bumpy/bouncy ride

nathanrazo · 10-02-2008, 09:27 AM

i just bought an 2008.5 crew cab se. it is my first truck. to me, it is a very bouncy/bumpy ride. talking with some guys that own trucks, i guess this is "normal". i mean i understand that the ride is not going to be anything like a car, and the freeways here in socal are terrible as well.

i was going to take it to the dealer just to make sure the tires are all balanced and everything is good in that regards.

i also thought i read somewhere here that someone changed out the rear shocks to bilsteins and that really smoothed things out. anyways, any input or thoughts would be much appreciated.

HudsonValleyTitan · 10-02-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanrazo

i just bought an 2008.5 crew cab se. it is my first truck. to me, it is a very bouncy/bumpy ride. talking with some guys that own trucks, i guess this is "normal". i mean i understand that the ride is not going to be anything like a car, and the freeways here in socal are terrible as well.

i was going to take it to the dealer just to make sure the tires are all balanced and everything is good in that regards.

i also thought i read somewhere here that someone changed out the rear shocks to bilsteins and that really smoothed things out. anyways, any input or thoughts would be much appreciated.

I have the PRO-4X with the harder off-road shocks and think the ride is one of the best as far as trucks go. I'm not sure what you're comparing it to though. Did you drive it and/or others before you bought it? It can't hurt to have the dealer check it out but it's probably fine. Remember, you have a solid rear axle and leaf springs...not exactly made to deliver a Lexus-like ride. Maybe you're having some sort of vibration issue rather than just a bumpy ride? There have been people here complaining about that and a tire balance or some other remedy cured the problem. Have it checked because, in general, the Titan....especially the LWB model, has a very nice ride for a truck IMO.

ten~39 · 10-02-2008, 03:52 PM

I've owned a number of trucks, and driven a number of trucks for company purposes, over the years, and in my opinion the Titan has the smoothest ride I've ever had out of a 4WD truck.

You're probably just not used to the overall ride of a truck yet.

Fox Delta · 10-02-2008, 03:58 PM

more than likely the So-Cal roads (well Interstate)- I've been down smoother dirt roads! My truck has never bounced so badly on a paved street LOL....

nathanrazo · 10-02-2008, 05:52 PM

i went to the dealer and drove another titan. pretty much the same. i have the crew cab and not the long bed, so thats the shorter wheel base right? and I do not have the 4x4 either. i guess the truck with the shorter bed would bounce around more? in any case i think its just a case of me getting used to how the truck drives and rides. i don't feel any shaking or vibration so i don't think its the tires. but i do think i will change out the shocks in the back, i guess that might smooth things out?

HudsonValleyTitan · 10-02-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanrazo

i went to the dealer and drove another titan. pretty much the same. i have the crew cab and not the long bed, so thats the shorter wheel base right? and I do not have the 4x4 either. i guess the truck with the shorter bed would bounce around more? in any case i think its just a case of me getting used to how the truck drives and rides. i don't feel any shaking or vibration so i don't think its the tires. but i do think i will change out the shocks in the back, i guess that might smooth things out?

Changing shocks can't change the nature of a solid axle with leaf springs, but it can help with rebound if its' bounce you're feeling due to bad roads in your area. Swapping out the rears should be fairly cheap and easy. Let us know if that does it.

amati5 · 10-03-2008, 10:28 AM

I am not sure if any one mentioned to check the tire pressure. Should be 35-36 psi cold.

**loufish** · 10-04-2008, 01:09 AM

Well the 08' have more payload capacity then say my 04' so I'm sure they "beefed" up the rear springs a little.
Being new to trucks, you have no other experience to measure against, so it might be normal for a truck.

We have plenty of choppy freeway sections here to beat you up a little while driving, and my rear DR nor my SAW rear shocks could save me from that...It's a truck, but when you get on a good section and it's still too rough, then I'd start thinking new shocks...

miketan · 10-04-2008, 01:37 AM

If you think an '08 rides rough, you should try a '05 Titan. When I had an '08 for the day while my brakes were being worked on at the dealer, I couldn't believe how "plush" the '08 rode compared to mine. It felt like a Caddy compared to my truck.

The roads here in So. Cal are pretty bad. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to puke up a kidney driving over some of these roads. Serious. The freeways are just as bad, if not worse with their slab tilt construction. If you want a slightly smoother/softer ride, try lowering the tire pressure. When I had my tires at 29-30psi, the ride was significantly smoother and less harsh over rough roads. However, since increasing mpg is my primary goal at the moment, I have the front pumped up to 38.5 psi and the rear pumped up to 34.5. Let me tell you, that 4-8 psi difference makes the ride quality a lot worse. Try lowering them down to 30 psi and see how it rides. On an '08, it should ride like a mid '70's Eldorado.

08TitanXE · 10-04-2008, 06:43 AM

My 08 has a very smooth ride except on some parts of the road, especially I15 by San Diego pretty bumpy but after a short stretch it's fine.