Is there a way to improve 5th gens "feel" of the road? - Page 3 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

RunTheJoules · 06-18-2020, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandCruiser

You could drink less before driving?

Now it makes sense why he mentioned closing his eyes while driving..

Thebeastlives · 06-18-2020, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunTheJoules

Now it makes sense why he mentioned closing his eyes while driving..

Lmaoooo...bet that audi feels like a Lamborghini for 5 seconds when his eyes are closed

thennen · 06-18-2020, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob_dixon

H, I expected some answer like "there is no problem" but the issue isn't wandering. My 4runner drives straight as an arrow. I can even take my hands safety off the wheel momentarily and on a smooth highway it drives straight.

Its FEEL of the road - as in literally, you can feel the pull of the road on your steering wheel. If you want to see what feel "feels" like, go drive an Audi, BMW X3, Porsche or Volkswagon. Now that said, I would never expect to get to that level in a 4runner. Lol just seek improvement here. Here is the example, albeit dangerous to help explain feel. And even this might not help someone might be able to explain it better.....
At 60 MPH on an open road close your eyes. (although i dont recommend this). How long can you keep your eyes closed before you feel unsafe, or you don't know where you are in spacial perception? In a 4runner, since there is no road feel, its practically immediate. In contrast, in my Audi I could, in theory, close my eyes for 4-5 seconds and know where my car is in space on the lane for that duration. (only an insane person would go longer haha - its just an example folks!)
Not trying to get into a debate about this, you either know what i am talking about or dont. (Or have no experience yet with driving vehicles with perfect feel of the road) Any old racers in here? :-)

excellent. I will investigate this option on if impacts on what i am looking for. again, its not alignment or play in the wheel.

And suspension upgrades makes sense, i would love to test drive a nice test up. Thanks ALL!!

I would assume that this type of "road feel" you're referring to wasn't on the design list for the 4Runner, and never has been. I've had three different generations, and they all drove in a similar manner - a bit top-heavy, with some lean/roll in curves and corners. It's how the truck is built. My 2019 has the nicest ride of them all, btw.

If Toyota were to build in some of the crispness to which you're referring, they'd have to change the wheelbase, centers of gravity, suspension, etc. Sure, they could make a 4Runner that drives like an Audi, BMW, Porsche, or VW, but then it would look a lot like them, too, and would have the same off-road limitations. The compliant factory suspension, while not everyone's favorite, probably works against on-pavement "feel", to some extent. The advice from many others on here might lead you closer to your goal.

RunTheJoules · 06-18-2020, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thennen

I would assume that this type of "road feel" you're referring to wasn't on the design list for the 4Runner, and never has been. I've had three different generations, and they all drove in a similar manner - a bit top-heavy, with some lean/roll in curves and corners. It's how the truck is built. My 2019 has the nicest ride of them all, btw.

If Toyota were to build in some of the crispness to which you're referring, they'd have to change the wheelbase, centers of gravity, suspension, etc. Sure, they could make a 4Runner that drives like an Audi, BMW, Porsche, or VW, but then it would look a lot like them, too, and would have the same off-road limitations. The compliant factory suspension, while not everyone's favorite, probably works against on-pavement "feel", to some extent. The advice from many others on here might lead you closer to your goal.

^^ What he said.

To OP: Comparing a BMW X5 to a 4Runner is a literal apples to oranges comparison.

"Road feel" is what you get driving a unibody vehicle with independent front AND rear suspension, which is exactly what the Audi, BMW, etc. are. They're built for the street and maybe your average dry, dirt road. Take that Audi and the 4Runner out to the Rubicon or Moab and see which one feels better.

There's a reason people refer to their 4Runner as their "truck", because that's what it is and what it drives like. You can improve the handling by replacing the suspension, but it's still a truck.

Wolfman’s Brother · 06-18-2020, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunTheJoules

^^ What he said.

To OP: Comparing a BMW X5 to a 4Runner is a literal apples to oranges comparison.

Yeah he gone

sonjason · 06-18-2020, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowYeti

Drive a lifted Jeep Wrangler with bigger tires on the freeway going 75-80 mph, that will improve your 4Rs handling perspective.

Which I had to do yesterday in my wife’s Jeep on highways with heavy construction. Mad Max hanging on for dear life in those conditions! Exhausting

I feel your pain, my wife has a 16 JKU Black Bear with soft top and it is honestly painful to ride in much less drive.

rightyouareken · 06-18-2020, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thennen

I would assume that this type of "road feel" you're referring to wasn't on the design list for the 4Runner, and never has been. I've had three different generations, and they all drove in a similar manner - a bit top-heavy, with some lean/roll in curves and corners. It's how the truck is built. My 2019 has the nicest ride of them all, btw.

If Toyota were to build in some of the crispness to which you're referring, they'd have to change the wheelbase, centers of gravity, suspension, etc. Sure, they could make a 4Runner that drives like an Audi, BMW, Porsche, or VW, but then it would look a lot like them, too, and would have the same off-road limitations. The compliant factory suspension, while not everyone's favorite, probably works against on-pavement "feel", to some extent. The advice from many others on here might lead you closer to your goal.

Interesting you've had that experience. Both me and a friend of mine have 3rd gens and just bought 5th gens and both noticed immediately how less "direct" the steering feels at higher speed. It obviously still flops in turns and has a lot of dive and body roll, but the steering wheel feel is much more direct. The 3rd gen on the whole feels a lot more "direct and connected" for some reason. That being said, I prefer so much else about the 5th gen it wasn't a major concern to me. Perhaps it's these crummy Dueler H/T tires lol.

I think it's a new car thing...almost every new car out there now has a lot more "numb" steering than cars used to. The 5th gen almost feels like it has electric steering like my 2012 F150 (which was equally numb on the highway) even though it's still hydraulic. It just has that vague "numb" electric feel for some reason. I think buyers today just don't want to feel anything in the steering wheel so manufacturers try to tune them to feel dead.

thennen · 06-18-2020, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rightyouareken

Interesting you've had that experience. Both me and a friend of mine have 3rd gens and just bought 5th gens and both noticed immediately how less "direct" the steering feels at higher speed. It obviously still flops in turns and has a lot of dive and body roll, but the steering wheel feel is much more direct. The 3rd gen on the whole feels a lot more "direct and connected" for some reason. That being said, I prefer so much else about the 5th gen it wasn't a major concern to me. Perhaps it's these crummy Dueler H/T tires lol.

I think it's a new car thing...almost every new car out there now has a lot more "numb" steering than cars used to. The 5th gen almost feels like it has electric steering like my 2012 F150 (which was equally numb on the highway) even though it's still hydraulic. It just has that vague "numb" electric feel for some reason. I think buyers today just don't want to feel anything in the steering wheel so manufacturers try to tune them to feel dead.

I thought about it later, and the 3rd gen may have felt a bit different. Visually, my Gen3 seemed to have a wider wheelbase relative to vehicle height. So perhaps it did handle a little better. Can’t compare now though, since it’s gone.

83Mule · 06-18-2020, 07:39 PM

After 5100's all around, 4.o caster and 1.25'' spacers that give track width, mine handles the twisties quite well. Stock is was a rolling, bobbing Pig.

johnbt · 06-18-2020, 09:43 PM

Should have bought the KDSS.

rob_dixon · 06-19-2020, 06:22 PM

Fantastic answers guys from some who are clearly knowledgeable. Again, I definitely don't expect the darn thing to be sporty haha but glad others know exactly what i am talking about.

SpeedyKevin · 06-19-2020, 06:40 PM

Hmm have you tried increasing caster? After I got my lift I did notice a lot of...swaying on the highway. Installed aftermarket UCAs and didn't really notice a difference at first but it all clicked (in my head) after one off road trip. Then started noticing the improvement on the highway.

arouth · 02-28-2024, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 83Mule

After 5100's all around, 4.o caster and 1.25'' spacers that give track width, mine handles the twisties quite well. Stock is was a rolling, bobbing Pig.

I have a 2015 4Runner with KDSS. I have the steering wheel vibration at 60mph and at around that speed the SUV will pull left on the left side of the road and right on the right side of the road. I have another vehicle that does not do this on the same roads. New tires, just aligned.

Will a 4.0 caster solve this the front end wandering at least? Read through the thread but was not sure.

czgunner · 03-08-2024, 08:15 PM

I think my '16 SR5 is the nicest driving 4WD vehicle I've ever driven. I grew up driving old trucks for the 60's forward.

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vilkus · 03-15-2024, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by czgunner

I think my '16 SR5 is the nicest driving 4WD vehicle I've ever driven. I grew up driving old trucks for the 60's forward.

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I wish I had the same experience.

I've owned several 4x4 trucks from 1967 on. From IH Scouts to 3/4 ton Ford, Chevy and IH pickups and they all tracked better than my present 21 4Runner.
My wife has a 24 year old Suburban with close to 200,000 mi on it and it also tracks better especially in the wind.

After reading posts on this forum I went ahead and had the caster set to 4 camber 0.
There was definite improvement but I still feel like I'm driving a piece of farm equipment. (Slight overstatement).

I bought the 4Runner new and it's stock.
The truck is mostly for on road use with an occasional trip across a pasture.
Since I don't need flotation, I was wondering if a narrower/ higher profile tire might improve things. Like 235/75/17 maybe? Thoughts?

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