Tranforming vehicle for tighter handing

Stifler said:
higher spring rate coils and some 5100s will make it feel MUCH better.... but it is what it is at the end of the day.... a truck
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Exactly what I was thinking! I recently installed 5100s all around and slightly stiffer front and rear coils (OME 883 front & SAW rear), and the handling is noticeably better through the curves at highway speeds. I was surprised that I can tell a difference on top of the KDSS.

I cannot comment on the actual stability since it ends up lifting it a bit, so I'm not sure what it realistically does on paper due to the higher center of gravity. However, judging based on my butt dyno alone it sure feels better :)
 
Has anyone used the Contenintal CrossContact LX20 They are not offroad tires but I think they have much stiff sidewalls and are supposed to be more of a highway performance tire.

I'm thinking that I need new shock but that it might best to tune handling with tires after doing shocks first. It works that way with track, race and highperformance sports cars so it should be the same with 4Runner.
 
ron in sc said:
My 1999 ML 320 is built on a real frame. Only thing I did to it suspension wise was to put Bilsteins on the front. If I could get my 2012 4Runner to handle like ML I'd be quite happy.

The newer ML do have unibody frame, they also cost, much, much more than 4Runner. Therefore I search for ways to improve handling. Looks like shocks first.

I was hoping someone had done this or there was a kit out there for purchase so I don't have to reinvent the wheel so to speak.
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If you go back to Benzo, you could try their new model: The In N Out 6x6 animal style---looks to have good cornering:

Mother of God! Mercedes-Benz Unleashes G63 AMG 6x6 on the World [Video] - Automotive News
 
ron in sc said:
Has anyone used the Contenintal CrossContact LX20 They are not offroad tires but I think they have much stiff sidewalls and are supposed to be more of a highway performance tire........
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I've had those Conti's for over a year and 10k miles. I bought them for the reasons you stated, plus they were top-rated by CR. I did not want anything MT or AT - rated, plus I have winter wheels/tires. I'm a pretty sedate driver, and they have performed fine, worn well, zero issues, no regrets.

View attachment CR SUV tire survey.pdf

View attachment toptires.pdf
 

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Maybe it will help a little bit if i share my personal experience. when i was much younger i always liked trucks so all my vehicles had always been trucks. the problem is i was not 'aware enough' that my driving style was not suited to trucks because i like to drive very fast and aggressive. consequently, i had so many accidents when i was younger -luckily i never had an injury. In hindsight, I should have purchased sports cars as they simply have better cornering and shorter braking distance. now that I'm older, I can will myself to slow-down so the 4runner came into my life at just the right time as my first 'luxury' truck that i will baby. hope that helps a bit.

ron in sc said:
The vehicle seems to wander a bit. I think that got through in my original post. More so than any other vehicle I own. Maybe my driving style is not compatable with the 4Runner. There is nothing wrong with the steering it just seems to take more attention to keep it going on it's intended path on narrow two lane roads.
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pacho said:
Maybe it will help a little bit if i share my personal experience. when i was much younger i always liked trucks so all my vehicles had always been trucks. the problem is i was not 'aware enough' that my driving style was not suited to trucks because i like to drive very fast and aggressive. consequently, i had so many accidents when i was younger -luckily i never had an injury.
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I think thats just how everyone drives from California.
 
ron in sc said:
The vehicle seems to wander a bit. I think that got through in my original post. More so than any other vehicle I own. Maybe my driving style is not compatable with the 4Runner. There is nothing wrong with the steering it just seems to take more attention to keep it going on it's intended path on narrow two lane roads.
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I have noticed this before on multiple occasions. Eventually you just get used to it. This also has a lot to do with the alignment.
 
ron in sc said:
Has anyone used the Contenintal CrossContact LX20 They are not offroad tires but I think they have much stiff sidewalls and are supposed to be more of a highway performance tire.

I'm thinking that I need new shock but that it might best to tune handling with tires after doing shocks first. It works that way with track, race and highperformance sports cars so it should be the same with 4Runner.
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I've had those on my Gen4 for a while now. It's a 4x2 Sport with the 17" wheels and 100% city/highway driving. They have been great tires on the road. I run the air pressure on the high side @ 40 lbs to improve both mileage and tighten up the steering. i haven't really felt any compromise in handling.

My Gen5 has the factory Yokohama Geolanders on the 20" Limited wheels. It's full-time 4x4 though. The handling is so different I can't even compare the two tires. I will say that the 4x4 has a much stiffer overall suspension and the butt-dyno tells me there's less body roll in the longer, sweeping corners (e.g. highway interchange). Like the Gen4, I upped the air pressure to 40 psi which made a huge improvement in on-road handling.

Hope that helps...
 
Antman said:
Get the 5100's and if you need more you can get some poly bushings for the sway bars. I'm not sure if anyone makes thicker/stiffer sway bars but that would make a huge difference as well.

5100's change the ride completely by themselves but the lean in corners will still be there.
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/thread
 
Mine wanders too. On my next alignment, I'm going to try and get as much positive caster as possible. I have read that it should help with wandering.
 
I have a LTD with xreas and BFG's (stiff sidewall), all things considered it handles well, and feels quite tight, although I can say from experience its no 911
To best improve handling you need to stiffen the rear swaybar, reduce the tire sidewall, lower the vehicle, firm up the springs, but somehow I don't think you want to go that extreme.
I'd start with the wheel tire combinations you'd be surprised by the difference it will make. Actually first step would be experimenting with different tire pressures.
 
Jeremy556 said:
I have a TE with KDSS (big sway bars) and Icon springs and shocks (WAY stiffer than stock). It still handles and rides like a truck, better in many ways, but you will NEVER mistake it for a German sports sedan, or even a Japanese sedan for that matter.
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Does this mean that the Trail Edition has larger sway bars than an SR5? If so, is it possible to install this (potentially) stiffer sway bar into a 4R that is not equipped with KDSS?

Can you put a TE sway bar on a SR5?
 
Soundofmind said:
1. Does this mean that the Trail Edition has larger sway bars than an SR5?
2. If so, is it possible to install this (potentially) stiffer sway bar into a 4R that is not equipped with KDSS?
3.Can you put a TE sway bar on a SR5?
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1. KDSS is an option on TE. A TE without KDSS is the same as SR5
2. No
3. Not a KDSS swaybar. Non-KDSS uses the same swaybar as SR5

KDSS uses larger swaybars, but the way they connect to the frame and suspension is completely different. There are also electronic and hydraulic systems that control it.
 
Jeremy556 said:
1. KDSS is an option on TE. A TE without KDSS is the same as SR5
2. No
3. Not a KDSS swaybar. Non-KDSS uses the same swaybar as SR5

KDSS uses larger swaybars, but the way they connect to the frame and suspension is completely different. There are also electronic and hydraulic systems that control it.
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Thanks for the info. This is what I was looking for. I know the KDSS is more than just a sway bar. I was just wondering if the larger sway bar could be mounted to an SR5. Apparently not.

I guess we'll just wait until Addco comes out with something for the 5th gen.
 
Part numbers for Bilstein shocks for my 2012 SR5 4Runner? I think they are the 5100's be I like to order by manuf. part number.

I found them by searching previously but now I can not find them. Could someone help me out? In terms of added weight to the front end I put in a large and quite heavy Oddessy battery. I also have a 35lbs. Curt Front hitch mounted.

I've decided for now not to replace the new tires that came with vehicle even though they are crap.
 
Whiplash Willy said:
Addco makes swaybars for 4runners, and I read somewhere that they were working on ones for 5th gens, but I would have thought they would be out by now. It may be worth looking into if suspension upgrades and better tires doesn't help.
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On December 10th, 2012 Addco told me in an email "The rear sway bar for the 5th Gen is ready and the front bar will be ready in 2-3 weeks."

That was a year ago, and since then I have emailed them two more times seeking updates. Addco has not answered my enquiries to date.
 
I always felt the "wandering" on the highway. It's exactly how you described it - it's takes more concentration to keep it going straight.

It all went away when I purchased new tires and got alignment.

I don't think you need to replace anything suspension wise to fix this issue, just better tires. I too couldn't justify buying new tires when the crappy stock tires had good tread on them. They lasted me 52k miles, and finally I replaced them. Feels like a better vehicle now on highway
 
You might want look for some used FJ springs as well. I believe they're slightly stiffer than the SR5s. And maybe add some wheel spacers. As others have said, the 5100's and alignment with +4 caster will help a lot.
 
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