01-08-2018, 10:57 AM
|
#1
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Palos Verdes, CA
Posts: 1,973
Real Name: Leon
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Palos Verdes, CA
Posts: 1,973
Real Name: Leon
|
Rate your truck's highway manners
Wondering how 3rd Gen's are supposed to behave at highway speeds.
Mine's about a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. (1 = 1963 Valiant with a flat spot on a tire, 10 = plush Caddy where you don't feel the road and can drive with one pinky on the wheel).
I'm just asking because I have no reference frame and don't know if the vibrations I'm getting between 65 and 75 are normal, and if the truck is supposed to require constant course corrections and both hands on the wheel.
Don't want to throw a lot of money at this only to find that everyone's truck does that.
How does yours rate?
__________________
1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper | Spiker Engineering High-Lift Hood Struts and Ultragauge Mount
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 11:04 AM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Bishop, Ca
Posts: 2,332
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Bishop, Ca
Posts: 2,332
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Runner4Leon
How does yours rate?
|
7ish. Keep in mind I have both sway bars removed and have a ton of armor.. Straight line at 75MPH it tracks perfectly straight and there are almost no vibrations. I drive one handed all the time. As soon as I have to enter I tight turn both hands go on the wheel.
There not Caddies but they can ride pretty damn well, even with all the aftermarket stuff we add to them.
__________________
Quote:
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. --Albert Einstein
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 11:08 AM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 1,165
Real Name: Robert');DROP TABLE Students;
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 1,165
Real Name: Robert');DROP TABLE Students;
|
Mine's about an 8. It rides and drives well but has a very mild, but annoying, vibration that I can't solve. it's loud as shit too. I can let go of the wheel at 80mph without worrying about it going all kamikaze though.
__________________
2001 SR5 - Like OEM, only worse (gears, e-locker, armor)
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 11:11 AM
|
#4
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Macon, Georgia
Age: 23
Posts: 58
Real Name: Thomas Anthony
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Macon, Georgia
Age: 23
Posts: 58
Real Name: Thomas Anthony
|
Smooth
I only get vibrations when braking, my 2001 Limited with a 3 inch Rough Country lift is smooth up to 108, handles bumps well, I can fly down a dirt road, very sturdy. Solid 9. You can get an alignment for around $90, then get your wheels balanced, and maybe get new tie rods or possibly a whole new steering rack.
Last edited by tanth1500; 01-08-2018 at 11:15 AM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 11:21 AM
|
#5
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Winchester, California
Posts: 482
|
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Winchester, California
Posts: 482
|
I do not notice anything to weird with my recently long traveled 1996 I had it a year or so stock. no sway bars and I know its not a street queen or race car, but does not seem to have any weird on road regular driving quirks. doesn't seem any worse or better than my 2007 Silverado classic or 2000 explorer really. but none of them are really great so id say 7 or so.
Last edited by Dezerts10; 01-08-2018 at 11:22 AM.
Reason: added a comment
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 11:25 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Eastern Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,120
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Eastern Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,120
|
Mine is fine for 60-70mph but really I don't go on the highway cause it tends to attract dangerous idiots and it's more enjoyable to take it easy on the back roads. That's what 4runners are for!
The kids keep asking me how fast it will go!
__________________
1997 4Runner SR5 4X4 5MT elocker.
2005 Echo Hatchback 5MT.
1990 Volvo 740 Turbo sedan.
1991 Volvo 740 wagon.
2000 Mercedes E55 sedan.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 12:03 PM
|
#7
|
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2011
Location: OBX, NC and Obamaville
Posts: 6,801
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: OBX, NC and Obamaville
Posts: 6,801
|
8. The 906s can make for a jolting ride sometimes. But I will say that all Japanese cars I have ever driven are much smoother on the highway than their American counterparts, but not as aggressive as a BMW or Mercedes. I loved driving my Acura Vigor and Legend, miss them dearly on the highway.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 12:15 PM
|
#8
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 71
Real Name: Steve
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 71
Real Name: Steve
|
5.
I get pretty nasty vibrations above 70mph but it's quite possible that I need an alignment. My rear tires are within 10k miles of needing to be replaced, and I have an original suspension with 210,000 miles on it. I'm sure it'll massively improve when I get the tires/suspension replaced.
On a similar note, those who have replaced tires and suspension: what did it do for you in terms of how your 4Runners drive? I don't know how "bad" mine is simply because I don't know what a "perfect" 4Runner drives like. I have no point of reference.
__________________
2000 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4, 217k
2004 Lexus LX470, 139k
#MAGA
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 12:39 PM
|
#9
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: So Cal
Posts: 161
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: So Cal
Posts: 161
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by theesotericone
Straight line at 75MPH it tracks perfectly straight and there are almost no vibrations.
|
3
HOW?
__________________
Insta: @Ruso_Denis
Build: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...ld-thread.html
1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD, Rear Diff Lock, 3" Toytec Lift, Diff Drop, CBI Hybrid Front Armor, ARB Air Compressor, HID Spotlights, 32" Tires
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 12:51 PM
|
#10
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: PNW WA
Posts: 508
Real Name: Christian
|
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: PNW WA
Posts: 508
Real Name: Christian
|
Before I fixed the steering column slip joint it was a 1, absolutely terrible to drive even around town.
After fixing that and getting an alignment it drives great, easily an 8.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 12:53 PM
|
#11
|
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 5,154
Real Name: C8H18 Mike
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 5,154
Real Name: C8H18 Mike
|
Mine is about an 8 for what it is.
I have tundra billies on the third notch with OEM 4WD springs But I prefer my suspension a bit stiffer.
The truck rides smooth as silk on flat highway and it's easy to go too fast cause it's so smooth. New suspension bushings helped the ride quality a lot.
__________________
.
1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Sport 4WD, V6 5-Speed e-Locker-> 4WD 4runner Journal Thread
1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Un-Sported 2WD, V6 Auto -> 2WD 4runner Journal Thread
1959 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton Pickup EVERYTHING done 'cept paint and body
.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 12:56 PM
|
#12
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 194
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 194
|
8 for me. No vibration at any speed.
I have 906's in the rear which are stiffer but I would rather it this way.
I used to get a vibration prior to LBJ replacement. Then I had a bad u joint. Once these were addressed it was smooth sailing.
That's what I love about my runner. I drop the kids off at school after 10 - 15 miles of smooth highway driving, 20 minutes later I'm in the woods rolling over muddy rutted out trails littered with wheel sized rocks. It handles both very well.
__________________
2010 SR5, Dobinsons 300 & 505 springs, Bilstein 5100 front/rear, LED interior, Metaltech sliders, LFD crossbars, '10-'13 Trail Wheels, Toyo AT3 255/80/17
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 12:58 PM
|
#13
|
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Citrus Heights, California
Age: 36
Posts: 7,336
Real Name: Jerod
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Citrus Heights, California
Age: 36
Posts: 7,336
Real Name: Jerod
|
Compared to a sedan on the highway, a 7. Steering is dead on but you tend to feel all the bumps in the road with my current suspension (stiffer than stock).
It took a lot of work and basically a brand new steering and suspension to get it there though.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 01:19 PM
|
#14
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Orleans Ontario Canada
Posts: 902
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Orleans Ontario Canada
Posts: 902
|
When I bought mine, it had 10 year old 285/75/16 retreads with dynamic balancing beads on it. The front and rear sway bars where also removed, and a 3" lift.
The thing was an absolute nightmare on the highway. I definitely could not drive one handed at 65-75mph without the steering wheel moving my hand from side to side.
I've since replaced UBJ/LBJs, OTRE/ITREs, Front CV Axles, and reinstalled de front sway bar (didn't do the rear yet as I need to drill out the old mounting bolts that snapped). I also downsized my tires to newer 265/75/16's and had them balanced. The one thing I haven't done yet was get a new alignment.
Those replacements improved HWY handling tenfold. Going from a 2 to about a 4 or 5.
Now my vibrations are pretty much all gone, but we're still a bit away from anything resembling proper HWY behavior.
I have 2 leaking shocks (passenger side). It also suffers from the driver's side lean. I have no armor and don't carry a mounted spare tire (not even in stock location) and my 4runner usually is just hauling me in it. No cargo or other passengers. The ride quality is fairly rough, to say the least, but still pretty manageable in a straight line. Offramps scare the living daylights out of me though. If it happens to be rough pavement or full of potholes, forget it! I will stain my underwear. The truck bounces all over the place as becomes very hard to control. I have to make sure to REALLY slow down before taking offramps. Truck behaves extremely squirrelly and uneven on rough surfaces.
I currently blame bad/worn shocks, control arm bushings, an unlevelled panhard bar and the lack of a rear sway bar. I also have a u-joint that needs attention, so I know this will worsen as I neglect it. Oh, and if it's windy out, forget it. 2 hands on the wheel with constant steering input/correction.
Compared to pretty much any other vehicle I've driven, I would rate it a 5 out of 10.
My old slammed Sunfire GT had a rough ride as well, but it behaved predictably compared to my 4Runner.
__________________
1997 4Runner Limited V6 Auto 4x4 w/E-Locker - 184K Miles
OME 881/890 Springs, Tokico TrekMaster GU3535/GE3536 Shocks, 1" Front Diff. Drop, Front Frame Mounted D-Rings
All-Pro 1.25" Hubcentric Wheel Spacers, 265/75R16 ETS Trail Master M/T, B&M 70268 Cooler (bypassed)
2010 Matrix XRS 2.4L 5-Speed - 130K Miles
Last edited by SpidermanGeek; 01-08-2018 at 01:22 PM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
01-08-2018, 01:30 PM
|
#15
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 558
Real Name: Jesse
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 558
Real Name: Jesse
|
5
Gotta remember our 4Runners were designed around a federal speed limit of 55 MPH. Out here in the west the hills are big and the newer vehicles dominate the highways. I just poke along.
__________________
_____________________________________________
2016 Trail-P Dobinsons 302/325 DK Chromoly, 285 kO2, C4, RCI, BD Squad Sport, XD Phillips HID's, Tint, Husky liners, Crestone Rack
2020 Gx460
2000 Limited 4X4 - OME 881/890- B&M 70264
Overland Bound #10926
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|