If you could do it all over...

That's a surprise. Unless you're just referring to the overall softness. I drove mine for over a year on the stock suspension, and didn't mind it.

It rode like a dream compared to my Tacoma.

 

^Compared to my 3rd gen Tacoma OR (back when it was on stock suspension), the 4Runner SR5 handles like a boat. There's disproportionate body roll following small steering inputs, almost feels like the Tacoma with sway bar removed. There's excessive pitch oscillation, too, but that's expected from the 4R's shorter wheelbase. Going over manhole cover depressions or any step in pavement (like shaved asphalt in construction areas), the 4R is more jarring - that may be caused by the 4-link rear suspension being stiffer longitudinally.

The 4Runner rides and handles better than my 2nd gen Tacoma OR from 2010. Seems the additional development and tuning Toyota did for the 3rd gen in 2016 improved it significantly, even though the suspension layout hasn't changed.

 

I think the stock shocks are just a little too soft. Any decent aftermarket suspension would probably be a big improvement. I had a 3rd gen Taco rental for a few weeks recently while the 4Runner was at a body shop, and I didn't think it handled as well as my 4Runner, even though it's lifted. Having KDSS is definitely a factor regarding body roll.

 

My 5th gen rides great on stock shocks and E load tires. Actually it’s a much more comfortable ride than my Sequoia on P series tires.

I suspect a lot of the E load complaints are on stiffer aftermarket shocks and springs.

 

I bought my '18 SR5P in 2020 as a lease turn-in and paid $28K for it. 4 years and 45,000 later (now at 75K), if I could go back and do it over, I would wait for a plain SR5 with cloth seats and no sunroof. I've done lots of mods to mine, including lift, UCA's and multiple wheel and tire sets. None of those things have really made it that much better. Stock wheels with some really good 3-peak tires and aftermarket seat heaters (the Queen demands a warm tush) is fine for me. I keep thinking about a replacement vehicle in a year or two (new Tacoma, Tundra, Ranger etc.) but the 4R ticks all the boxes other than hauling big stuff, and that's what trailers are for.

 

Yep. This is why I don't need a P/U.

 

My stock ‘23 TRD ORP with factory off-road upgrade package (the black wheels, Nitto Terra Grapplers, side rails, etc) is just great. My only complaint is the low ceiling height. Two more inches of headroom and I’d keep it forever. But to do all over again, I’d have gotten a Land Cruiser to start for just the extra headroom/interior space. That said, everything else about this 4Runner is great to me. I may still keep it, but I’m looking for the right 200 or 80 series LC in the mean time.

 

Avoided the running boards, I thought the wife would like them….but not… go figure…took them off after a week.

 

At 6'2" I never needed the running boards. All they did for me was get my pant legs dirty.