2013 "ride" doesn't seem just right

Q

QuarterNote

New member
I recently purchased a one-owner 2013 SR5 4Runner with about 50k miles and in great shape. My girlfriend recently bought a one-owner 2011 SR5 with about 65k miles, that seems to be the exact same vehicle, other than leather interior. Nothing appears to have changed in their design between 2011 and 2013(?). BUT, the "ride" between these two vehicles is quite different...

Her 4Runner has a nice, smooth feel on the road, from very low speeds to interstate speeds. It feels like a heavy vehicle. While it's not like a Honda Accord, it feels great. The steering wheel is completely vibration free, even when going over bumps.

My 4Runner feels "cheap" or loose, by comparison. At low speeds, you can feel almost every bump in the road through the chassis and especially the steering wheel. At higher speeds, it seems to easily "dart" depending on the wind, and many road bumps cause it to veer left or right. I initially thought it was just a difference in tires (mine has new Yokohama, hers has Bridgestone), but what I'm experiencing is way more than tire differences (I think). Also, I just wouldn't think worn suspension issues with the low mileage it has. Stumped.

So, I'm looking for educated opinions before I get the dealer to examine it. I did take it to them recently for a weird "squeak" coming from the front end, but they said it was the hood squeaking. I doubted that at first. But, they were right.

Any experiences with what I'm describing? I hope I have it explained it well. The more I drive her 4Runner, the more I realize something can't be right with mine.
 
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QuarterNote said:
I recently purchased a one-owner 2013 SR5 4Runner with about 50k miles and in great shape. My girlfriend recently bought a one-owner 2011 SR5 with about 65k miles, that seems to be the exact same vehicle, other than leather interior. Nothing appears to have changed in their design between 2011 and 2013(?). BUT, the "ride" between these two vehicles is quite different...



Her 4Runner has a nice, smooth feel on the road, from very low speeds to interstate speeds. It feels like a heavy vehicle. While it's not like a Honda Accord, it feels great. The steering wheel is completely vibration free, even when going over bumps.



My 4Runner feels "cheap" or loose, by comparison. At low speeds, you can feel almost every bump in the road through the chassis and especially the steering wheel. At higher speeds, it seems to easily "dart" depending on the wind, and many road bumps cause it to veer left or right. I initially thought it was just a difference in tires (mine has new Yokohama, hers has Bridgestone), but what I'm experiencing is way more than tire differences (I think). Also, I just wouldn't think worn suspension issues with the low mileage it has. Stumped.



So, I'm looking for educated opinions before I get the dealer to examine it. I did take it to them recently for a weird "squeak" coming from the front end, but they said it was the hood squeaking. I doubted that at first. But, they were right.



Any experiences with what I'm describing? I hope I have it explained it well. The more I drive her 4Runner, the more I realize something can't be right with mine.
Click to expand...



Both with stock suspension?


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Caster adjustment may solve the wandering issue.

For the rough ride, I have to say that it all depends on which one you get off the line honestly. I've test driven a LOT of used and brand new vehicles and it is hit or miss. That's why I need to do an extended test drive before a purchase on the exact vehicle I am looking at. I have also found out that between 180-200k miles, most of the cars I drive develop a shimmy in the seats and floorboards. Totally unexplained.

Get the alignment checked and go from there.
 
Switch both sets of tires and see what happens.

(Easy for me to say, I'm retired and have a big floor jack, jack stands and an impact wrench.)
 
Also check tire pressure.

All of these things COULD be explained by a combination of tire pressure, different tires, and alignment. Not a guarantee, but it’s a solid place to start before you do anything more intense.


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Easy, the 2011 trucks were the best LOL.

My guess is one was beat on while the other had an easy life in terms of the suspension. The rest is alignment and tires....

One thing is for sure with these, No two are exactly the same in terms of the suspension alignment..

I would swap wheels and tires as a start and see what that does.
 
wfo9 said:
My guess is one was beat on while the other had an easy life in terms of the suspension.
Click to expand...

I would add.. or wrecked to that. Drunken curb shot, blasting over a parking block, smacking concrete light post... you know those kind of things, that are relatively easy to fix and make look like new again but can ruin drivability.
 
QuarterNote said:
Yes, as best I know. Both completely stock and "appear" to have been well taken care of.
Click to expand...

My brand new 2018 did the same until I swapped the suspension. I hated the stock ride. It was dangerous. Very twitchy, body roll even on the slightest turn, had the death grip at highway speeds, nose dive, etc. Got a new suspension and an alignment. Now it is like butter. Some may say stock is totally fine though. YMMV. Good luck, OP. :noidea:
 
I dropped by a tire shop this afternoon and talked with them about my issue(s) before I deal with the Toyota dealership, and the guy was extremely nice and helpful, taking it for a test drive with me. He said he's not really familiar with the 4Runners above any other vehicle and that it drove okay to him other than maybe the tire pressure was a little too high, or at least felt that way. They released 5 pounds from all four tires. I'm not sure I can tell much difference. Maybe a tad?

He said the Yokohama's are decent tires, but also had no extensive experience with them. He's a Michelin and Bridgestone dealer. He examined the tires and thought air pressure was causing the rough ride and the tires possibly causing the very slight darting.

So, didn't really leave with a lot of answers. I have to get an inspection in just over a month, so I will get the dealer to really examine the suspension and alignment. Honestly, I wouldn't think there was a problem with anything if it wasn't for how well my girlfriend's 4Runner rides. Go figure.
 
4runr4eva said:
My brand new 2018 did the same until I swapped the suspension. I hated the stock ride. It was dangerous. Very twitchy, body roll even on the slightest turn, had the death grip at highway speeds, nose dive, etc. Got a new suspension and an alignment. Now it is like butter. Some may say stock is totally fine though. YMMV. Good luck, OP. :noidea:
Click to expand...

Any info on the suspension details? Price range? Just curious, as the ride leaves a lot to be desired in the handling department.
 
I actually ran into this a lot when I was test driving a few used 5th gens. I definitely agree with alignment and caster position. It isn't old enough to have serious suspension issues unless someone beat it to death.
 
4runr4eva said:
My brand new 2018 did the same until I swapped the suspension. I hated the stock ride. It was dangerous. Very twitchy, body roll even on the slightest turn, had the death grip at highway speeds, nose dive, etc. Got a new suspension and an alignment. Now it is like butter. Some may say stock is totally fine though. YMMV. Good luck, OP. :noidea:
Click to expand...

This as well. The ride was smooth but a lot of roll and dive. I actually switched out the suspension before doing anything else because it felt dangerous compared to my 4th gen.
 
QuarterNote said:
Any info on the suspension details? Price range? Just curious, as the ride leaves a lot to be desired in the handling department.
Click to expand...

If you are looking to do something relatively inexpensive and easy to do yourself, look at Bilstein 5100 series. The fronts are adjustable and you can get additional height in the back with new springs if you want. I have 5100s on my 5th gen on the rear with some sway-a-way springs and 6112s on the front. However, this was a bit more expensive than 5100s all around. After riding in my friend's with 5100s all around I wish I'd have saved the money because I can't tell a difference. As far as price, I priced it out for my 4th gen at about $360 for the 5100s all around, plus installation if you opt to have someone do it. You can get up to an advertised 2.5" or keep it stock ride height (I think they adjust from no lift, 1.75, 2.5, but there may be a height between none and 1.75).
 
QuarterNote said:
Any info on the suspension details? Price range? Just curious, as the ride leaves a lot to be desired in the handling department.
Click to expand...



I put 5100 all around, with 0.85 settings in front. No more nose dive and minimal body roll. $315 for the parts, $370 for the installation. Switched to oem Bridgestone tire recently, very happy with the ride quality.


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QuarterNote said:
Any info on the suspension details? Price range? Just curious, as the ride leaves a lot to be desired in the handling department.
Click to expand...

I got the FJ TRD Pro kit for just over 500. It was a steal at that price. The kits have since dried up and only the 4Runner TRD Pro upgrade is available. The FJ kit had taller stiffer front springs thats all. I would say Bilstein 5100's as a similar upgrade. Good luck!
 
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