I just took delivery of my GX 550 overtrail + last week. I love the truck but it is a bit rougher than the LUX+ was and to me drives like the newer jeep wranglers I have rented. Now to give you some back ground on my vehicles and suspension experience: I have a 996 911 TT with a track suspension setup so I know rough/stiff suspension. Previously, I had an 06’ LR3(air suspension) and drove it for 200K then a 2022 4Runner TRD Pro(Wescott suspension lift). Got rid of the 4 Runner because it didnt have enough cargo space for my kiting and foiling gear and that 5 speed transmission sucked. In my opinion and my wife's the Wescott suspension lift smoothed out the 4Runner. Next vehicle I decided to go big, GMC At4 Yukon XL(Air suspension). That Truck shut off twice on me before the engine blew up at 2,500 miles. The Engine was replaced then the truck shutoff on me again first time I drove it. GMC is buying it back. And now the GX550……..
Before I pulled the trigger on the Overtrail+, I test drove a Luxury+ which seemed very smooth. In my opinion my OT+ drives worse than the LUX+ but not as bad as some have said. I have noticed that when the rear wheels hit small bumps it make the whole vehicle shudder(normal or comfort). When I select sportS or SportS+ it would seem to stop the vehicle rattle on the bumps but you still feel the bump more than you think you would(kind of like my 911). My wife got in the GX550 pax seat the first time and said she felt a vibration, but I was not feeling any vibration. I started paying more attention and have noticed some vibration on back roads imperfectly paved however, drive a main road that is smoother or the highway and its driving completely different, smooth with no vibration, but I still feel some small bumps more than I would have in my 4Runner. Body roll while in normal or comfort is significant. Switch to either sport mode and i'm taking a fairly tight off ramp at 70mph with little body role and smooth ride. I actually couldnt believe how fast I was able to take that off ramp. Interestingly, driving in our rock based imperfect community parking lot and its buttery smooth with no vibration. Additionally, if you drive fast over large rounded speed bumps the suspension soaks it up and its buttery smooth again. I can only think this has to do with the AVS and the dampening not actuating when it should. We are about to take a fully loaded truck and roof top carrier road trip and I’m curious how the GX550 OT+ will ride but I bet its going to be smooth. I’ll update after our trip.
Before I pulled the trigger on the Overtrail+, I test drove a Luxury+ which seemed very smooth. In my opinion my OT+ drives worse than the LUX+ but not as bad as some have said. I have noticed that when the rear wheels hit small bumps it make the whole vehicle shudder(normal or comfort). When I select sportS or SportS+ it would seem to stop the vehicle rattle on the bumps but you still feel the bump more than you think you would(kind of like my 911). My wife got in the GX550 pax seat the first time and said she felt a vibration, but I was not feeling any vibration. I started paying more attention and have noticed some vibration on back roads imperfectly paved however, drive a main road that is smoother or the highway and its driving completely different, smooth with no vibration, but I still feel some small bumps more than I would have in my 4Runner. Body roll while in normal or comfort is significant. Switch to either sport mode and i'm taking a fairly tight off ramp at 70mph with little body role and smooth ride. I actually couldnt believe how fast I was able to take that off ramp. Interestingly, driving in our rock based imperfect community parking lot and its buttery smooth with no vibration. Additionally, if you drive fast over large rounded speed bumps the suspension soaks it up and its buttery smooth again. I can only think this has to do with the AVS and the dampening not actuating when it should. We are about to take a fully loaded truck and roof top carrier road trip and I’m curious how the GX550 OT+ will ride but I bet its going to be smooth. I’ll update after our trip.
