Optimizing On-road Performance without XREAS

[flyfisher4822]

My '06 Sport 4wd V6 has 85K miles, is a daily driver, with occasional off-road trips into the Sierras for flyfishing. Accordingly, I am trying to optimize on-road performance.

In recent months I swapped the XREAS on for Bilstein 5100's (1.75 setting) and new FJ 4x4 coils. The ride improvement is DRAMATIC! Also added TRD Pro Wheels and Michelin LTX A/T2's 265/70/17. Thanks for all of your advice.

The only downside I notice with removing XREAS seems to be a little more leaning in the corners. Just ordered new sway bar end links and poly sway bar bushings for front and rear.

Considering an Addco sway bar (#2301), which is 22mm vs 19mm stock. Will 3mm really help much?

What other things can I do to optimize on-road handling performance?

 

[m85476585]

Stiffer and/or lower springs would help, and going down to the lowest setting on the shocks might help a bit.

Lower profile tires (on 18" rims), or stiffer tires like LT rated inflated to the proper pressure. Increasing tire pressure on the tires you have may help, but the ride might be a bit more harsh.

 

[NuclearN8]

My '06 Sport 4wd V6 has 85K miles, is a daily driver, with occasional off-road trips into the Sierras for flyfishing. Accordingly, I am trying to optimize on-road performance.

In recent months I swapped the XREAS on for Bilstein 5100's (1.75 setting) and new FJ 4x4 coils. The ride improvement is DRAMATIC! Also added TRD Pro Wheels and Michelin LTX A/T2's 265/70/17. Thanks for all of your advice.

The only downside I notice with removing XREAS seems to be a little more leaning in the corners. Just ordered new sway bar end links and poly sway bar bushings for front and rear.

Considering an Addco sway bar (#2301), which is 22mm vs 19mm stock. Will 3mm really help much?

What other things can I do to optimize on-road handling performance?

sounds like you have it covered. It's a BOF SUV after all....
you'll notice a big difference with the poly bushings and endlinks on road
[MENTION=15785]J.A.[/MENTION] might be able to attest to the addco sway bar improvement as I think he runs them on of his 99 4Runner...
Toyota 4Runner Handling Modifications Addco Sway Roll Bars

 

[flyfisher4822]

New to this, so all of your comments are helpful.

Thoughts about the Addco sway bar? Worth $150 to get a 3mm thicker bar? Or waste of money?

Addco 3rd Gen rear sway bars are larger (25mm) than their 4th Gen (22mm), so a different beast. Anyone out there with a 4th Gen Addco? Results?

 

[m85476585]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/45148-addco-sway-bar.html

Going to a different brand, it probably depends on the alloy and tubing wall thickness (assuming it's hollow) as much as the diameter.

 

[J.A.]

As mentioned above the 3rd Gen Addcos are a much larger increase over their stock counterpart so I don't know how comparable they would be. but I have been running them for 14 years now and they are indeed a great upgrade that I have enjoyed. Way flatter then factory thru the turns albeit with the usual tradeoffs. You can read more on my site.

 

[flyfisher4822]

As mentioned above the 3rd Gen Addcos are a much larger increase over their stock counterpart so I don't know how comparable they would be. but I have been running them for 14 years now and they are indeed a great upgrade that I have enjoyed. Way flatter then factory thru the turns albeit with the usual tradeoffs. You can read more on my site.

It was the informative write-up on your site where I got the idea. Very well done and helpful. Thanks.