fightman80
New member
Hey folks! Noticing that my 4Runner feels really floaty in the rear, when hitting washboards on snow covered roads. The back end of the truck is all over the place, even when travelling lower speeds, like 40-50km's per hour... 
Floaty feeling?
- Thread starter fightman80
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MStudt
official vendor
I've experienced the same thing on my reason trip to southern Utah while driving down a sand/red clay road. We'd hit some wash board sections and it'd feel like the rear was starting to kick out. I just blamed that on the fact it was rear wheel drive and I was only in 2wd at the time.
bubbaleenc
New member
Could be suspension is either wearing/worn out or it could be the road was maxing out the capabilities of your suspension. In both situations, the shocks don't push the axle & wheels back down to the ground before the next bump impacts the tire. What happens then is a tighter spring compression on that next bump which pops up that side or the whole back axle more than it usually would. This gets amplified on each bump until the springs meet equilibrium with the road conditions - and that makes the rear end feel like a 1986 Crown Vic.
It also makes the passengers go...
:girl:
(I've been waiting for an opportunity to use that gif!)
It also makes the passengers go...
:girl:
(I've been waiting for an opportunity to use that gif!)
bubbaleenc
New member
There are really just a couple options to check if this is the case and fix the issue:
reduce speed (but what fun is that???)
edit... or increase speed
replace and/or upgrade rear shock absorbers
Good Luck!
reduce speed (but what fun is that???)
edit... or increase speed
replace and/or upgrade rear shock absorbers
Good Luck!
Last edited:
KidVermicious
New member
Hey folks! Noticing that my 4Runner feels really floaty in the rear, when hitting washboards on snow covered roads. The back end of the truck is all over the place, even when travelling lower speeds, like 40-50km's per hour...
That's what washboard does. Try airing down next time, even to a "high" number like 25 psi. Your shocks can't react to the washboard fast enough to keep the wheels planted, but they'll conform better with a little less air in them. Also change your speed - each washboard will smooth out a little at different speeds depending on the frequency of the bumps. Sometimes the answer is actually to speed up.
fightman80
New member
I'll try airing down.... slowing down is not really an option, as it already takes me 2 hrs to drive 110km's... :/
As for speeding up.... also not an option.... the road is crap, and if I end up in the twigs, I can be stuck there for hours.... as there is little to no traffic out there....
As far as shocks go.... I'm running some Skyjacker shocks in the back right now... anyone got any recommendations on another brand for my LC 8 wraps??
As for speeding up.... also not an option.... the road is crap, and if I end up in the twigs, I can be stuck there for hours.... as there is little to no traffic out there....
As far as shocks go.... I'm running some Skyjacker shocks in the back right now... anyone got any recommendations on another brand for my LC 8 wraps??
crazydubman
New member
Skyjacker shocks from my experiene are crap for most offroad scenarios where speed is involved. They are just too stiff to be able to absorb any amount of the constant demand of a washed out road. To keep the price reasonable for you, take a look at some bilstein 5100's. They will be MUCH softer and allow the suspension to "float" over the washboard easier.
TheeMikeB
New member
I'm running the Tokico Trekmaster on mine with the LC coils. No issues here.
wc11
New member
This happened to me last year.
It was hard as heck to explain.
When you let off the accelerator, the truck felt like it "floated" and wiggled a bit left & right.
Ended up being the rear stabilizer bars.
But unfortunately, I did the fronts 1st thinking it was them.
So now I have 4 new stabilizer bars and it's smooth as silk.
It was hard as heck to explain.
When you let off the accelerator, the truck felt like it "floated" and wiggled a bit left & right.
Ended up being the rear stabilizer bars.
But unfortunately, I did the fronts 1st thinking it was them.
So now I have 4 new stabilizer bars and it's smooth as silk.
Hey Fightman80,
Thanks for posting this, I know this feeling too (even at ~40 kph).
The rear end floats/ drifts on the slightest washboard, even when off the accelerator.
It's one of my biggest concerns/ complaints about my '98 4Runner.
My previous '90 4Runner never had this feeling and it saw a lot of back roads.
I'll look into the suggestions by TheeMikeB, TCMach & wc11.... but I don't know much about suspensions so any detailed info would be much appreciated as I try to do as much as possible myself.
Thanks for posting this, I know this feeling too (even at ~40 kph).
The rear end floats/ drifts on the slightest washboard, even when off the accelerator.
It's one of my biggest concerns/ complaints about my '98 4Runner.
My previous '90 4Runner never had this feeling and it saw a lot of back roads.
I'll look into the suggestions by TheeMikeB, TCMach & wc11.... but I don't know much about suspensions so any detailed info would be much appreciated as I try to do as much as possible myself.