated systems like air suspension, as I’d prefer my truck to be reliable, even if it means it drives like a truck.
This is a body on frame vehicle it’s not going to be a plush ride, especially when one adds larger E rated tires - that will deteriorate the smoothness of the ride as well. I never expected this to drive like a RR. Apples and oranges. As I stated, I’m driving a 26 with 275/70/18 E rated tires and I don’t have any suspension issues. I do get a little shake at 80+mph but that is no doubt the tires and I should probably balance them again.
I've found most Toyotas I've owned to be like this. I come from the BMW world and have learned a lot about shock valving technology over the years. Toyota valves like KW. It's a different philosophy but not necessarily improper.
To me, Toyota and KW consistently apply too much high speed compression damping, which leads to a jittery, skipping on top of the road type feeling, and not one that's connected or settles into the pavement.
If it's in the budget, I'd consider an Old Man Emu or Dobinsons suspension setup. I've been superbly happy with both of those on every 4x4 Toyota I've ever installed them on. Much more natural feeling, higher spring rate, but more forgiving damping that just has a lot less drama than the OEM setup
To me, Toyota and KW consistently apply too much high speed compression damping, which leads to a jittery, skipping on top of the road type feeling, and not one that's connected or settles into the pavement.
If it's in the budget, I'd consider an Old Man Emu or Dobinsons suspension setup. I've been superbly happy with both of those on every 4x4 Toyota I've ever installed them on. Much more natural feeling, higher spring rate, but more forgiving damping that just has a lot less drama than the OEM setup
You can have my front takeoffs, just pay the shipping. 10k on them so just barely broken in. Truthfully this would probably be a DIY task otherwise I doubt it would make sense.
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Hmmm I might be interested in taking you up on that, any idea the shipping cost for those?
Box dimensions are 30L/12W/12H. ~65lbs
A quick UPS check to Phoenix metro gave me a quote of $159. But maybe you could find a better quote.
I think the ride is smooth from the driver seat, but my children and wife have complained about the ride in the back seats. I can confirm their issues and concerns, very floaty and sways on turns. Makes my daughter car sick on very windy roads. Definitely not the planted refined ride of the old 100s/200s.
Do they know the new part numbers and the old part numbers? Maybe a QC mishap at the factory.
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Blue Sky let me get back to you on this. I may push toyota a bit more. I don't know for sure this is the issue, but could be.
Trail 250 - If only they would QC my LC...
2026 Part- 48510-80D43
2025 Part - 48510-80C54
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