Is there a way to improve 5th gens "feel" of the road?
- Thread starter rob_dixon
- Start date
SpeedyKevin
New member
Hmm have you tried increasing caster? After I got my lift I did notice a lot of...swaying on the highway. Installed aftermarket UCAs and didn't really notice a difference at first but it all clicked (in my head) after one off road trip. Then started noticing the improvement on the highway.
I have a 2015 4Runner with KDSS. I have the steering wheel vibration at 60mph and at around that speed the SUV will pull left on the left side of the road and right on the right side of the road. I have another vehicle that does not do this on the same roads. New tires, just aligned.
Will a 4.0 caster solve this the front end wandering at least? Read through the thread but was not sure.
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I wish I had the same experience.
I've owned several 4x4 trucks from 1967 on. From IH Scouts to 3/4 ton Ford, Chevy and IH pickups and they all tracked better than my present 21 4Runner.
My wife has a 24 year old Suburban with close to 200,000 mi on it and it also tracks better especially in the wind.
After reading posts on this forum I went ahead and had the caster set to 4 camber 0.
There was definite improvement but I still feel like I'm driving a piece of farm equipment. (Slight overstatement).
I bought the 4Runner new and it's stock.
The truck is mostly for on road use with an occasional trip across a pasture.
Since I don't need flotation, I was wondering if a narrower/ higher profile tire might improve things. Like 235/75/17 maybe? Thoughts?
Would it be practical to install a KDSS upgrade to my 2021 SR5, or is this a "cheeper to buy a new 4Runner with KDSS" situation?
I did a little reading about KDSS and it looks like a big upgrade with lots of parts/ labor.
baldrik78
New member
KDSS is not something you are going to be able to add to a 4Runner.
With the high resale values these 4Runner’s have, I’d definitely sell yours and buy a new 2024. In addition to the KDSS option, you would be getting what is likely the last year of the current model. If you upgrade from SR5 to Off Road Premium you’ll also get Softex seating, LED lighting, and heated seats & steering wheel.
If you’ve done mods to your 2021, it’s likely most would be compatible with the 2024.
Thank you all for the advice but it appears that buying a new KDSS equipped model would cost me around $15,000. That's a lot of money (for me) to spend just to get a truck that tracks better. I've owned a lot of 4x4 vehicles over the past 50+ yrs that didn't require a special suspension to drive on paved roads.
Changing the caster adjustment helped a lot. Since I don't need the flotation provided by the factory tire size. I'm looking at going to a 235/80/17 tire.
That may help the chasing the cracks in the road feeling.
Too Stroked
Member
OP, I think you might want to differentiate between "steering feel" and "self-centering." I believe what you're looking for is more of the latter and that can be improved (somewhat) by an alignment with 3.5 - 4.0 degrees of caster. The "feel" is somewhat baked into the steering system components and is much more expensive to alter.
The factory size is considered a flotation size? I don't think so.
What size tire provides flotation?
The present size tire does provide more "flotation" than the 225/75/R15 that Toyota used to put on 4Runners.
Everything is relative, it depends on use. You need more flotation on sand than you do on asphalt.
I'd say we have a difference of opinion based on our use and personal experience.
baldrik78
New member
A few things. 1) I don't find that a narrower tire helps with teh tracking feel. 2) If the truck isn't tracking well down the highway or you have cracks and uneven pavement pulling you a lot, you need more caster. 3) One thing you can change, relatively cheaply, to stiffen up the ride, is to use a digressively valves shock like the Bilstein 5100. These shocks provide more resistance on smaller bumps and less on larger bumps. This leads to less body roll in curves on the highway, at the cost of a slightly bumpier ride on dirt roads.
Agreed. I'm thinking that if one were to buy a flotation tire for a 4Runner application, the stock size would not be what they'd choose.
trainman605
New member
All can say is after driving Jeep Wranglers and Unlimites over the years my new 2024 is so superior driving, it's like floating on air. If you don't like the way the new 4 Runner drives, you best stick with 2 WD models. 
Why, does a 2wd 4Runner drive better?
I don't need to float on air, I'm just trying to improve a truck that is a pretty good fit for me other than it's hwy handling.
Changing the caster setting helped a lot, I'm just looking to see if there is another simple fix.
I suspect that the majority of 4Runners never see off road use, but their owners have other reasons to own a 4wd. I used it yesterday to back a trailer up a gravel driveway which I could not have done with a 2wd.
Everyone has different needs. I buy what works for me and what I can afford. A new Suburban may have been a better fit but the $20,000 difference in price was not.
If someone feels the need to modify the suspension or up their tire size do you recommend they buy a Humvee?
I don't need to float on air, I'm just trying to improve a truck that is a pretty good fit for me other than it's hwy handling.
Changing the caster setting helped a lot, I'm just looking to see if there is another simple fix.
I suspect that the majority of 4Runners never see off road use, but their owners have other reasons to own a 4wd. I used it yesterday to back a trailer up a gravel driveway which I could not have done with a 2wd.
Everyone has different needs. I buy what works for me and what I can afford. A new Suburban may have been a better fit but the $20,000 difference in price was not.
If someone feels the need to modify the suspension or up their tire size do you recommend they buy a Humvee?
All can say is after driving Jeep Wranglers and Unlimites over the years my new 2024 is so superior driving, it's like floating on air. If you don't like the way the new 4 Runner drives, you best stick with 2 WD models.
Well....I wouldn't describe it as floating on air but the driving experience is immensely better with the 4Runner than with a solid-axle Jeep. Still have my Rubicon but it is now relegated to Search and Rescue duties where the terrain is really difficult.
CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
Sounds like you need to take a driving school refresher, or buy a car with lane change correction sensors. Seriously, you are a danger to the rest of the drivers on the road.
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