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

[Farrell48]

Trying everything here and cannot stand the busy and unsettled feeling of this suspension. Does anyone else dislike it? The shocks don't dampen well. I am fine with feeling the cracks, but it should not vibrate 3-5 times after every tiny crack in the road. Ive had 3 different rim/tire combos (SL 20, 34" C and 34" E Load) - We have adjusted PSI, no change, in face the E rated tires feel better than the C rated because the C rated oscillated too much and accentuated the problem.


Really really bummed here since we paid nearly 80K for this car.1900 miles. Before you ask, yes I have owned many 4x4 trucks, both stock and modified etc. This suspension feels over


i have been in to Toyota 2x, even swapped tires to stock and comparing a 25 with my 26. I guess the struts are different part numbers in those years - the 2025 drove better than mine. I have been in twice and while the service manager was awesome and he felt what I was talking about - his Service partnerh he escalated to said there is nothing I can do if the shock is not broken or leaking.

I feel your pain. I know exactly what your are talking about. It seems like every bump vibrates 3 to 5 times. This did not happen on the 2025 that I test drove before ordering my 2026 LCLC. When I picked up the 2026, I felt the shudder but also noticed that the tires were inflated to 48 PSI and had read that is an issue. I have the 20" stock rims and tires and deflated them to 33 psi but no change. I will be taking it into the dealer in the next few weeks and will escalate if they can't do anything. It is not normal and people who haven't experienced it simply don't understand.

I have read all the comments about body on frame and what do you expect but this is different. I have owned 6 body on frame vehicles including 3 toyota trucks, a 4runner and 2 wranglers and I can tell you that this is much worse than just normal body on frame rough ride.

 

[RideWithYanu]

I feel your pain. I know exactly what your are talking about. It seems like every bump vibrates 3 to 5 times. This did not happen on the 2025 that I test drove before ordering my 2026 LCLC. When I picked up the 2026, I felt the shudder but also noticed that the tires were inflated to 48 PSI and had read that is an issue. I have the 20" stock rims and tires and deflated them to 33 psi but no change. I will be taking it into the dealer in the next few weeks and will escalate if they can't do anything. It is not normal and people who haven't experienced it simply don't understand.

I have read all the comments about body on frame and what do you expect but this is different. I have owned 6 body on frame vehicles including 3 toyota trucks, a 4runner and 2 wranglers and I can tell you that this is much worse than just normal body on frame rough ride.

Curious - why did you accept the vehicle when it arrived?

 

[roadventure]

This is a body on frame vehicle it’s not going to be a plush ride..

I hope you don't tell Ford that a body-on-frame truck won't provide a plush ride....

 

[MSINAL]

Rent a jeep wrangler with BFGs for a week. Once back in the landcruiser, you'll fall back in love with its suspension after the first bump.
I think the ride of my 25 LC on 18" Nittos is excellent on any surface condition. (disclaimer: my other offroad capable car is a lifted 2 door wrangler on 35s)

 

[WookieBait]

I feel your pain. I know exactly what your are talking about. It seems like every bump vibrates 3 to 5 times. This did not happen on the 2025 that I test drove before ordering my 2026 LCLC. When I picked up the 2026, I felt the shudder but also noticed that the tires were inflated to 48 PSI and had read that is an issue. I have the 20" stock rims and tires and deflated them to 33 psi but no change. I will be taking it into the dealer in the next few weeks and will escalate if they can't do anything. It is not normal and people who haven't experienced it simply don't understand.

I have read all the comments about body on frame and what do you expect but this is different. I have owned 6 body on frame vehicles including 3 toyota trucks, a 4runner and 2 wranglers and I can tell you that this is much worse than just normal body on frame rough ride.

That's unfortunate, I believe you but I don't have this issue thankfully. That or I am used to the suspension tuning with Toyota and not noticing it. Hope you figure this out.

 

[Farrell48]

Curious - why did you accept the vehicle when it arrived?

I thought it was an over pressure situation with the tires. I could see the pressure was 48psi on cluster and figured that when I got it home I could correct the issue. I should have made the dealer fix the pressure and gone for another ride but I thought I had it figured out.

 

[GR8Santini]

Couple recommendations to get a baseline with your dealer -
Load - Make sure you’re running a high quality tire in the 115-118 load range. I say that as some Toyota regions do port-install tire upgrades. Load is marked on the tire as the suffix to the tire size.
Pressure - 33-35 psi on stock 18” or 20” OE tires - cold before you drive.
Align - Have your dealer not check, but do a thrust angle 4 wheel alignment. If Toe or Camber is out of spec vehicles can feel unruly. Have you changed rims or changed offset?
Balance - Get a Road Force Balance on all 4 tires.
I’d recommend those steps w/ your dealer to get a baseline. If still issues afterwards call Toyota customer care.

Just traded for 2026 LC w/Premium. Traded in 2023 Sequoia Limited w/ Off Road, prior to that 2021 Sequoia TRD Pro, before that 2014 GX460.
Stock our new LC rode great & better than any of our prior BOF suvs. Now it has Westcott and it feels awesome with no brake dive or body roll & still compliant on roads. Sorry y'all are having issues.

 

[benawin]

I'm in agreement on the jittery aspect of the ride. Just picked up a 26 on 18's and coming from a 19 4Runner and before that a 14 4Runner so familiar with a body on frame ride. Will try to rent a LC from the Toyo dealer to compare at my next service visit. I'm not concerned with the car overall more that their may be something wrong. It had 15 miles when I picked it up Friday and up to about 350 after driving back from the dealer across the state.

 

[faylix]

26 1958 18" 265/70/18 SL rated tires.

Did some spirited driving over bumps recently. With proper application of throttle the body roll is manageable and the damn thing turns corners.

No problems.

I have considered finding a strut tower brace for road driving to tighten up the front - but I have zero problems with the rear or unsettled feeling.

 

[Bad1975]

I have considered finding a strut tower brace for road driving to tighten up the front - but I have zero problems with the rear or unsettled feeling.

A strut tower brace will have no measurable effect on a body on frame vehicle (strut top mounts are part of the frame) if this were a unibody construction then that would be a different story but still next to pointless unless competition racing. On a Offroad vehicle the tire sidewall will negate any effect that you may see from a tower brace.

 

[jtr3737]

Very Strange. Sorry your 2026 feels unsettled. I test drove a 2026 before ordering one a couple of weeks ago and was really impressed with how it handled. Much better than my 2004 LC100.

 

[faylix]

A strut tower brace will have no measurable effect on a body on frame vehicle (strut top mounts are part of the frame) if this were a unibody construction then that would be a different story but still next to pointless unless competition racing. On a Offroad vehicle the tire sidewall will negate any effect that you may see from a tower brace.

Interesting.

Like I said earlier, this is my first truck. I was expecting a lot worse and it seems to handle fine.

 

[blkcctsent]

@Farrell48 Let me know what the dealer says. Do you have stock wheels?

This is def not normal. Ive owned multiple body on frame trucks (including hot rods, shitty lifted fords and chevys, jeeps), i love a truck feeling
The response that "this is just the way they drive" isn't ok, because clearly most of yours dont have this feeling. Ill take it to get aligned and balanced again (Even though this is the 3rd set of wheels). I need to get a video of the rear seats, its crazy how much they shake. (anyone else?)

Checking my list here - Any other things to check? I may go to an independent driveline/suspension shop to support my case. Either the rear axle is not being controlled properly and trasmitting vibrations, or there is some sort of rotational impbalace or improper rebound settings. Feels mostly like a Mid-line Driveline harmonic...

• Measure Rear driveshaft runout / imbalance
• Inspect center support carrier bearing alignment and preload- Look for loose bearing or misalignment
• Verify shaft balance weights - again.
• Measure rear pinion angle - confirm proper angle no harmonic feed
• Test rear shock rebound performance under load observe oscillation chatter and time to settle
• Video vibration of the seats

 

[overtrail887]

Does anyone have a shock dyno of the stock shocks? Almost certainly it doesn’t have enough low speed rebound 0-1 in per second.

 

[GR8Santini]

The LC front coil spring pn# do appear different from 2025 to 2026. Toyota says they refined the ride - whatever that means. So we all know Toyota uses a variable rate spring, and with the LC250/Prada being a worldwide platform North American market gets a tuned for the US spec suspension. My theory is the Westcott preload compresses the soft upper part of the variable rate of the spring and gets it to its firmer sweet spot. Really changes the dynamics of the LC firming up the ride, but not in anyway harsh, & totally different than the Tacomas or 4Runners ride. Mine ended up being a 2.1” front & 7/8” rear height improvement.

 

[ultane]

I feel your pain. I know exactly what your are talking about. It seems like every bump vibrates 3 to 5 times. This did not happen on the 2025 that I test drove before ordering my 2026 LCLC. When I picked up the 2026, I felt the shudder but also noticed that the tires were inflated to 48 PSI and had read that is an issue. I have the 20" stock rims and tires and deflated them to 33 psi but no change. I will be taking it into the dealer in the next few weeks and will escalate if they can't do anything. It is not normal and people who haven't experienced it simply don't understand.

I have read all the comments about body on frame and what do you expect but this is different. I have owned 6 body on frame vehicles including 3 toyota trucks, a 4runner and 2 wranglers and I can tell you that this is much worse than just normal body on frame rough ride.

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[ultane]

I'm in agreement on the jittery aspect of the ride. Just picked up a 26 on 18's and coming from a 19 4Runner and before that a 14 4Runner so familiar with a body on frame ride. Will try to rent a LC from the Toyo dealer to compare at my next service visit. I'm not concerned with the car overall more that their may be something wrong. It had 15 miles when I picked it up Friday and up to about 350 after driving back from the dealer across the state.

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[ultane]

Very Strange. Sorry your 2026 feels unsettled. I test drove a 2026 before ordering one a couple of weeks ago and was really impressed with how it handled. Much better than my 2004 LC100.

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[ultane]

Does anyone have a shock dyno of the stock shocks? Almost certainly it doesn’t have enough low speed rebound 0-1 in per second.

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[ultane]

@Farrell48 Let me know what the dealer says. Do you have stock wheels?

This is def not normal. Ive owned multiple body on frame trucks (including hot rods, shitty lifted fords and chevys, jeeps), i love a truck feeling
The response that "this is just the way they drive" isn't ok, because clearly most of yours dont have this feeling. Ill take it to get aligned and balanced again (Even though this is the 3rd set of wheels). I need to get a video of the rear seats, its crazy how much they shake. (anyone else?)

Checking my list here - Any other things to check? I may go to an independent driveline/suspension shop to support my case. Either the rear axle is not being controlled properly and trasmitting vibrations, or there is some sort of rotational impbalace or improper rebound settings. Feels mostly like a Mid-line Driveline harmonic...

• Measure Rear driveshaft runout / imbalance
• Inspect center support carrier bearing alignment and preload- Look for loose bearing or misalignment
• Verify shaft balance weights - again.
• Measure rear pinion angle - confirm proper angle no harmonic feed
• Test rear shock rebound performance under load observe oscillation chatter and time to settle
• Video vibration of the seats

I really hope that you can get this resolved to your satisfaction. Please keep us posted.