normal vibration?

[T4Running4Fun]

Well, I finally found it! A 99 white limited with 155k, clean! and brand new toyo a/t open country tires. I took it into toyota for a pre purchase inspection and found a few things...took the report back to the honda dealership that was selling the car and got a great deal. They didnt realize it had as much going on as it did so they sold it to me for what they had into it - 8330. Originally they had it listed at 12600. Since I have been looking for a while and this was exactly the car I wanted, I decided it was worth it to get it and fix the issues.
So the issues its got...
leaking valve cover gasket
leaking power steering rack
dont know if the 90k timing belt/water pump was done so should probably do that
possible leaking rear main seal
possibe leaking oil pan gasket

I'm going to eat it and have it done at Toyota. I know I could have a small shop do it for less, but I've got a thing about having work done at the dealership...

But the question I've got has to do with vibration when driving, especially at higher speeds - like above 40mph and when accelerating. This is on a smooth straight road too. Now I've been driving a little honda civic, so I'm not used to the feel of a 4runner. So is this kind of thing normal, due to the tires or just how it handles or something? Any thoughts? It just seems kind of bumpy and like there is a lot of vibration.

 

[jpofsc]

Since your tires are new, make sure they are balanced. When I bought a '98 last year, I replaced tires and shocks (Bilstiens) and the excessive bounce/vibration was gone. It is still bouncy compared to a Honda, but trucks are like that. The bounce should not get worse with speed though; that would concern me.

 

[T4Running4Fun]

Since your tires are new, make sure they are balanced. When I bought a '98 last year, I replaced tires and shocks (Bilstiens) and the excessive bounce/vibration was gone. It is still bouncy compared to a Honda, but trucks are like that. The bounce should not get worse with speed though; that would concern me.

Thanks for the thoughts on it. I will look into making sure the tires are balanced. I was wondering if the shocks might play into it also. How much did shocks cost you?

I'm figuring its just me not being used to the handling of a bigger vehicle compared to the little honda. But I just wanted to see if it sounded like something to anyone with more of a feel for it.

 

[jpofsc]

I think the shocks were about $250 and I paid Midas to do the install. The bolts were too difficult to remove and I'm not one to spend several hours to save a few bucks. Huge difference in the ride. I was previously driving a Honda Accord so the change was dramatic but I've owned an '89 4Runner and it was only comfortable to the driver as reported by my family!

 

[sonicstimuli]

Did you check the U Joint

I just recently bought a 96 4Runner and I've been fighting vibration problems since I bought it.
First stop: Balance the Wheels and Tires
Well the tires had some weird spots and were crap, so I replaced with new Michelin's.
Then the wheels were too bent to get a good balance.
Ok, new rims for the new tires.
I've got new Bilstein shocks (I work at ThyssenKrupp who owns Bilstein, so I get 'em at cost-BONUS!) but I've yet to put them on.
Here's what I'm curious about on yours:
I started noticing a growling at highway speeds. It got worse and worse. Everything was balanced, but the truck was vibrating like mad, however it stayed true on the road because it was aligned and the wheels were balanaced. The growling noise stopped when my foot came off the gas, regardless of speed. I went underneath and started shaking things and found a ton of play in the rear universal joint, the one that connects the driveshaft to the rear differential. It was a $17 part, and once replaced it fixed everything. Check it out.

 

[T4Running4Fun]

thanks for the advice and words from experience. I'm going to get the tires balanced. Past that I dont know how much more I'm going to think about it for now, as I've uncovered some other bigger issues with the thing (see post - what would you do?) But should I decide to stick with it for a while or end up with another one that has a similar issue I will keep things in mind.
Thanks