More highway stability please

[carlsenga]

People who expect a proper SUV to drive like a car...go buy a crossover!!!

It drives like a truck...handles like a truck...as it should.

I just bought my wife a 2010 T4R Limited, it has the Yokahoma geolanders on it, appears to be factory, we took it for a 300 mile round trip on the interstate and noticed what others are experiencing. I currently have a 2006 Toyota Tundra DC and have put nearly 100K miles on it, and they drive totally different....

With that being said I would have to agree with some of the previous posts of it is the soft sided tires that were issued to the vehicle. Be carefull on getting a tire with too much sidewall as you will sacrifice MPG.

Lastly I lover her new SUV... that right I said SUV... its not a truck... if it was it would say Tacoma, or Tundra on it.... just sayin...

 

[Jeremy556]

Get an alignment and have caster set as high as they can get it (preferably around 4 degrees). Higher caster gives a self centering affect to steering.

 

[NoDak]

well i dont expect much since my drive to work normally entails 10-15 mph winds with bad days being 20-25 and worst case 35 mph coming from the west or east.

and i drive north/south so i expect it to wander every day going to/from work.

no amount of extra nice parts is going to take that away with those winds.

heck even my late sporty legacy got pushed on bad days.


fun part one year, driving 5-10 mph on icy road, and watching the old 04 4runner getting pushed to the shoulder due to wind alone.

 

[gshadow325]

i think you 5th gen guys have tires that are too narrow. my cousins 5th gen limited came with IIRC 245 width 20" wheels, my 4th gen came with 265.

can it be your softer suspension causing stability issues?

 

[carlsenga]

i think you 5th gen guys have tires that are too narrow. my cousins 5th gen limited came with IIRC 245 width 20" wheels, my 4th gen came with 265.

can it be your softer suspension causing stability issues?

Yeah that is what my Gen5 has 245 tire on a 20" rim. I don't think it is suspension much with mine, if I had to bet a beer it is due to 2 things, the really soft tire put on from factory for a smooth quiet ride at the test drive... then like you mentioned it is only a 245 tire, I think the rim width is barely over 7".... but don't quote me just what I seen online.

 

[philsey]

Get an alignment and have caster set as high as they can get it (preferably around 4 degrees). Higher caster gives a self centering affect to steering.

^^ This.

I had the same poor handling with my SR5. Wandered about requiring constant attention, and highly susceptible to crosswinds. I also did not like the soft, springy ride.

I did 3 things: put on quality highway tires, installed HD shocks, and had an alignment with the caster set to +4 degrees. I believe the caster change responsible for alleviating the wander and crosswind sensitivity (although the latter will never totally go away driving a brick).

@OP it should be noted that +4* of caster is outside of 'normal' Toyota specs, but it is probably the single-most effective (least expensive) change you can make.

I drove a '14 LE last week, and its driving dynamics are superb (for what it is).

 

[NuclearN8]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/155478-tranforming-vehicle-tighter-handing.html

same topic

 

[1engineer]

Get an alignment and have caster set as high as they can get it (preferably around 4 degrees). Higher caster gives a self centering affect to steering.

^^^^This. For $60 or so this will be the best thing you can do. Take it in to get it aligned and have them set the caster to max. It probably won't go to 4 but you should be able to get 3 easily with stock UCA's. Here is a little tidbit:
Positive Caster: The pivot points of the steering are angled such that a line drawn through them intersects the road surface slightly ahead of the contact patch of the tire on the pavement. The purpose of this is to provide a degree of self-centering for the steering — the wheel casters around so as to trail behind the axis of steering. This makes a car easier to drive and improves its directional stability (reducing its tendency to wander).

 

[gshadow325]

Yeah that is what my Gen5 has 245 tire on a 20" rim. I don't think it is suspension much with mine, if I had to bet a beer it is due to 2 things, the really soft tire put on from factory for a smooth quiet ride at the test drive... then like you mentioned it is only a 245 tire, I think the rim width is barely over 7".... but don't quote me just what I seen online.

i think it is a 7.5". i think you should be able to get 275's on them and be much happier!

for most people the 245's would be good soft plushy ride. we on the other hand want more!

 

[desch]

This was one of my motivations for buying the Limited over the SR5. The suspensions felt much more connected to the road without all the sway.

 

[1engineer]

i think it is a 7.5"...

I KNOW it's a 7" rim. Please refer to the link in my signature.

 

[gshadow325]

I KNOW it's a 7" rim. Please refer to the link in my signature.

wow really? thats some small suckers!!! no wonder you guys complain. plus the offset is kinda high.

 

[Jeremy556]

wow really? thats some small suckers!!! no wonder you guys complain. plus the offset is kinda high.

Fortunately, only the limited is afflicted with those wheels and tires.

 

[JayceeP]

In comparison to what? I bet if you go out and drive a Jeep Wrangler, XTerra, BOF Pathfinder etc you will have a different view. This is very subjective. For me, the LE handles just fine at highway speeds even at 130kph/80mph. My previous vehicle was a 4dr Jeep Wrangler so it's all relative. If it's windy the vehicle is obviously going to bounce around, just like any other. However, for the most part, I just cruise along and it's usually an effortless experience.

 

[isak0309]

Thanks for your response. Here in Peru, highways are veryvery windy and was the first time that i felt this. I have had Corollas, Golf and Grand Cherokee Laredo. I do not expect this performance for 2tn Truck. By the way,here, the highways are 1 road for each way, and you have to pass trucks along the way. When i did it, was very difficult return to my road. Definetly, i have to change tires. Whichsize do you recommend me (275, 285?) do yo recommend to change wheels for 18 (like LE) or another trim? i dont like or expect to change suspensions parts, only tires and/or trim if necessary.
Thanks again

 

[BobsTrail]

Like others, I think it's alignment, caster setting and tires. I spent a week in high winds with none of the problems mentioned. I have my tires at 34 psi.

The only time my TE feels like a POS is afer I drive my son's Cadillac CTS. Then it takes me a few days to like my T4R again.

 

[isak0309]

Thanks for you reaponse. Haven said that , what tire size do you recommed or are you using? Do you use camber +4 too? Thanks again

 

[Jeremy556]

Thanks for you reaponse. Haven said that , what tire size do you recommed or are you using? Do you use camber +4 too? Thanks again

Caster near 4 degree. Camber should be very close to 0.