This rig is abysmal to drive on the interstate

what type of driveshaft grease did you use?

 

Any off the shelf NLGI#2 grease.

 

That’s a cool video. I agree with the driver that he needed studs or snow tires to really know how it could really do. At some point, if the traction is too poor, it’s hard to assess how well it can be manipulated between under/over steer.

Regarding weight and balance, I’ve found that it’s worth taking the time to balance my camping load out before I’m taking a trip. It rides so nicely and moves wonderfully over unimproved road surfaces when the weight is balanced perfectly. So if I ever rally my 4runner, I need to keep that in mind

I have noticed as I change spring rates and ride heights, the character of how it moves on the road definitely changes. So far, the suspension motion always feels good, but different (right now I think my rear spring rates are too heavy). I think the 4runner body/frame would respond to a rally set up very nicely if you took the time to set it up right. Maybe lower it a little a from stock, get the perfect spring rates and dampers for the racing weight, put a sequential 6 speed transmission in it, and I think it would be a monster lol.

 

You came from a car to an actual 4wd

 

Stupid question maybe, was ever in an accident? I hit a deer lying on the highway with a Mazda 3, might as well have been a house but after 18,000cdn in insurance repairs it was utterly impossible to drive in the snow. Any other situation, no problem. But for whatever
Reason in the snow it was like having slicks on the front right and back left, major alignment issue that couldn't be found by mechanics or duplicated during some mild summers. Maybe they threw a 4r body on a Mazda 3 frame,..

 

Should have gone a RAV4 if you want a car

 

Well Hell, the new 6th gen looks like a RAV and Outback had a baby. IN other news this thread has been bugging me because i think I get lulled by the 5th gen on long trips, it beats the 1st gen Taco by a long long shot. BUT, my wife's Merc coupe is just show comfortable. It cannot make through trails though or turn into an instant sleeping platform.

 

Interesting...

 

Mine is 11 years old with 172k miles on all the stock suspension and steering stuff. I can't say it's terrible on the highway other than the performance on hills at times. Otherwise, it tracks nice and straight and I don't get any weird vibrations. The steering never requires excess corrections unless it's a really windy day, and that's due to the height and boxiness of the vehicle.

I do find the sweet spot is under 70 mph though, to me the NVH and wind noise can get annoying at speeds higher than that.

 

Great chat, but is the OP long gone?

 

Don't forget the 2' long funnel strapped down to the RotoPax!

 

His last post was #91 on this thread, just fyi.

 

Somewhere, on another forum, the OP has started a similar thread: "Hankook Dynapro E-rated ATs are abysmal on the highway; My previous car had car tires and drove like a car... "

 

^That's a different topic for sure.

 

Nitto 33" tires, 3" lift and 4 degrees of caster. Drives better than stock.

I'm putting on 34" A/T4W's today. Hopefully it still cruises nicely.
I'm prepped for a regear if needed.

 

Did you have any issues getting the alignment shop to go to 4 degrees of caster? Did that cause any rubbing on the liner?

 

I'm thinking it needs a pedal pretender.

 

No but I have aftermarket UCA's (Apache Off Road) to provide more caster.
Removed mud flaps and pushed the liner forward all the way. No rubbing even with 285/70/17s on 17x8.5 -12 offset.

Imo even stock 4Runners seem to wander a lot at high speeds. +4 degrees of caster makes these things cruise great.

 

Thanks. I have Bilstein 5100's and 265/70/17 Wildpeaks and I have noticed the steering requires constant micro-adjustments on the freeway. Hoping caster adjustment fixes this.

 

More caster should help with that. If you can't get there with stock UCA's I'd recommend Dobinsons, JBA, or Apache Off Road.

Avoid SPC. Mine failed in 8 months and required $300 proprietary ball joints to fix them. Hence why I moved to the Apaches that take factory sized ball joints.

 

No they don't

Being disabled (back injury, sciatica, shot) I drove my 4Runner over 14hrs straight to go wheeling, wheeled the entire weekend, and 14hrs back home without issue.

 

If stock, at 66k miles your shocks are shot causing you to lose some of that dampening you're used to.

I'd get underneath and inspect all other components for signs of worn bushings, etc that could cause said issues. Control arm bushings as part of all that.

 

I am the opposite of OP. Drove my aunt's 2019 Equinox Premier to work yesterday so I could get the summer tires put on. Thing drove like an absolute rickshaw. I was never so relieved to hop back into my T4R.

 

Cool.

 

I second that as well. Find the ride extremely comfortable. Mind you I use a lumbar cushion for added support.

 

The 15.5k miles on my '23 include road trips of 6k and 5.5k. The latter included a sprint home through UT, CO, NE, IA, IL, IN, OH, PA and NJ in three days of howling winds that blew at least one semi and one fifth wheel rig off the road ahead of me. I traversed NJ, PA, MD, WV, VA, AL, GA, LA, TX, NM, CO, and UT on the way out in better weather.

Apart from the aerodynamic shortcomings noted by many above, the 4R is a great expedition vehicle. I don't generally mind the anemic acceleration after adapting my driving to its limitations. I go with the flow more than blowing by everyone like I might in a different kind of vehicle. I enjoy having plenty of room for gear and being able to sleep in back. I love the all-around visibility, the seats, the slightly soft ride, the ergonomics of the controls, and the map and info display. I'm even getting used to that feeling of still being on the boat after dismounting to refill the gas tank and get more snacks.

After reaching the target zone, it easily handled shuttling five backpackers geared up for a week-long trek 45 miles to the trailhead across sand and slickrock.

 

Get an alignment. My alignment was off on a brand new 4Runner. The front tires were toe out and pretty noticeable. It wandered on the highway, the slightest steering input would send it into the other lane. Since the alignment it’s much better.

 

Or a lifted 99 Tacoma ext 2.7 auto