HATING the 2026 LC Suspension - Very busy & unsettled - Anyone else feel this way on this year?

[Colin_MKV]

My 2024 had the 18s and I loved the ride. My 2025 has the 20s and it is a little stiffer but less roll on the winding roads. I bought my LC for the ride quality. It rides far better than most solid rear axel body on frame SUVs. And everyone who’s ever been in it compliments it as well. Edit* ran 35lbs on the 2024 for 8,000 miles when traded. Running 37-38lbs on the 2025 currently at 10,000 miles

 

[b407driver]

I’m really curious to discover why Toyota would change the shocks after two years. Of all things that could have been changed, they seemed to have broken something that did not need fixing, apparently making the ride feel more like the new 4Runner (anecdotally speaking, of course).

I’m very happy with my 2024’s relatively ‘soft’ ride, compared to the 6112/5160 setup on my previous 4Runner. Getting old, I guess.

 

[Altitude]

I’m going to guess that 90% of the dissatisfaction in the Land Cruiser ride quality comes from two camps:

1 - people who have driven car-based SUVs up to now, thought the Land Cruiser was cool, and bought one without really knowing what it is.

2 - People who have modified their suspension and are trying to understand why it doesn’t feel like they thought it would.

Not sure which of those the OP is. But I do think that for a body on frame SUV, the Land Cruiser rides pretty nice. I’ve been in a lot of Jeeps and Broncos. These are better.

 

[PDPete]

View attachment 58019

A loaded GX550 can easily top $130K in the frozen north.

The one on the right is an LX (i.e. comparable to a Land Cruiser 300 series, not 250)

 

[blkcctsent]

I’m going to guess that 90% of the dissatisfaction in the Land Cruiser ride quality comes from two camps:

1 - people who have driven car-based SUVs up to now, thought the Land Cruiser was cool, and bought one without really knowing what it is.

2. People who have modified their suspension and are tryin got understand why it doesn’t feel like they thought it would.

Not sure which of those the OP is. But I do think that for a body on frame SUV, the Land Cruiser rides pretty nice. I’ve been in a lot of Jeeps and Broncos. These are better.

Unfortunately None of the above. Suspension is not modified either. I have owned everything from suspension lifts/spacers, air suspension, Body on frame trucks, old hot rod trucks and jeeps, built out lifted camper vans, luxury sports cars, Jeeps with 37"s floating all over the road etc. None of them felt this weird annoying vibration busyness. Does anyone else's back seats visibly shake in the rear view on paved roads with the sealed cracks in them? I am landing on something being wrong with my suspension, it just doesnt feel "right".

 

[basicxj]

The one on the right is an LX (i.e. comparable to a Land Cruiser 300 series, not 250)

I do know that. The one on the left is the base GX. Option that up and price goes into the stratosphere.

 

[Altitude]

Unfortunately None of the above. Suspension is not modified either. I have owned everything from suspension lifts/spacers, air suspension, Body on frame trucks, old hot rod trucks and jeeps, built out lifted camper vans, luxury sports cars, Jeeps with 37"s floating all over the road etc. None of them felt this weird annoying vibration busyness. Does anyone else's back seats visibly shake in the rear view on paved roads with the sealed cracks in them? I am landing on something being wrong with my suspension, it just doesnt feel "right".

Maybe you have some defective parts then, I guess.

 

[Buckfever]

I've got the FE which comes with 18s and with KO3's running them at 39psi, the ride quality/suspension is pretty amazing for a BOF SUV. I did have to sort it out though.

 

[Area 51]

Maybe this is a inet traffic generating on line scheme.
Kinda like the resident bot girl fake postings.
Or simply paid negative influencing, a sign of the lower grade times as the standards proceed downward.

 

[treadmark]

Have you driven another 26 to see whether it behaves the same as yours? You mention the part numbers having changed. Is that just for the front coilovers or the rear shocks as well…or all?

 

[blkcctsent]

I have not, they have given me two 2025's to drive. Wish I could find one to drive.

 

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

I’m really curious to discover why Toyota would change the shocks after two years. Of all things that could have been changed, they seemed to have broken something that did not need fixing, apparently making the ride feel more like the new 4Runner (anecdotally speaking, of course).

I’m very happy with my 2024’s relatively ‘soft’ ride, compared to the 6112/5160 setup on my previous 4Runner. Getting old, I guess.

Unfortunately that's pretty common throughout a generation lifecycle on many cars. One part will have several revisions, often not widely published, with subtle differences as carmakers switch suppliers, adjust for budgets, and adapt to market trends.

 

[Jack_]

The on-road manners of my 2024 are outstanding. I did not anticipate or require a smooth comfortable ride. I thought I'd have to compromise there so I am very impressed with how it performs. I have stock suspension, no lift and 265/70/18 Cooper Discoverer all terrain tires.

 

[wpage]

Hating, your suspension... Strong words for ride quality.

Take it back to the dealer. Have him work out a decent solution.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Hating, your suspension... Strong words for ride quality.

Take it back to the dealer. Have him work out a decent solution.

If you read the very first post (bare minimum) you will see your point already addressed.

 

[faylix]

2026 1958 + 275/70/18 tires.

I come from the sports car world, STi's , corvettes, and Audi's. This was my first time owning a non sports car let alone a truck with body on frame construction.

This Truck drives excellently for what it is and the rear actually pushes through corners when you do it right.

I find it interesting that it bumps over little bumps up to a point, then larger bumps seem to activate the suspension and they feel smooth. Can confirm over rough ground rear seat people feel it, but on highway they report it feels firm smooth and planted.

One day after I kill the 10 year warranty I'll probably upgrade to a remote res style baja suspension.

But for now I might just add that Motion Control Beam setup. That thing looks cool.

 

[robsurfskate]

View attachment 58019

A loaded GX550 can easily top $130K in the frozen north.

That front end is hideous. I'll take the LC all day over that. I paid 55K FOR MY 1958 edition and love it.

 

[b407driver]

Unfortunately that's pretty common throughout a generation lifecycle on many cars. One part will have several revisions, often not widely published, with subtle differences as carmakers switch suppliers, adjust for budgets, and adapt to market trends.

Of course I understand that, but it sounds like Toyota didn't make a subtle change, as the 4Runner arguably drives little like the LC250. Anecdotally speaking, the OP's situation makes it sound like the LC may now use the same shock as the 4Runner, or certainly one that performs similarly. The question is if Toyota made such a change to firm up the suspension intentionally, or if it was simply a result of streamlining supply channels, etc. Or something else? Either way, it could be that a 2024 drives little like a 2026 on road, or just that OP has a different butt-meter for such nuances of ride quality. If the former, I'd think people would want to know that a not-insignificant change was made to the LC's on-road manners. I certainly would not want a stiffer ride.

 

[Code54]

I owned a 2025 and just got a 2026 - I personally feel the 2026 is a bit smoother (same tires and rims on both).

 

[Sugarloafer80]

1. Either 20s or 18s DO NOT need to be inflated over 33psi anytime
2. Forget E loads and ride. Not gonna improve anything.
3. To be fair, LC does NOT do its best work at low speeds, but get it on my dirt washboarded road at 40+ and everything disappears. Borderline drifting speeds on my snow covered mountainside road. You can't hide its weight and what you are probably experiencing is the massive unsprung weight of the wheels and tires. Damn things are far heavier, both 18s and 20s than the 22 that were on my Range Rover in summer. (275/40R22.) The independent suspension of the RR is not matched at any level.