Has anyone else notice our 4runners drive unusually well?

[93cr250]

I've noticed the steering, ride and handling is better than any truck based vehicle I've ever driven and I'm really impressed. It doesn't drive like a truck at all our wander on the highway like most gm trucks. The steering is better than 90 percent of the vehicles from the era I've driven. Just some things I've noticed after 4 months with my 99 limited.

 

[yota-runner]

that's a 3rd gen for you

 

[downpour11]

Sweet

 

[PitbullRescuer]

They ride well for what they are. But in all honesty, my GMC Yukon was a much better ride and driver. More power, more comfortable, more planted, more confidence inspiring than any of my 3rd Gens. But overall, I think the 3rd Gens will far out last the GM's.

 

[BrianSD_42]

mine steers and rides great .... now that I have replaced my complete suspension, LBJs, and steering rack.

 

[Skidmarcx]

I'm pleased with the way mine rides... Has a little bump steer, but doesn't wander like a lifted Chevy

 

[4Running Daily]

Mine rides decently for having the original steering rack, tie rods, lbjs, and ubjs. New soft suspension helps, but my creaking rear end is very annoying.

 

[white_n_slow]

Meh, mine has pretty bad bump steer and wanders a fair amount on the highway (alignment shop couldn't fix caster). Handling is a little loose compared to a stock 1st gen, but the ride quality is miles beyond.

Frankly, aside from the power aspect, I got more pleasure from driving my FJ60 and mini-truck. Something about solid axles and leaf springs to remind you that you're driving a truck.

 

[THatfield]

I've driven Tahoe's, Yukon XL's (with AutoRide), Isuzu Rodeo's, A unibody Pathfinder (03) and a unibody Acura SUV.

4Runner feels the most nimble. The Yukon XL with the AutoRide was like a lincoln town car SUV. Unibody Pathfinder was unimpressive.

 

[93cr250]

They ride well for what they are. But in all honesty, my GMC Yukon was a much better ride and driver. More power, more comfortable, more planted, more confidence inspiring than any of my 3rd Gens. But overall, I think the 3rd Gens will far out last the GM's.

The ride is defiantly better on a larger gm truck but I just don't like how they drive like boats. The better handling is worth the slightly worse ride to me.

 

[Greg_Canada]

Meh, mine has pretty bad bump steer and wanders a fair amount on the highway (alignment shop couldn't fix caster). Handling is a little loose compared to a stock 1st gen, but the ride quality is miles beyond.

Frankly, aside from the power aspect, I got more pleasure from driving my FJ60 and mini-truck. Something about solid axles and leaf springs to remind you that you're driving a truck.

I find the 3rd gen (with poly steering rack, sway bar and bumpstop bushings) to handle very well for a SUV. I would never dare take my dads Envoy around corners at the same speeds i take my 4runner... it feels like it will roll. However the ride is stiffer and does not soak up the bumps as smoothly. It also lacks heavily in the power department. The rear end kicks a bit over big high speed bumps....
I'm sure if i put the money into coilovers and a blower, i'd be perfectly happy with it, but there is just too much rust on it to consider all those upgrades and i will just drive it until i can afford a newer non rusty truck.

Comparing it to my 89'... it feels way more precise... though i have not ridden in the 89' with the fully rebuilt suspension yet...

 

[Runner4liife]

Mine rides like crap at the moment. haha original suspension, rear shocks are blown, saggy rear, bump stops literally an inch from my axle! TREs need replaced and my steering boots are leakin, need to replace all my bushings. and wanders when I break. butttt it rides nice on the highway surprisingly. so much to fix!
college budget. :toilet:

 

[shinyblackdeer]

Ours is still in the pre-alignment stage after replacing most of the suspension and steering rack and waiting on parts to replace the LBJs/UBJs, but when I do drive it, it's such a joy!

 

[4yotaguy]

I'm still not used to the 4Runner and how it drives as I have only put about 500 miles on mine since I got it a few months back. I work for BMW so to me the T4R is an extreme change. Its almost scary in some ways, when I think I am speeding, or going much faster than I should be, I look down to see I'm doing a slow 35 or so. I think its a relativity thing. I am also not sure about my suspension, specifically the rear as I think the shocks are completely shot.

That said, I do like how it drives. Its predictable, and very comfortable, almost "Lexus"like in the feel and ride, plus most important, it feels like it will ride well forever and that's why I love it. Nothing is falling apart on it and mine is 13 years old. My 3 Series is 2 and has crap falling off of it, plus the feeling and sense that after only a few years, it is not driving nearly as well as it was when new.

I am (hopefully) going to meet up with some T4R members in CT and look forward to driving in their rides so I can see how "off" and decent mine is. I also look forward to using it as a daily driver once my lease is over to save some loot on car payments and the damned run-flat tires!

 

[Shibby!]

Meh, mine has pretty bad bump steer and wanders a fair amount on the highway (alignment shop couldn't fix caster). Handling is a little loose compared to a stock 1st gen, but the ride quality is miles beyond.

I'm there too.

A bit of bump steer, but likes to wander around on ruts and uneven pavement.

It's a wheel alignment issue, not the truck itself.

Castor couldn't be set perfect (its at 0 I think) because of lift.

 

[BlackCat914]

trust me, it drastically changes when you put load E light truck tires on it. :wof:

 

[93cr250]

Yeah I just put on new lbj's on and had a alignment too. I'm sure that helps a lot.

 

[JayRolla]

IFS makes our truck ride like a car, but for steering. Everything else I drove was a lot better. My 86 full size bronco had tighter steering and I have replaced everything with oem parts on my runner. New rack is still loose!

 

[tee-bone]

For a truck, I think these handle great.

They have a pretty simple suspension, with IFS being the only real "bell or whistle", yet they are very predictable and accommodating.

The ride is an excellent compromise between plush, planted, and capable of carrying weight.

My previous car, for example; if I'd put four adults in it would have immediately handled like a pig. In the 4runner, while the extra weight is noticeable, it is manageable.

They also seem to handle modification (different spring heights/rates, shock valving, tire size/weight, etc.) as well as any vehicle I've experienced.

I put this down to Toyota not speccing super cheap parts, especially when it comes to things that can't be easily replaced, and doing a very good job of learning from their previous vehicles. Of course, this is one reason why these were relatively expensive compared to the competition when new, especially in light of the feature list.

In the long run (14+ years for me) it has proven worth it.

 

[93cr250]

Compared to s10 blazers (worst handling vehicle I've ever driven) and Cherokee's these feel like sports cars lol