I've read most of the tire/nose dive threads but have not seen this addressed. Does the tire type affect how much the nose dive goes away? The stock tires are P rated tires. If I put different P rated tires am I just wasting my money? Does the difference between P rated and LT rated make a huge difference on nose dive?
Tire Type and Nose Dive
- Thread starter runnaz
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Simplified opinion on suspension. "Nose dive" is going to be mostly a function of spring rate, soft spring/soft ride. Stiffer spring harsher ride and less compression also less dive.
Shocks will effect rebound (How fast, how far, how quickly) the suspension comes back under control once the springs compress and want to "pogo" back.
Good shocks = control
Now tires, yes part of the suspension. Stiff sidewalls ("E" loads) will translate to harsher ride, less roll in corners, etc. "P metric up to a "C" will be softer in both ride as well as sidewall flex.
Will that have much effect on dive? Not really and certainly not enough to be considered a solution or grounds for tire selection (too many other more important factors in selecting a tire).
Again, IMO
Shocks will effect rebound (How fast, how far, how quickly) the suspension comes back under control once the springs compress and want to "pogo" back.
Good shocks = control
Now tires, yes part of the suspension. Stiff sidewalls ("E" loads) will translate to harsher ride, less roll in corners, etc. "P metric up to a "C" will be softer in both ride as well as sidewall flex.
Will that have much effect on dive? Not really and certainly not enough to be considered a solution or grounds for tire selection (too many other more important factors in selecting a tire).
Again, IMO
philsey
New member
If you've really "read most of the tire/nose dive threads", there isn't any more to learn.
Some of the LT-class tire users claim the stiffer sidewalls help.
I believe this is basically a spring-rate issue, exacerbated by soft shocks. I put on Bilsteins and reduced the dive by half. New P-rated tires @ 35# are also nice. Those with up-rated springs report the problem gone.
Some of the LT-class tire users claim the stiffer sidewalls help.
I believe this is basically a spring-rate issue, exacerbated by soft shocks. I put on Bilsteins and reduced the dive by half. New P-rated tires @ 35# are also nice. Those with up-rated springs report the problem gone.
I agree. I think the shock plays the most part. I had Eibach 620 lb/in rate springs with Bilsteins and the dive was much better than stock. I switched again to OME 887 (580 lb/in rate) with OME struts/shocks and the nose dive is pretty much completely gone. Oddly the OMEs ride smoother than the Bilsteins. They are both firm though, which is good in my opinion.
x a billion
scanny
Senior Member
In my experience difference is minimal. LT tires require higher pressure so ride is a little bit firmer, but not for much so LT tires don't eliminate nose dive.
But good tires makes big difference in traction so it's not complete waste of money : )
Tires
I have michelin LT tires on my 4RUNNER and on previous 4RUNNERS and I do not understand why they need more air pressure. My previous 4 RUNNER had over 70,000 miles on them and the tires were still in good shape when I sold the 4RUNNER. The ride was good, the tread wore evenly and I drove through all types of terrain in Northern California, Idaho, and Montana, and a little in Colorado. In the Sierra Nevada's I drove on some closed down forest service roads that had big holes in them that would cause a lot of 4X4's difficulty getting out of. Never had that problem with the 4RUNNER.
I have michelin LT tires on my 4RUNNER and on previous 4RUNNERS and I do not understand why they need more air pressure. My previous 4 RUNNER had over 70,000 miles on them and the tires were still in good shape when I sold the 4RUNNER. The ride was good, the tread wore evenly and I drove through all types of terrain in Northern California, Idaho, and Montana, and a little in Colorado. In the Sierra Nevada's I drove on some closed down forest service roads that had big holes in them that would cause a lot of 4X4's difficulty getting out of. Never had that problem with the 4RUNNER.
Ukie
New member
It's back to school season. See this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/110299-lt-tires-need-more-air-pressure.html
I have the tires listed below. I run them at 40 to 45lbs depending on load. IMHO, and this is only my opinion, yes they helped some re nose dive. To me, the nose dive was NOT a big issue with the OEM tires. (Im getting older, I brake sooner and more slowly I guess....) Everybody else who says shocks, springs will help more, spot on. Where my tires helped the most, again IMHO, was with body roll, over-steer/under-steer type movements.
The stiffer sidewalls made all the difference in the world when cornering. With the soft P rated side walls of the OEM tires, I really felt that at times, the tire was going to separate from the rim! I know, my imagination, but that is the way I was feeling the turns. Now, no problems.
Yes, there are much better "P" rated tires out there which I think depending on personal use, can do a better job then the OEM, but I simple prefer the stronger sidewalls of an LT tires for various things I use the vehicle for. Overkill, sure. But better overkill then ooopps.....be safe.
The stiffer sidewalls made all the difference in the world when cornering. With the soft P rated side walls of the OEM tires, I really felt that at times, the tire was going to separate from the rim! I know, my imagination, but that is the way I was feeling the turns. Now, no problems.
Yes, there are much better "P" rated tires out there which I think depending on personal use, can do a better job then the OEM, but I simple prefer the stronger sidewalls of an LT tires for various things I use the vehicle for. Overkill, sure. But better overkill then ooopps.....be safe.
