Improve Ride?

Just bought a used 2021 Limited with only 29k miles. Last rig was a 2012 Honda Pilot which was very smooth. Ride is very bumpy on many regular city roads. Would new shocks significantly help soften/smooth out the ride? If so which would shocks would give the best ride? Would you do both front and rear? Is it an relatively easy job to replace yourself or would you be best to take it to a shop. Is there anything else i should consider doing?

 

Probably buy another vehicle. Stock suspension on the 4runner I always thought was pretty soft but it's a cab on frame with a rear axle. It's going to be a rougher ride that a pilot with independent rear suspension.

 

I just got it and the ride off the lot was softer than what I'm experiencing now. I'm thinking of trading it in for a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Hylander, or another Honda Pilot. But the Pilots before 2024 aren't as nice as looking as the older Pilots were.

 

I had an 05 Pilot. They used to look like SUVs instead of minivans. And yeah that thing drove so smooth. Was awsome. Only because I wanted to do more offroading that I got a 4runner. And the new ones look like minivans..

 

2021 Limited (5th gen Limited) with stock XREAS suspension and stock Yokohama tires (standard load) is the most comfortable 4Runner trim.

Next in line for comfort is Non KDSS ORP and SR5.

So pretty much if you think a stock Limited is not smooth 4Runner is definitely not the vehicle for you.

To my taste no aftermarket suspension is comfy as XREAS on pavement. For Limited suspension are cross linked (front driver connected to rear passenger & front passenger is connected to rear driver). The cross link is just behind the front tires along frame cross member. You have to change all 4 shocks when you change.

 

It’s a truck, not warmed over cross over.

 

I agree with the group. You bought the wrong vehicle. Stock suspension is as soft as it's going to get. It's a solid rear axle truck.

 

check the tires' pressure to make sure it is not maxed out to the limit on the tires, but what the doorjam sticker says.

If that doesn't work, consider selling it and buy a highlander, venza, rav4, corolla cross, or one of the Lexus crossovers instead.

 

As others said, the stock shocks are as soft for street driving as they come.

Tires make the most difference on city roads (pavement cracks, manhole covers). Stock tires are P245/60R20. You can go to P265/70R17 size used by the SR5 trim to get more sidewall. Expensive change of course.

 

You can check the tires and make sure that you don't have a leaking XREAS system, but at the end of the day, you have a body-on-frame SUV. It is going to handle and ride like a truck. The Pilot that came from is a unibody crossover, basically a lifted AWD minivan. You can't compare the two as they are built for different purposes.

 

A truck vs. tall station wagon. Tires and alignment are always something to check with a new to you vehicle. After a quick mechanical check, I suggest just drive the thing. Preferably over or on something you wouldn't normally do. Give it a chance to shine in the light for which its intended. If it doesn't bring joy then trade it in. Life's too short to drive vehicles you don't like.