Wind affecting driving

[the_welfare_wagon]

So I live in an area that gets high winds occasionally, like today its gusting 40+

My issue is that during this time on the highway the truck HATES it. I have to constantly correct to keep in my lane and will get blown halfway across my lane if a wind gust is strong enough. Does anyone else experience this? I'm not lifted a big amount, 99 talls up front with stock height 5100s and 890s in the back with FJZ80 shocks and extended links. Reason I say this is because its extremely annoying to keep correcting the cars path and other big vehicles on the same road as me like suburbans, trucks, big rigs don't seem to be having the issues I do. I should also add that on normal calm days the truck drives absolutely fine and tracks straight.

Any input or are they normally just sailboats in the wind?

 

[Malcolm99]

It is a bit of a wind catcher. How was your alignment specs after the lift, if it's not set exactly to factory specs it will want to wonder. I'd also be checking rear body mounts(mine where toast), steering rack bushings, and every suspension bushing under the truck from Panhard to control arm bushings, The PCK and the Sonoran steel poly rear body mounts made the biggest difference for me at 200,000mi and 21 years on a 2.5-3" lift + 1" BL. Rides like it was never lifted now, mind you every suspension component and bushing on my truck has been changed in the last year.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

My little 02 S series Saturn is all over the place on windy days, and my 4Runner seems to be effected on days where temps are in the 20’s and the flags are strait from the wind speed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GG5thGen]

My stock 19 ORP is affected quite a bit by the wind. I think it's just the nature of the beast.

 

[spartacus]

Tracking straight while windy takes a little effort. Just have to get used to it.

 

[Devbot]

You're driving a giant rectangle with a tiny wheelbase. Does that sound aerodynamic and stable to you?

 

[3bears]

It is a bit of a wind catcher. How was your alignment specs after the lift, if it's not set exactly to factory specs it will want to wonder. I'd also be checking rear body mounts(mine where toast), steering rack bushings, and every suspension bushing under the truck from Panhard to control arm bushings, Eric's PCK and the Sonoran steel poly rear body mounts made the biggest difference for me at 200,000mi and 21 years on a 2.5-3" lift + 1" BL. Rides like it was never lifted now, mind you every suspension component and bushing on my truck has been changed in the last year.

got to agree with this.

 

[Devbot]

It is a bit of a wind catcher. How was your alignment specs after the lift, if it's not set exactly to factory specs it will want to wonder. I'd also be checking rear body mounts(mine where toast), steering rack bushings, and every suspension bushing under the truck from Panhard to control arm bushings, Eric's PCK and the Sonoran steel poly rear body mounts made the biggest difference for me at 200,000mi and 21 years on a 2.5-3" lift + 1" BL. Rides like it was never lifted now, mind you every suspension component and bushing on my truck has been changed in the last year.

To add to this, many people replace their UCAs with their lift and report back a much better driving experience. New LCA bushings apparently work wonders too but can be a b*tch to do

 

[Dragon_EX]

This thing is like a sail compared to other cars I've driven. I've driven mine in some particularly bad wind before and it's definitely scary.

 

[Kanoe]

Tires

Consider also the tires. I put a new set on a few years back and they were scarily unstable in winds and some road conditions. After a few months I insisted on a new set of Yokohama’s and problem is virtually gone. Got a pretty good deal on the swap out.

 

[nissanh]

You are not alone! My 4R is bit lifted and is crazy at 70+ MPH speeds. I need special attention to keep it straight. I have driven the 4R before the lift and had zero issues. My 2000 LandCruiser also got the same wheel base (length) but longer width compared to 4R and it is as smooth as can be in the cross wind. Once we change the suspension geometry of a vehicle, we should experience this problem.

You said you are using FJ80 rear shocks. Do you have it's part number? Can I please have it? I am also thinking to get those shock to my 4R.

 

[MAST4R]

Firmer suspension can do wonders for that.

The 200 series comes with an outstanding suspension and the 4R comes with a suspension that kinda works.

KDSS models handle great on stock springs and shocks but non-KDSS models can handle great with a stiff enough suspension.

And the latter is much better offroad anyway.

So far I have had, considering wind and cornering:

1/ Fully stock: awful in winds, corners
2/ 1" front Dobinsons springs and stock rest: much better
3/ 1" Dobs front and 1" Eibach rear on stock shocks: kinda between 1 and 2 but closer to 1 than to 2.
4/ 6112 on standard springs and Icon 2.0 with the Eibach 1" spring: SUPERB (but only okay offroad)
5/ 6112 on 650lb springs and Icon 2.0 etc: SUPERB (and very good offroad)
6/ temporarily: 6112 on 650lb and Eibach rear shocks, which are my spares, and the Eibach springs: not as good as with the Icon 2.0 in corners but I suppose good enough in high winds (not experienced).

 

[the_welfare_wagon]

You are not alone! My 4R is bit lifted and is crazy at 70+ MPH speeds. I need special attention to keep it straight. I have driven the 4R before the lift and had zero issues. My 2000 LandCruiser also got the same wheel base (length) but longer width compared to 4R and it is as smooth as can be in the cross wind. Once we change the suspension geometry of a vehicle, we should experience this problem.

You said you are using FJ80 rear shocks. Do you have it's part number? Can I please have it? I am also thinking to get those shock to my 4R.

I ordered from McGeorge Toyota for 45 a piece PN:48531-69417. Just be aware you will probably have issues with the driveshaft hitting the gas tank skid at full flex. Im going to cut the skid and see what happens but they allow for a crazy amount of travel. I saw at least 3-4 more inches of travel over my 0-2" 5100s. You will also need to extend bumpstops. Send me a PM and I can walk you through it if you'd like.

 

[Satter]

My 98 is like driving a refrigerator down the road. And when there’s wind I need both hands on the wheel. Even a light head wind has an effect on mpg.

 

[FD7683]

I don't think the 4Runners are designed to go over 70+MPH.