Tranforming vehicle for tighter handing

[NuclearN8]

swaybars: I know addco makes them for 4th gens, not sure about 5th gens.
In terms of oem sway bar sizes, if I had to bet, I'd bet the 5th gen's have different size sway bars from the factory (I know the 4th gen's do). I have two 4th gens and the sport (with xreas has 30/21 mm bars front and rear) and the limited (no xreas has 30/19mm bars front and rear).... easiest way is to go to a dealer, crawl underneath different models, take an adjustable wrench and measure them. I'd be surprised if the rears on all the models are the same.

poly sway bar bushings. I cannot emphasize what a difference these will make in handling. The oem rubber ones, even brand new are garbage for direct feedback handling. pick up some greasable prothane or energy ones from summitt racing. it'll be the best $35 you ever spent for your runner besides half a tank of gas to explore some trails.

bottom line, don't expect a 4runner to handle like a unibody car, as others have said, it's a body on frame truck....

 

[ron in sc]

Increased air pressure in all four tires to 42psi from 32psi. This has made a huge improvement in the "wandering problem". I've driven the narrow two lane round a total of 150 miles and it's not my imagination. Higher air pressure has definitely helped a lot.

When I get the 5100's I think it will handle a little better and will get rid of the front nose dive, which was also reduced some by higher air pressure.

I think different bushing discussed will make a big difference.

Like I said already I don't expect it to have the grip I get with the Porsche I just want the 4Runner to be safe to drive and frankly I would not be surprised if people have already filed complaints with the NTSB contending the 4Runner 5th gen is unsafe due to very poor handling.

People on this forum know how to fix the handling problems but many many others out there have no clue.

 

[NuclearN8]

can't hurt to get a set of these to slap on when you do the rear poly sway bar bushings...
Energy Suspension 9-8105R Energy Suspension Sway Bar End Links - Free Shipping on All Orders @ JEGS

a G instead of the R at the end will get you the same thing in black... again. money well spent

 

[philsey]

..... When I get the 5100's I think it will handle a little better and will reduce the front nose dive, .....

Fixed.

 

[pacho]

with a +4 caster, and/or Bilstein shocks on a stock SR5, will a 265 stock-sized tire rub when the SR5 4runner is on trails, potholes or extreme turning???
or how about the 275/70/17 - will it rub with +4 caster and/or Bilsteins ??
I have not encountered the wandering issue maybe perhaps because my alignment is ok(?) dunno, but then I dont drive fast anymore.
the only handling issue Ive encountered so far is when making a turn on a downhill wherein I really have to slow down, but then any vehicle would have to slowdown anyway as turning on a downhill is dangerous at high speeds.
in mountain roads I just pull to the side if someone is tail-gating me, I'm not risking my land barge on those mountainous twists and turns
Nose dive is also more pronounced when braking on a downhill stop for obvious reasons.
the sr5 steering wheel is too smooth(slightly slippery) so i will need to add a steering wheel cover for more grip.

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.

 

[Stifler]

can't hurt to get a set of these to slap on when you do the rear poly sway bar bushings...
Energy Suspension 9-8105R Energy Suspension Sway Bar End Links - Free Shipping on All Orders @ JEGS

a G instead of the R at the end will get you the same thing in black... again. money well spent

I dont see where that application fits gen5 4Rs. Looking at their site I dont see anything past Gen4. Are you running them?

 

[jam46283]

Might be cheaper to just upgrade to a trail with KDSS depending on your area

 

[Stifler]

Might be cheaper to just upgrade to a trail with KDSS depending on your area

how is buying a new vehicle cheaper? I am baffled by your response...:shrug:

 

[jam46283]

how is buying a new vehicle cheaper? I am baffled by your response...:shrug:

Uhh I didn't see where I typed "new". Think you're baffling yourself

 

[Antman]

 

[Stifler]

Uhh I didn't see where I typed "new". Think you're baffling yourself

might be cheaper to upgrade to a TE with KDSS would imply purchasing a new (as in different than the current no necessarily unfarted in)vehicle unless you have successfully added KDSS to a non KDSS vehicle... New or used, purchasing a TE is not CHEAPER. Just reading the words you typed... must be Alabama logic

 

[pacho]

one reason I bought a 4runner is the wondering gaze that ladies gave to the most interesting owners of 4runners.
BTW, the most interesting man in the world lives in Vermont:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLhspswZLKk

View attachment 104673

 

[DannyLlama]

View attachment 104673

LOL this is hilarious :high5:

 

[jam46283]

might be cheaper to upgrade to a TE with KDSS would imply purchasing a new (as in different than the current no necessarily unfarted in)vehicle unless you have successfully added KDSS to a non KDSS vehicle... New or used, purchasing a TE is not CHEAPER. Just reading the words you typed... must be Alabama logic

That would be ASSuming not implying. Depending on your area, it might be cheaper to trade to a higher mileage(sorry I assumed with your *insert state* mind you would understand how to compare costs) trail with kdss. Didn't know it was your thread but hopefully that will clarify

 

[Yotta]

I wonder if Toyota changed something in 2014 or I just had low expectations

In my '14 SR5 I find the body lean in the corners to be totally fine. It is surely not a Porsche, but I wasn't buying a Porsche. The body lean that happens looks normal and appropriate to me -- and when it feels worrying it's a useful reminder that I'm driving a high-clearance truck with its center of mass far above the road surface.

Same thing with the nose dive. I try not to make panic stops in general and in the situations where I have to stomp the brake I generally have much more to worry about other than how level is the truck at the moment.

 

[Stifler]

That would be ASSuming not implying. Depending on your area, it might be cheaper to trade to a higher mileage(sorry I assumed with your *insert state* mind you would understand how to compare costs) trail with kdss. Didn't know it was your thread but hopefully that will clarify

show me a new or used gen5 with KDSS (not a salvage) that is "CHEAPER" than a suspension kit, tires and hell lets throw wheels in there too.... and I will buy one for the both of us. The only ASSumption here is you dont know what the fuk you are talking about:boxer:

 

[Bourbonator]

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.

I switched from a '98 ml320 to a '12 limited, and I also noticed the wander. It's worst at highway speed, and I've read that it's due to the skinny tires and narrow stance.

 

[NuclearN8]

I dont see where that application fits gen5 4Rs. Looking at their site I dont see anything past Gen4. Are you running them?

so long the 5th gen end link bolts are 3/8" they'll work (not sure if they are, I own 4th gen, just trying to help here...). It's a universal kit.

IF your endlinks are 3/8" then the ones you've copied will work as well, just will need to modify the bottoms... maybe like this.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...sh-extended-rear-sway-bar-links-write-up.html

sway bar end links are sway bar end links... 4th gen 5th gen doesn't matter really.

good luck:cheers:

 

[jam46283]

show me a new or used gen5 with KDSS (not a salvage) that is "CHEAPER" than a suspension kit, tires and hell lets throw wheels in there too.... and I will buy one for the both of us. The only ASSumption here is you dont know what the fuk you are talking about:boxer:

If you would have read before ranting, you'd have seen the word "trade".:hippie:

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Immediately after I bought my 4Runner, my first thought was "this needs to handle better" After 5 seconds of problem solving my conclusion was "Dammit, talking my GF into getting an M3 on top of this is gonna be a hard sell"