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want to get the front end to handle better (on windy days).

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by DIRTBIKEDAVE, Oct 31, 2019.

  1. Oct 31, 2019 at 10:45 PM
    #1
    DIRTBIKEDAVE

    DIRTBIKEDAVE [OP] 2nd 4Runner even better than the 1st one I had.

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    Dave
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    My 2nd 03' 4th GEN. even better than the 1st. V8 SPORT
    VOLANT cold air intake, LED's inside, rear, and front. tinted window shades.
    I've replaced the front sway bar bushings and end links. was thinking, maybe looking into an aftermarket front sway bar. any comments + or -.? the steering is aligned and doesn't pull. tires are aired properly. also put sway bar bushings and end links on the rear. but as the wind blows the front wanders as cars trucks boats and planes pass in a straight line. LOL
     
  2. Nov 1, 2019 at 5:31 AM
    #2
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    So you say the steering is aligned....did you recently get an alignment? Cuz it sounds like maybe the camber is off if it is wandering. Being your vehicle is a little older the coil springs could be starting to wear out which could cause this. Do the tires have the same amount of air in each one?
     
  3. Nov 1, 2019 at 7:21 AM
    #3
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Do you know what your caster is set at? Generally speaking, the vehicle will track straighter with higher caster numbers. So if you get your alignment tech to push you caster up to 4 degrees, it will wander less.

    And if you want to push it further, some people have aftermarket UCA's that allow them to push their caster up to 5 degrees or more.
     
  4. Nov 2, 2019 at 6:57 AM
    #4
    chassis

    chassis New Member

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    Is the vehicle lifted? If not, replace all 4 shocks and also the rear stabilizer bar bushings. 4th gen 4Runners don't wander any more than other vehicles, when the suspension is sorted with new OEM parts.

    If the vehicle is lifted, the roll mechanics have changed, and larger diameter front and rear stabilizer bars may help.
     
  5. Nov 2, 2019 at 8:33 PM
    #5
    DIRTBIKEDAVE

    DIRTBIKEDAVE [OP] 2nd 4Runner even better than the 1st one I had.

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2018
    Member:
    #7578
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    St. Louis, MO.
    Vehicle:
    My 2nd 03' 4th GEN. even better than the 1st. V8 SPORT
    VOLANT cold air intake, LED's inside, rear, and front. tinted window shades.
    Not lifted, all original parts on only 65K miles. will take to shop to check alignment.
     
  6. Nov 3, 2019 at 5:33 AM
    #6
    chassis

    chassis New Member

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    Dirtbikedave, what are you comparing the 4Runner to, in terms of ride and handling? How long have you owned the vehicle?
     
  7. Nov 3, 2019 at 6:13 AM
    #7
    DIRTBIKEDAVE

    DIRTBIKEDAVE [OP] 2nd 4Runner even better than the 1st one I had.

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2018
    Member:
    #7578
    Messages:
    43
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    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    St. Louis, MO.
    Vehicle:
    My 2nd 03' 4th GEN. even better than the 1st. V8 SPORT
    VOLANT cold air intake, LED's inside, rear, and front. tinted window shades.
    024iii.jpg IMG_3084.jpg I had an 03 SR5 V6 for about 6 yrs. had that one aligned, handled well, but still had to hang on the wheel. then got a '09 BMW X5 no problem. then '12 Toy Tacoma trk. no trouble. loved the Gen. $ Toy, so got another '03 Sport 4runner for 1 year now, with only 65K miles V-8. had all the under side checked out and looked great. front end only sways around with the windy days as I go to work and see ALL other cars, trucks, and SUV's are holding their lane. Ill get the alignment checked. If that is OK. I'd check out an aftermarket stronger front sway bar? Guess someone makes them.
     
    chassis likes this.
  8. Nov 3, 2019 at 10:08 PM
    #8
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    Can almost bet it's the springs. Alignment may fix it. Things wear out. Your 4 is 16 years old and most likely on the original springs. But that's a nice ride you have and well worth taking care of it.
     
  9. Nov 24, 2019 at 3:03 PM
    #9
    DIRTBIKEDAVE

    DIRTBIKEDAVE [OP] 2nd 4Runner even better than the 1st one I had.

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Dave
    St. Louis, MO.
    Vehicle:
    My 2nd 03' 4th GEN. even better than the 1st. V8 SPORT
    VOLANT cold air intake, LED's inside, rear, and front. tinted window shades.
    OK, here's the rest of the story. Yes, I did take to shop, got in the air. He said all looks really good. He said ????, and his shop's been there working on cars over 25 yrs, you got me. take it to Toyota since they specialize in TOY and maybe they can help> went there next, told him what its doing. they said bring it back on a windy day when they aren't busy and leave it with us, LOL, NOT.
    On the way home stoped at a tire shop to ask about being blown around by wind. They did a free alignment check and was within Toyota Specs. Were happen to be talking about tires being same and recently checked pressure that I set to 38 (Max press was 45lbs). He said "THATS TOO MUCH" we checked door jam sticker from Toy and it said 32lbs. Went home, lowered to 33lbs and drove to work. GUESS WHAT.........NO SIDEWAYS PUSH FROM WIND. Yep that was it. not shocks, sway bar, rack bushings, etc.
     
  10. Nov 24, 2019 at 3:13 PM
    #10
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    What kind of rims are those Enkei?
     
  11. Nov 24, 2019 at 3:44 PM
    #11
    DIRTBIKEDAVE

    DIRTBIKEDAVE [OP] 2nd 4Runner even better than the 1st one I had.

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2018
    Member:
    #7578
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    St. Louis, MO.
    Vehicle:
    My 2nd 03' 4th GEN. even better than the 1st. V8 SPORT
    VOLANT cold air intake, LED's inside, rear, and front. tinted window shades.
    That was on my first , SR5. Good eye! yes they were. that was when I lived in Florida. 7 years later, I bought another '04 4Runner. even better than the first.
     
    SR5 Limited likes this.
  12. Nov 24, 2019 at 3:49 PM
    #12
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    Well actually they used them on the Z28 a few years. That’s how I recognized them...
     
  13. Nov 24, 2019 at 4:02 PM
    #13
    DIRTBIKEDAVE

    DIRTBIKEDAVE [OP] 2nd 4Runner even better than the 1st one I had.

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2018
    Member:
    #7578
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    St. Louis, MO.
    Vehicle:
    My 2nd 03' 4th GEN. even better than the 1st. V8 SPORT
    VOLANT cold air intake, LED's inside, rear, and front. tinted window shades.
    :dancingbroccoli:THEY DID LOOK REALLY GOOD ON THERE!
     
  14. Nov 25, 2019 at 8:25 AM
    #14
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Jake
    California
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    Thanks for the update. Glad you figured it out.

    The problem with these types of issues is there are so many different variables that could make a truck wander. None of the suggestions were wrong, they just weren't the solutions to your particular problem.
     
    SlvrSlug and WallyT4R like this.

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