I drove a 16,500 mile pampered '99. Stock shocks and highway (non-aggressive tread pattern) tires. And yes, much of the "issue" with the ride on these IS the short wheelbase. It's also "oversprung/overshocked" for a (primarily freeway-driven) SUV. Ya' can't fix the wheelbase - ya' CAN set up the suspension to be more compliant for highway driving, which I would/will do. I've had really good luck w/variable rate springs on previous vehicles that I've owned; those, combined with some high-end "P" road tires and some good quality shocks will go a long way, IMHO. We're talking well under $2K total for virtually "the best of the best" of those three items...