04 4runner "leaning"
- Thread starter ssolley
- Start date
bulldog-yota
New member
I measured mine and it was 33.5 both right and left in the front and 35.7 on the left and 35.5 on the right in the rear which is fine.
aj884runner
New member
Side Sag
Too bad we not talking about old 4Runners. Just crank up the torsion bar on one side and get an alignment.
:
Too bad we not talking about old 4Runners. Just crank up the torsion bar on one side and get an alignment.
:I'm so glad mine doesn't tilt - I have X-REAS. I hate tilting. You'll notice that nearly every Ford Explorer (previous gen) tilts- and I always hated that. It was due to the weight of the gas tank - empty or not. They look so cheap & crappy when they're all tilted and squashed on one side.
I would fight this till you get it resolved if I were you guys.
I would fight this till you get it resolved if I were you guys.
results of "leaning" arbitration
Hey guys, Went to arbitration and of course Toyota admitted that this was "a design characteristic of 2WD '04 4Runner" (even though they could not give an explanation of why this was a beneficial characteristic) The arbitrator agreed that it was a design flaw however ruled in favor of Toyota because there were no proven safety issues related to the slant. I think this is outrageous that a 30K vehicle leans at all. I am truly disappointed in the mediocre quality that Toyota assumes todays consumer will have to "just live with".
Hey guys, Went to arbitration and of course Toyota admitted that this was "a design characteristic of 2WD '04 4Runner" (even though they could not give an explanation of why this was a beneficial characteristic) The arbitrator agreed that it was a design flaw however ruled in favor of Toyota because there were no proven safety issues related to the slant. I think this is outrageous that a 30K vehicle leans at all. I am truly disappointed in the mediocre quality that Toyota assumes todays consumer will have to "just live with".
Kmvreter
New member
Don't forget the tires.
Take the rubber out of the equation. I got curious about mine after reading this and another thread. Noticed no difference at the rear and 1/8" lower at the driver's front. But you can't rely on pavement to be a straight or flat datum for measuring plus you have to take the rubber out of the equation. So I went from center of the wheels to the fender cladding. Almost dead nuts on rear. Less than 1/32" lower at driver's front. This could just be the lip on the plastic. If I get ambitious I might pull out the calipers and measure some frame to suspension points but I don't think it's worth it on mine. I can't believe a dealership can't correct this with suspension parts unless the frame is twisted.
Could be something as simple as differential in tire pressures.
Take the rubber out of the equation. I got curious about mine after reading this and another thread. Noticed no difference at the rear and 1/8" lower at the driver's front. But you can't rely on pavement to be a straight or flat datum for measuring plus you have to take the rubber out of the equation. So I went from center of the wheels to the fender cladding. Almost dead nuts on rear. Less than 1/32" lower at driver's front. This could just be the lip on the plastic. If I get ambitious I might pull out the calipers and measure some frame to suspension points but I don't think it's worth it on mine. I can't believe a dealership can't correct this with suspension parts unless the frame is twisted.
Could be something as simple as differential in tire pressures.
Good Times
New member
Alot of vehicles are slanted towards the driver side naturally. The gas tank, driver, battery etc etc all weighs more and thus the driver side will be lower.
I believe Toyota uses the same spring for both the driver and passenger side and they do not compensate for the additional weight so we're all kinda stuck w/ the slant look. The slant should be ever so slight that it's really not a big deal nor a safety concern.
The easiest way to compensate for this is making sure you place the passenger on the passenger side and offset the weight. Other options include throwing weight on the other side
Yeah it's a pain and think why spend $$$ on something to have this problem! well it's a problem across the board on alot of vehicles so... doh!
If you lift your truck, then the sag will be minimized.
Btw on the side note on those tie down parts. When MB's come to our ports they use the screw in tie downs that are located in the front and rear bumpers (behind the plastic tab that covers it). They screw the tie down in so they can strap the vehicle down while on the vessel. Therefore I believe all other mfg's do the same. So our tie down located on both the front and rear are the same as well (definitely used for strapping down/towing etc etc).
I believe Toyota uses the same spring for both the driver and passenger side and they do not compensate for the additional weight so we're all kinda stuck w/ the slant look. The slant should be ever so slight that it's really not a big deal nor a safety concern.
The easiest way to compensate for this is making sure you place the passenger on the passenger side and offset the weight. Other options include throwing weight on the other side
Yeah it's a pain and think why spend $$$ on something to have this problem! well it's a problem across the board on alot of vehicles so... doh!If you lift your truck, then the sag will be minimized.
Btw on the side note on those tie down parts. When MB's come to our ports they use the screw in tie downs that are located in the front and rear bumpers (behind the plastic tab that covers it). They screw the tie down in so they can strap the vehicle down while on the vessel. Therefore I believe all other mfg's do the same. So our tie down located on both the front and rear are the same as well (definitely used for strapping down/towing etc etc).
ckon
New member
Has anyone ever noticed if they also tilt when driving or is it only when parked? I don't think I've ever noticed any tilt on other 4Runners I've seen driving - only when parked.
Also, is it mostly 4Rs with X-REAS? My Limited with X-REAS does it when parked and I wonder if it has something to do with fluid transfer from one shock to another as you come to a stop and shut it down. Not totally sure how the X-REAS shuts down. Does all the fluid in the shocks reach equity or does it retain more pressure on one shock or another that might be influencing how the vehicle comes to rest?
Also, is it mostly 4Rs with X-REAS? My Limited with X-REAS does it when parked and I wonder if it has something to do with fluid transfer from one shock to another as you come to a stop and shut it down. Not totally sure how the X-REAS shuts down. Does all the fluid in the shocks reach equity or does it retain more pressure on one shock or another that might be influencing how the vehicle comes to rest?
c44me
New member
Yep, my '03 V8 SR5 also leans sometimes. I noticed it at work, then drove it to a flat parking area and measured the rear driver's side as 1" lower than the rear passenger side, behind the wheels. Curiously, the front end is the same height on right and left, measured in front of the front tires.
Frankly, I don't care why it does this, and it doesn't bother me any more than the seats that won't stay adjusted, the engine that dies, the nightmare ergonomics, the frightening brakes, the unpredictable transmission, or the wallowing ride. It's just a Toyota.
Frankly, I don't care why it does this, and it doesn't bother me any more than the seats that won't stay adjusted, the engine that dies, the nightmare ergonomics, the frightening brakes, the unpredictable transmission, or the wallowing ride. It's just a Toyota.
G
Guest
Guest
Alright, I have just skimmed thru this thread and see that many of you are dealing with an un-level rear end. I have 5" of lift in the back of mine, and when I put the suspension together this last time(downey coils, revtek spacers, custom NE parts, etc) I added an extra 3/4" to the drivers side, and even after that I am about a 1/4" low. Not enough to be noticable now, but I have what we are calling "coil leveling shims" over at Nitrous Enterprises available in 1/2" tall discs that essentially sit between the coil and bump stop to level the vehicle. These are extremely easy to produce for us, and we have quite a few sets and singles sitting on the shelf right now, so anyone who is interested, please email me at: [email protected] and we'll take care of ya. Thanks all.
Billy
Billy
swooopeno
New member
Here's another idea...
Most roads have at least a 2% grade from the center of the road to the curb for water drainage. Toyota COULD have accomodated for this so that while driving, the truck is more level.. which in case, we should congratulate them???
In any event, if it does lean to the driver's side a little, know that you are more level while driving (when it matters). Who cares about a 1/2" tilt when it is parked???
Most roads have at least a 2% grade from the center of the road to the curb for water drainage. Toyota COULD have accomodated for this so that while driving, the truck is more level.. which in case, we should congratulate them???
In any event, if it does lean to the driver's side a little, know that you are more level while driving (when it matters). Who cares about a 1/2" tilt when it is parked???
TRD04RUNNER
New member
I weight 170lb when I'm in the 4r by myself I make sure to put a couple of dumbbell on the pass side to even out the car so it don't lean when I'm driving down the road. LOL
webshot
New member
Toyota Tacoma's are well known for their lean on the drivers side. I had one at one time. Toyota has not figured out that putting the driver, full fuel tank, steering rack, brake booster, and battery on the left side of the vehicle will cause a lean!! Duh! The new and old 4runner is no different.
Good Times
New member
webshot said:
Part of the reason is due to the fact that overseas the drive sits on the other side thus balancing the weight.
Now why they didn't just mirror the rest of the vehicle (external) I dunno. Since they already do the interior, I don't see how doing the exterior can be that much more difficult.
BurghRunner
New member
My '06 SR5 4WD is about 1/2" - 3/4" lower on the driver's side in the rear. The dealer says live with it. I feel that side is only going to get lower with the tank and my butt both on that side continously. Its not going to get better.
I found a source that will make me a 1/2" coil spacer. Any thoughts on trying this?
I found a source that will make me a 1/2" coil spacer. Any thoughts on trying this?
Mr. Lambdebois
New member
I haven't taken the time to read all the responces to see if it has been noted but....
A vehicles springs are what control its ride height. If it is not level and is not a normal chariteristic your model vehicle than the only way to correct it is by replacing the springs. It is unusual for a new vehicle to have spring sag .
Have you compared it to other 4runners like yours and found a differance? Apparently it might be normal... see
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18364
It simply could just be how the weight of the vehicle is distributed. It may just have a little more weight on that side. This was the case in the 2nd gen explorers.
The first step is to compare it to another similar 4runner with the same amount of gass. If there is an obvious differance I would then replace the springs.
You could be "ghetto" and use a spacer on the sagging side but I would not recomend it. You would experiance a different spring rate since one is already loaded with a spacer and would effect the vehicle and how it is desined to distribute its weight during suspension jounce and rebound. IMO replace the springs.
A vehicles springs are what control its ride height. If it is not level and is not a normal chariteristic your model vehicle than the only way to correct it is by replacing the springs. It is unusual for a new vehicle to have spring sag .
Have you compared it to other 4runners like yours and found a differance? Apparently it might be normal... see
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18364
It simply could just be how the weight of the vehicle is distributed. It may just have a little more weight on that side. This was the case in the 2nd gen explorers.
The first step is to compare it to another similar 4runner with the same amount of gass. If there is an obvious differance I would then replace the springs.
You could be "ghetto" and use a spacer on the sagging side but I would not recomend it. You would experiance a different spring rate since one is already loaded with a spacer and would effect the vehicle and how it is desined to distribute its weight during suspension jounce and rebound. IMO replace the springs.
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BurghRunner
New member
These things just seem to lean. The coil spacer could be a cheesy fix. If I've got 1/2 to 3/4" lean, I already have a truck with an uneven suspension with regard to road response etc. I may try a 1/2" spacer.
