5th gen handling. Tire pressure vs alignment.

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surfnturfer

New member
I've been cruising the site all week but can't find the answer i am looking for. I am running out of time. Leaving for CO. In 2 days. I have a 2012 2wd with a 3/1 toytec level kit And GR DT 275/70/17 at 42 psi on stock wheels. It tracks straight but feels like it is being bumped around in a draft on hi way and it is x wind sensitive. It is not horrible but you've got to drive it. I notice it but my wife does not. CAster is at 1.9 FL/2.2 FR. I would like to get more caster if possible.
My question are:
Can I improve this with tire pressure?
Can I get any more caster without changing UCAs?
Anything else anyone might suggest?
 
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surfnturfer said:
I've been cruising the site all week but can't find the answer i am looking for. I am running out of time. Leaving for CO. In 2 days. I have a 2012 2wd with a 3/1 toytec level kit And GR DT 275/70/17 at 42 psi on stock wheels. It tracks straight but feels like it is being bumped around in a draft on hi way and it is x wind sensitive. It is not horrible but you've got to drive it. I notice it but my wife does not. CAster is at 1.9 FL/2.2 FR. I would like to get more caster if possible.
My question are:
Can I improve this with tire pressure?
Can I get any more caster without changing UCAs?
Anything else anyone might suggest?
Click to expand...

If you drop pressure a bit, it may help with it being extra sensitive. However, there are some draw backs. Your MPG will drop, cornering may suffer, also it may increase heat in the sidewall of the tire which will increase the chance of failure.

It may be possible to get a little more caster out of the UCAs but not much. Aftermarket UCAs are really the way to go.

Unfortunately, there are a bunch of variables working against you. It's relatively tall, short wheelbase, low caster, narrow track vehicle. All the suspension angles have changed once you lifted so it behaves different than Toyota designed it to. You can get some of it back with aftermarket UCAs and a good alignment.
 
Ron, that was what I was figuring on the caster. I went up on tire psi to 45 and it MIGHT be a little better. Gonna go the other way down to 35 and see what happens. BTW the tires are load range D. I don't think I am gonna spend the $$$ on another alignment until I get new UCAs. It's not that bad.
 
Take those stupid spacers out. You've got 2WD, 3rd row seats, so this is no off-roader. How much money/trouble are you willing to part with for cool?

You've fiddled up the suspension geometry - what do you expect?

:der:
 
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Thanks Phil. That is just what I was expecting from T4r. But I know some will offer help. It's my wife's rig and if you saw her you would know why I am willing to spend plenty for cool. Lol
 
surfnturfer said:
Thanks Phil. That is just what I was expecting from T4r. But I know some will offer help. It's my wife's rig and if you saw her you would know why I am willing to spend plenty for cool. Lol
Click to expand...

If you want to spend plenty for cool then do it right bro. Ditch the spacers and get a decent suspension lift and get it re aligned. If you can't get your caster up then get UCA's. Otherwise, just keep doing but don't expect good results out of crap parts.
 
surfnturfer said:
Thanks Phil. That is just what I was expecting from T4r. But I know some will offer help. It's my wife's rig and if you saw her you would know why I am willing to spend plenty for cool. Lol
Click to expand...

Surfn - I'm pleased for your trophy wife. Do you buy her diamonds, or CZ?

You asked for "a fix", yes? Or, perhaps you'd like to send good money after bad?

"Spend plenty"??????? On spacers???? You'll spend plenty making them work.

Done here.
 
surfnturfer said:
5100s are a future option but we road trip tomorrow. Would the 5100s help the nose dive when braking? And could I get more caster with them? All in all we are very happy with the look and does great around town. On hi way, I think it could be a little better. The wife does not notice it at all.
From previous post, I quantified it as a complete poser ride.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/119224-my-wifes-poser-ride-post1111562.html
Click to expand...

[MENTION=83542]surfnturfer[/MENTION]-

I think the Bilstein 5100s are a great option, but I'd say that you're still likely to face certain issues if you go that route. I installed the 5100s all the way around on my 2014 TE and set the front adjustables to 1.75". Kept all other factory components in place. My goal was to improve the overall ride quality and also level the front.

The result? I think it looks awesome, and driving around town feels great. No nose dive. Also no "reverse rake" issue. Life is good. Except...

At highway speeds, I've got the same issue that (I think) you're describing. The vehicle tracks straight ahead---no pulling to either side. But it feels like I'm getting hit with hard crosswinds. "Twitchy" is the best way I can describe it.

So for the past couple of weeks I've been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding suspension and alignment. I've also gotten some really good input from a couple of forum members. I feel 1,000 times more knowledgeable now than I did a month ago (granted, I was pitifully ignorant to begin with, but oh well). All signs point to a low caster measurement. I'm currently at 2.6 on both sides, which is within factory spec but definitely on the low side.

My conclusion is that I was ridiculously naive to have thought that I could manipulate the suspension setup (thereby changing the entire geometry/physics of the truck) without suffering any consequences. I think the only options at this point are:

1. Lower the front back down to factory level (hell no).

2. Just live with the funny highway feel (maybe---I'm noticing it less and less the longer I live with it).

3. Invest in some adjustable aftermarket UCAs that will let me get more caster without sacrificing camber (maybe---still researching the pros/cons of aftermarket UCAs).

Hope you find some of that helpful/informative. My point to you, though, is that ANY modding you do to your suspension setup is going to have repercussions to some degree...
 
I can only speak for myself and I have a different tire. I notice a big difference when my tire pressure is 37~psi versus 42~ psi. I opt for the lesser. The ride is smoother less "drifty", truck seems to track better on the freeway.
 
surfnturfer said:
Would the 5100s help the nose dive when braking? And could I get more caster with them?
Click to expand...
The 5100s have stiffer compression damping, so they will help with nose dive feeling. You can get better caster with them, but only because they don't lift as much as your 3" spacer does. Probably not much better with the 2.5 setting.

cowtown said:
[MENTION=83542]surfnturfer[/MENTION]-
3. Invest in some adjustable aftermarket UCAs that will let me get more caster without sacrificing camber (maybe---still researching the pros/cons of aftermarket UCAs).
Click to expand...
Pros: Stronger, less stiction, fixing caster angle, additional clearance near the tire
Cons: more noise, vibration, maintenance, potential failure
 
Hmmm, my lesbian neighbor told me she drives a lifted Jeep so she can cruise dude's wives, jus sayin'.
 
No wife pics coming. It will cost me half of everything if not my life. Lol

Thank for the advice. I am playing with tire pressure now but not having much luck. It's not gonna cause a wreck or anything it just more work to drive than my Goat 1500.

No lesbo jeep drivers down here but if you see a modded out jeep chances are a pretty good looking soccer mom will be driving it. I saw a sticker in a 4r the other day reading " jeeps are cute. Barbie drives one"
 
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