Sway Bar Options

I know this may be sacrilege, but imo the TRD Pro handles terribly. I know, I know..... For its intended purpose, handling is not what this truck is for. That being said, I feel the sway is dangerous and would like to improve it, especially for my wife.

Has anyone tried either a larger sway in the rear or replaced both with larger diameter bars? If so, what were the results? Also, is it true the Limited has bigger sways than the TRD Pro? I've never driven a limited, but is the handling better than other models, minus KDSS equipped trucks.

I also own a 2021 Tacoma TRD Off road that handles much better than my 4runner TRD Pro. I would love to get close to that in handling if possible.

TIA

 

Are you the original owner? If not have you checked to make sure the sway bar is actually there?

 

Yeah I bought it brand new and sway bars are there. I checked that first .

 

Doesn’t the limited weigh more with the full time 4x4?

 

A High Center of Gravity vehicle with 4-wheel drive, that is used for off-highway driving is not going to respond very well to limited suspension travel from larger sway bars.
If your intent is high speed stability, start with a different vehicle.
Having both will cost some significant coin but will not be the best of both worlds.
IMO.

 

You don’t hear that many people complaining about the body roll on a the Pro trim, considering they have decent shocks. How old is it? Any chance you just have blown shocks?

If everything is in good working order, then it’s probably just the nature of the beast. You can make them feel very planted with a good set of shocks/springs, but I think the reality is that it’s still going to be much less dynamically stable than other cars. You run the risk of feeling safer, but the high center of gravity is still there, and ultimately will flip you over just the same. The tacoma probably rolls less due to a lower center of gravity.

If you want the feel of stability and you’re willing to swap out for another 4runner, getting one equipped with KDSS is the best option. It’s got a massive bar, but it might not run as smooth on choppy roads. I wouldn’t recommend doing this though, because finding used 4runners without rust is hard, and KDSS hates rust.

The only thing that will probably make it more stable and also make it feel more planted is a good set of shocks and springs, set to a lower ride height. The 2wd SR5s I think are set up about 1.5 lower than a Pro. That might be a good target.

In any case, it’s always best to drive defensively in a 4runner. Don’t make sharp avoidance maneouvers at speed….and plan for braking straight ahead if you’re ever in an emergency stopping situation (like deer).

 

My almost stock Limited is 5060lbs vs TRD Pro with sliders and every damn skid plate is 5000lbs.

 

The Pro's have the softest spring rate of all the trims. A stiffer spring will certainly help with that 'moose test' feeling.

As far as the sway bar, the more offroady the model, the thinner (more flexy) the sway bar is. You could swap to another non KDSS model's sway bar.

A more aggressive solution however is to either increase spring rate by swapping springs, or swapping to 6112's or Fox equivalent equipped with 600 (ideal for OEM 4Runner curb weight) pound rated spring.

 

If it's non KDSS, you can probably use adjustable sway bar links to change your handling and ride. The KDSS bar is 42mm from my understanding and the link disconnect system is what allows that big a bar. My Limited is 31mm F 21mm R. Usually offroad models have a lighter sway bar for better traction and articulation offroad. I have adjustable links on my Limited and it really changes ride and handling depending on adjustment. Extended is firmer, retracted is softer. I have replaced front bar on older 4runners. I looked at 5th gen sway bar kits and none were bigger than my Limited 31mm or 1 1/4" except Pro with KDSS. Adjustable links do the same as a sway bar kit with brackets and holes in them and cheaper for all 4 corners. I have had to drive and adjust, drive and adjust, drive and adjust to learn what I like, what I just changed and if I like it. I drive mostly hwy and I like a little stiff and less wallowing

 

I just purchased raptor sway bars but have yet to install them. Both are solid, not hollow bars, with the front being 31mm and rear 24mm. They are also adjustable with 3 setting for front and rear. I’m going to start with the softest setting and go from there.

 

some more related reading:
https://www.4runners.com/threads/stiffer-sway-bar-for-an-sr5.22524/
(better tires with a thicker sidewall is the top suggestion)

found this other rear sway bar:
https://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/?partnumber=7988&gQT=2

and

https://www.addco.net/product/toyota-4-runner-2003-19-rear/ (I'm guessing it really works up to 2024, but they didn't update the website)
as discussed here: and here: https://www.speedysgarage.net/sportrunner/addco_sway_bars/projectsportrunner_addco.htm

more sway bar reading:
https://www.4runners.com/threads/sw...htshade-want-to-get-under-their-runner.20982/
and more: don't forget the sway bar end links
https://overlandcustomdesign.com/products/forged-ball-joint-sway-bar-links

suspension replacement discussion to reduce sway:
https://www.4runners.com/threads/body-roll-solutions.27565/

 

Id check your alignment and tire pressure first.

 

its not the sway bars, it the junk suspension imo Pro or no Pro. When i swapped out my 2022 Trail Specials suspension at something like 8 miles, with Bilstein 6112 with 600 lb springs in the front at 2” and 5100 rear shocks paired with Eibach T13 coils at 1.5”, the whole vehicles handling improved drastically. No nose dive, planted around turns, predictable/tight for evasive/defensive driving, etc.

 

and the front is lifted up a bit higher than all other trims, that can't help either, and done by port side "techs" not the Tahara factory staff.

Personally that's why I' keeping my KDSS equipped ORP 100% stock until stock shocks blow, I drive it on highway 17, 35 and 9 in the SF Bay Area with zero issues and usually I have to politely high beam tap much sleeker sedans and crossovers that can't hold the speed limit on the curves to kindly get the F out of my way in the mountains.

 

Its a coilover swap, I've done four swaps over the past few years in a dimly lit garage without AC and at least a six pack down. It ain't aeronautical propulsion engineering.

 

It's not just a unbolt-bolt task. They also did some trimming of the front bumper and liner, add spacers, and a few other things besides a coild swap. Tires, wheels, Pro specific front skidplate, roofrack, and badging are put on at the port too. I can't remember if the pro-only exhaust is factory installed or not.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/4runner-trd-pro-parts-installed-in-usa.29111/

This is how a "pro" looked like when disembarking at port

 

I thought we were talking about port installed components as they relate to handling.

 

Yes, just throw suspension spacers in front, swap for some more aggressive tread tires, bolt some name brand shocks on. That'll help the handling on road. I'm sure the alignment check and suspension characteristics are thoroughly double and triple checked by some top tier "techs" at Honolulu or Long Beach or wherever.

Cuz, you know, shocks/spacer/tire package never in the history of 4x4s have been known to affect handling and whatnot. I'm sure there is a mobile team of top tier Toyota engineers double checking all the Pro installation work afterward. LOL.