Fj vs limited ride

[zanetti]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a '14 limited coming from an 'o7 FJ. I was expecting a similar ride but to my chagrin on the test drive the limited seemed wallowy in the turns and rattled over road bumps in a way my 128k FJ doesn't. I plan on lifting the limited as I work on mountaintop cell towers. Will the lift improve the overall suspension dynamics? It seems like I can dart the FJ around corners in a tighter manner. Thank you out: :usa2:

 

[1engineer]

Only way to lift a limited and keep XREAS is spacer lift. That will not help handling. Rip out stock XREAS for a proper suspension lift and you spent 2K on Limited suspension for nothing. The steps for improving cornering on road is the exact opposite than what you need for off road handling. Good luck.

 

[physicshammer]

I've heard that the KDSS system on trail edition 4runners may be much better on-road (and around fast turns) than the Limited Edition. Might be worth a test drive before buying the LE.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Raising the center of gravity will not help in the turns. A good suspension lift should stiffen up the ride quite a bit and help with the wallowy feeling and hopefully counteract the CG problem. As stated above, very good off road suspension dynamics do not make for an awesome on road experience. KDSS is better on road because it uses larger sway bars and also uses hydraulic rams to help hold those sway bars in place during cornering. Unfortunately buying a new vehicle and immedeatly replacing the suspension effectively doubles the price of said suspension because the stock system was just paid for and removing it makes it a loss.

 

[bimrunner]

Sounds like you really need to test drive a Trail with KDSS. Unless there are features on the LE that you really want/need (like I did), the Trail seems far more likely to suit your needs. Probably the best compromised suspension out there. You can keep KDSS with the proper lift. [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] is correct about the lift not playing nice with XREAS. Ripped mine out within a couple months. I like how mine drives more, but it is an expensive way to do it.

 

[Stifler]

SR5 Premium and after market suspension for the win!

 

[zanetti]

These are a lot of great points and thanks for taking the time to respond. The 4runner would be mostly highway use with a monthly trip up Arizona rocky trails. I wanted the limited comfort features since in the FJ I have a mess of wires and accessories for radio transmitters and other nonsense. Also I wanted to make my highway drives a lot more comfy haha. Either way it does seem like a great vehicle. Another factor that came to mind is that I may be perceiving a lot longer wheelbase than the FJ which has some effect. I did notice that when I flung it around the corners (and freaked out the salesman) it stuck very well with no perception of slippage. The sales manager said "drive it like you stole it" which I did.

One knock is that the local dealerships do not want to deal anywhere where I'm expecting. All are at 41k plus ttl and could care less that they are going for 39-40k in vegas. I believe they should sell at invoice or below but it didn't help that the family in front of me was driving off a white pearl at 43k.

 

[Stifler]

I just cant get past the face of the new limited... FUGLY. The interior is tits though! If I could get the limited interior in an SR5 Id be buying one today

 

[JohnJerk]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a '14 limited coming from an 'o7 FJ. I was expecting a similar ride but to my chagrin on the test drive the limited seemed wallowy in the turns and rattled over road bumps in a way my 128k FJ doesn't. I plan on lifting the limited as I work on mountaintop cell towers. Will the lift improve the overall suspension dynamics? It seems like I can dart the FJ around corners in a tighter manner. Thank you out: :usa2:

Having owned an 11 LE and a 13 FJ, this just doesn't sound right. FJ is a boat on wheels and the limited has stiffer suspension and low profile tires and rides way more planted. FJ will "dart" better with shorter wheel base.

If you plan to lift the LE, can we assume the FJ is not stock? That would explain it. Or does the LE need some air in the tires? 14 LE should not rattle. Must be a seat belt or something very simple.

 

[zanetti]

The FJ is totally stock. The Limited still had the paper on the hood and 1 mile. The salesman said there probably wasn't full air in the tires or something along those lines.

 

[zanetti]

I just cant get past the face of the new limited... FUGLY. The interior is tits though! If I could get the limited interior in an SR5 Id be buying one today

Agreed. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to protect the front end. It's going to be a big complicated clear bra application plus a brush guard.

 

[Stifler]

the only thing I could see doing to make it remotely acceptable would be to color match that hideous chrome fascia! If not this is all I can think:

 

[JohnJerk]

Most new vehicles come off the transport truck with too high pressure rather than too low FWIW.

My guess is that a week after purchase of an LE, the FJ and it's ride characteristics will be a distant memory. Does your FJ have e load tires or something? 100k+ miles on original shocks should make for a bouncy ride.