01 runner lean

[Hayride]

I have an 01 Runner that I bought in Feb w/60K on it. I noticed after I bought it that it leaned to the left about 3/4 to 1 inch. I replaced the stock stuff w/ Old Man Emu springs and shocks and still leaned to the left. Took it to the dealer and they found nothing wrong with the suspension and don't know why it leans. I moved to California couple months ago, took it to a dealer here, no suspension problems found other than the lower ball joint recall, which they did. I drive by myself most the time but shouldn't matter as it was leaning to the left right after the new parts were put in. Can't tell if it's front or rear related. Any ideas?

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

wow i thought mine was the only one, but i haven't replaced the springs yet. I'm a second owner, the guy that had it before me was fighting the earth for a gravitational field. Suprisingly the seats are all in primo condition. But i think that's why it leans. Now you having said you replaced the springs and it still leans kinda worries me...

 

[Hayride]

Trust me, it's the best money you'll spend on your rig. Old Man Emu shocks and springs, rides TIGHT and feels proper. Looks proper too with the butt up a litte, just the right rake to it,and up 1.5" overall.

 

[RunnerUp]

i love my OME, i hate trucks that sit bulldog, but to each their own, now leaning on one side is an issue, i would say tire pressure, but if you replaced the suspension im sure you have checked that. i wonder if your truck has ever been in a bad wreck? might want to carfax that one.

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

i love my OME, i hate trucks that sit bulldog, but to each their own, now leaning on one side is an issue, i would say tire pressure, but if you replaced the suspension im sure you have checked that. i wonder if your truck has ever been in a bad wreck? might want to carfax that one.

no wrecks. tires are brand new all the same psi. like i said, a very large dude owned it before me. but mine desn't lean as much as hayride says his does. but that whill all be taken care of, in a month or two i'm getting the ome setup.

 

[Hayride]

Carfax checked out great. Buddy mechanic checked out great. Maybe it just leans to be cool, like the James Dean Lean. Here are some pics if I get them on here right....oops, file too big, will modify and try later, will just show it leaning.....

 

[Hayride]

lean can be seen slightly in this pic


I took your advice......better safe right????

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

you can really notice it looking at the control arms. mine isn't that noticeable and it's a 98. besides sagging springs; I'm kinda clueless as to what it could be.
and you might want to photochop your liscense plate

 

[Hayride]

chop shmop. thanks for the concern, but anybody that wants anybody elses info already has it or can get it. Besides, those aren't even my plates as of next week given that I get new ones for Cali. It is a strange lean....I'm at a loss, and don't want to pay hundreds of dollars to have it diagnosed any further, which would be perhaps a body off the frame inspection...nahhh, I think I give up!

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

does it lean worse when you have a full tank of gas?
one thing i can think to do is measure the length of your springs while on level ground, measure exactly. then measure a friend's non-leaning 4runner's. compare numbers and also compare to factory specs (if there are any for compressed spring length). Another thing maybe, check the geometry of the control arms.
if the springs are different then you figured it out, no need to keep wondering.

 

[Hayride]

I took your advice right eh. The thing about the springs, is that the lean was there with the factory or OEM springs, and is there after the aftermarket Old Man Emu, or OME springs, have been installed. I think it's elsewere. Maybe the frame is tweaked but it doesn't show on carfax, or perhaps worn body mount(s), or ?. Whatever it is, I appreciate your help, thanks.

 

[RunnerUp]

hmmm... now that you say that..... have u checked your factory body mounts?

 

[Hayride]

I've not checked the body mounts yet, but like I said, I think it might be them. I hope that's what it is. Even if it's 1million dollars to fix, which means of course I would not fix it, I'm dying to know what it is....I had an old crusty mechanic type look at the rig and took out a measuring tape and said the upper shock mounts on the frame are different. Said the right side is 1" off from the left and that he has seen this before when a factory changes the production line, say from 4X4's to 4X2's or between models etc...I don't know, sounds out there to me but.....