Your opinions, re: crap centre tracking

[westwind77]

When there is a little cross-wind, I can't take my mind off "driving" this truck or I could end up out of my lane. It seems to just float like a boat.

It is amazing how some people have this problems and others don't! One of the things I love about my 4R is how 'tight' it is. If I hold the wheel straight, well then, the 4R goes straight, no floating and no wandering. I don't do a lot of highway driving, most of mine is around town, so when I do hit the highway I actually enjoy it. Still I have to wonder why the differences with certain ones? I did not upgrade my tires like others. Personally I think it comes down to human interpretation. If you were driving a beat up 80's pick up this thing will drive like a dream, if you came from a tight little BMW sport coupe, well then, I have a feeling you would not be happy with it. I am curious for all the people who says it wanders, what was your previous ride? By no means am I saying you do not have a problem, there honestly could be one, but I am curious.

 

[4RBob]

I am one of those that think the handling sucks. I have a non-KDSS Trail. I switched to BFG AT's (stock size, load C) and it improved only slightly. It wanders and it leans bad when changing lanes.

My other vehicle is a 4th Gen 4Runner Sport which, with 175,000 miles, still and always has driven straight and can change lanes without any leaning issues.

 

[Ryan_S]

Maybe it's the lack of KDSS/XREAS??

I'm coming from a Subaru WRX, and I think the 4R handles great. I drive "highway" to work, 65 mph with stop lights, and I usually spend most of the time >75-80mph. I have no problems with tracking or wandering etc. It's a big cooshey truck, what do you expect?

Fwiw, I have E load tires and KDSS with stock suspension.

 

[M1911]

Maybe it's the lack of KDSS/XREAS??

My '03 has the XREAS. Changing to Michelin CrossTerrains helped the tracking, but it still wanders a bit on the highway.

Mrs. M1911's Mercedes C300 (and her C240 before that) are a different matter entirely -- they track straight down the middle of the lane like they are on rails.

 

[scanny]

Before I bought 4Runner I had 08' Ford Escape Limited for 3 years. If you asked me in my first week of owning 4runner I would say that it's a little bit harder to keep strait. Not dramatically, but just a little bit. I would attribute it to bigger height and weight of 4Runner and to the fact that its mostly RWD (I use 4x4 when raining and off the pavement). And to the fact that tires were underinflated.
Now after 3 months and 3000 miles of driving 4Runner I don't see any wandering - either I got used to it or it's gone when I brought tires to normal pressure. If road is straight and not sloped I don't have to hold steering wheel to keep vehicle straight. Yes in high winds you need to pay attention to keep T4R in the lane, but even my wife's Mazda3 is affected by high winds, not to mention my Ford Escape.

 

[Froglips]

I hear what you are saying and it does make sense. I am very happy with the tight feel of this truck around town as you commented. Prior to retiring a couple of years ago I did a lot of traveling, domestic and abroad, and drove a wide variety of vehicles - a Focus all the way to an Excursion in size. As I commented in an earlier note, I just feel that "being within spec provides enough latitude to the alignment to give different drivers a different impression on how the 4Runner does at highway speeds. Around town, it would take being out a lot to make a difference such as pulling which I do not encounter. If one has ever driven an older Lincoln Town Car - That is the feel.

 

[NYRunner]

Try different air pressures...?

FWIW~ the 1st time I test-drove a Limited they must've had the tires way over-inflated... it wandered like it was on ball bearings! It also chettered & bounced over potholes and bumps, but felt quicker than the SR5 & Trail I drove. I assumed the full-time explained the quickness and the XREAS and/or 20's explained the bounce and hop.

I chose the Trail w/ KDSS but I went to pick it up had problems (with the seat) that they couldn't fix, I took their Limited for a ride since it was the only other 'Runner they had in stock at the time.

HUGE difference! :banana: and when I told the 2nd dealer my experience he said it was not unheard of for the prep guys at some dealerships to not check such things until the car was being prepped for a buyer/ delivery.

Worth a shot to play around with your tire pressure- a pound or two up and down... it might make a big difference. I do quite a bit of highway driving and my Limited drives as true and straight as the 2001 Maxime SE I used to drive......... at allll speeds! :thumb3:

 

[harper7]

During front end alignment,the caster setting which determines how far forward or aft the wheel sits in the wheel well opening plays into the equation also with road stability.

I don't remember the caster settings but I think it's 2.00-4.00, and don't have time to look it up right now. Anyhow, when I had my wheels aligned I went out in the shop and worked with the guy to get my wheels set as far forward as possible.For one ,so it wouldn't rub on the mudflaps and also it makes it more stable on the highway,especially with my big tires.

Most alignment places and even techs when it's new at the factory will just shoot for "within limits" on their alignment. They just look for green lights basically.You have to tell them you want max caster or as far forward as possible. Remember though ,max caster also makes it a little harder to turn in and it also cuts down on your turning radius so there's a tradeoff.
But the basic principal is ...longer wheelbase= more stability!Same as most machines with wheels!

Find a good alignment shop/tech that works with you and can explain it better.They are worth their weight in gold! I can take my hands off my steering wheel on the highway and it will go as straight as the road will let it.

 

[Jambsi]

Original Poster - conclusion

You guys aren't gonna like this:

After concluding the SR5 was undriveable; very poor tracking (stock crap tires), unnaceptable body lean, etc.
I tested a Trail. It drove well but I couldn't decide which was more embarasing - the hoodscoop, the videogame offroad dials or the party speakers. The hood vibrated like crazy. I concluded I shouldn't have to spend an extra $7K to get basic road dribability.

I bought a Pilot.

Sorry, bye.

 

[mgrande]

During front end alignment,the caster setting which determines how far forward or aft the wheel sits in the wheel well opening plays into the equation also with road stability.

I don't remember the caster settings but I think it's 2.00-4.00, and don't have time to look it up right now. Anyhow, when I had my wheels aligned I went out in the shop and worked with the guy to get my wheels set as far forward as possible.For one ,so it wouldn't rub on the mudflaps and also it makes it more stable on the highway,especially with my big tires.

Most alignment places and even techs when it's new at the factory will just shoot for "within limits" on their alignment. They just look for green lights basically.You have to tell them you want max caster or as far forward as possible. Remember though ,max caster also makes it a little harder to turn in and it also cuts down on your turning radius so there's a tradeoff.
But the basic principal is ...longer wheelbase= more stability!Same as most machines with wheels!

Find a good alignment shop/tech that works with you and can explain it better.They are worth their weight in gold! I can take my hands off my steering wheel on the highway and it will go as straight as the road will let it.

yeah, I would assume the 4runner specs are the same as tacomas, and the numbers to shoot for would be 2.0, 2.0, and 0.0 . The sr5 I drive is dead on. If guys are wondering it may be because the alignment is off, and "in spec" doesnt mean anything. A good shop will get it perfect and will give you your numbers.