One month and 1500 miles later...
- Thread starter gdvan01
- Start date
Glad I had plans to fix all the originally described problems when I bought the 4runner. Couldn't imagine getting 1500 miles into a vehicle and not noticing such major things that should have been obvious in the test drive.
Yes - all things mentioned suck. They've been beaten to death 1000x on this forum, as well as solutions to fix them. A 30 second google search could give hours of reading on how to address these problems. My 4runner handles bounds better than stock.
Yes - all things mentioned suck. They've been beaten to death 1000x on this forum, as well as solutions to fix them. A 30 second google search could give hours of reading on how to address these problems. My 4runner handles bounds better than stock.
Well I guess I am one of the few that knew what he was buying...a high center of gravity suv with suspension designed to be comfortable on road and compliant off road. After ditching the stock tires for c rated BFG KO2's, I am just fine with the ride. Oh no I have to slow down a little for the corners in my, not a sports car, suv. Oh no my front end goes down when I hit the brakes on my high center of gravity suv. I guess I just don't think these things are that big a deal. :rain:
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b407driver
New member
Doubt it. I settled on 39 driving around town empty, though I still (intentionally) have about 1/2" of non-contact on the outer shoulder (on perfectly flat surface). I may go down to 38 if I see a difference in wear (currently at 5.5k miles).
b407driver
New member
I don't (much).
Mine doesn't.
Then again, I paid that 'Premium' to prevent such behavior. I could not believe the brake dive on the SR5s while test driving, it really is impressive. When you couple the touchy brakes (until you get used to them), it makes for some marginal test drive characteristics.
ColoradoToyota
New member
I don't (much).
Mine doesn't.
Then again, I paid that 'Premium' to prevent such behavior. I could not believe the brake dive on the SR5s while test driving, it really is impressive. When you couple the touchy brakes (until you get used to them), it makes for some marginal test drive characteristics.
Man, you ain't kidding.
My first 4Runner test drive was a sr5 Premium and drove very well. Then I test drove a TRD Offroad and it was very touchy on the brakes and did the nose dive very noticeably, even at parking lot speeds. Both were 2017s.
FWIW, the sr5 Premium didn't have any steering wheel vibration at 60, but the Offroad version did.
Grug556
New member
I test drove mine after it arrived and was unloaded off the trailer. At the time there weren't many limiteds to even try out on lots. I wasn't expecting great handling and just have been taking my time getting use to driving a wallowing pigboat... but then again that's sort of why I bought it. If I wanted crisp handling and great power I would've bought something totally different...
The bus is nice...appreciate it for what it isn't. Likely this will be one of the last body of frame suvs made like this so enjoy it while it lasts.
The bus is nice...appreciate it for what it isn't. Likely this will be one of the last body of frame suvs made like this so enjoy it while it lasts.
Blitzkrieg
New member
Sell your 4Runner and wait a month.
You'll realize how much you loved it. ;-)
You'll realize how much you loved it. ;-)
Exactly! I sold my 3rd gen, got a 5th gen, and realized how truly perfect that 3rd gen really was! The 5th gen definitely has better brakes, and rear side curtain air bags, but I think those are the only improvements.
I should have just swapped out that third member when it finally rusted through... Probably cost about the same as the 5100s I just put in the 5th gen, which still doesn't handle as well as the 3rd gen on it's original shocks.
But something from this thread maybe finally clicked with me. I always thought of springs as carrying the weight of a vehicle, and shocks controlling the movement - but that's probably way too simplistic. The shocks & springs have to work together dynamically.
Maybe the 5th gen is just way under-sprung in an effort to give the mushiest cadillac ride possible? No shocks will be 100% effective in that situation - you'll still get wonky undulation on the highway, more nose dive, and more body roll than many would prefer. I bet if I find some stiffer front springs in the stock height it would resolve my complaints. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Blitzkrieg
New member
I don't as I did not modify my 2015 TE at all except for TRD wheels and powder coating the roof rack rails black (see my photo gallery for before and after).
Mine did have KDSS and to be honest I loved the way it handled (KDSS does make a difference).
I just kept in mind I was driving a heavy SUV and not a sports car.
That being said, I don't know if you are an aggressive driver (not implying you are) but I never really noticed excessive nose dive in mine. Maybe a little more than my 3rd gen, but the 5th gen is quit a bit heavier than the 3rd gen and you know physics is involved where weight transfer happens.
TacoRunn0517
New member
Yea, I test drove a 2015 SR5 before I got my 2016 TE. I was definitely surprised on the body roll and touchy brakes/nose dive haha. KDSS seems like it would make a difference for DD. And given that I've put 10.5K miles on the Runner in less than 4 months of ownership, I'm sure I would have enjoyed it. I can see why people change up the suspension/brakes. For me though, I just see the stock setup as the Runner displaying its character with every turn of the key haha...
gdvan01
New member
Yeppers, the P's have definitely got to go.
