Why the lean?

Been reading a lot on the forum about the lean between driver and passanger side on 4runners. Lots on how to fix it but can't find why it happens.

Can someone tell me why?
Thanks

 

I think it's mostly the weight of the gas tank. I don't believe it's a feature, just a side effect.

 

I pulled into a gas station almost on empty and took measurements before and after filling the tank. It made zero change.
Why the lean? Dunno but a spacer will fix it but I picked up eibach adjustable rear coils

 

I always assumed it was because the engine favors the drivers side.

 

one would think that the engineers thought about that, i find it hard to believe this is an oversight or sold like that

 

Not sure if there is any lean stock. This is after OME lift and I don't have KDSS either.





(Updated with measurement pictures from same video of mine)

Front driver -


Front passenger -

 

Part of it is the gas tank being on that side; even without fuel it def adds weight biased to the drivers side; and part is that the battery is located right over the DS wheel well too. Battery weighs a good 40-50lbs. It's enough to preload the spring and cause the lean. The reason you don't see much further change when the tank is full of gas, is because the spring is already loaded up to a certain point were it would take exponentially more weight to cause further lean (though hoping in the driver seat likely causes it to dip a bit more); also the rest of the suspension helps carry "some" of the load. Also, not as noticeable as the front, but there's typically a lean in the rear too; which is generally more prominent when the tank is full (more so than front).

 

I’ve had 3 4runners and from others said, not all of them lean. My 20 pro was the worst at 3/4” in the rear and full tank or empty did not matter. The pro front was level but they offset the struts to make up the difference
Other members have reported zero lean.
Lol, guy at work just said it’s because they are shorter in Japan so it’s easier for them to get in

 

I guess you are correct on gas tank weight. Even though my front is exact height and level I can see a difference of 99.5cm (driver side where gas tank is) vs 101cm (passenger side).

 

Can you take a measurement before and after filling your tank? Mine made zero change but no one else wants to check this

 

I'll try to remember this and measure when its almost empty next time.

 

So I have a 2021 ORP with KDSS. No mods done to the vehicle yet other than stock size KO2's and TRD Pro wheels. Having said that, I decided to measure the height up front with just over a half tank of gas.

Passenger 33 7/8 ground to bottom of fender.
Driver 34 3/8 ground to bottom of fender.

So my stock without any mods including KDSS leans towards the passenger side exactly 1/2 inch.

So the other question is as follows. If the vehicle is designed this way, should I bother removing the lean if I add my 1 to 2 inch lift or let it lean ?

 

^shake the car side to side as hard as you can and then measure again, i bet you the numbers will be different.
maybe it is how the shocks stay with certain weight

 

Most lean, there's more weight on driver side. They have leaned since the beginning of time. People with 2005's were talking about it. It's actually known as Tacoma Lean because it's more prevalent there.

However, if you gotta bust out a tape measure to determine if you're leaning it doesn't matter any more than putting a person in the passenger side, a little cargo, etc. The easiest way to correct is aftermarket, adjustable suspension, but it's more of an OCD problem than an actual problem. I'm not discounting your concern, I've measured and tweaked to remove it too, so I'm not saying it's not something that didn't bother me, I'm saying it won't hurt anything.

 

Toyota's have had this lean since back when FJ-40's were still being sold. I read somewhere (can't find the link now) that it's to counter act the battery, driver, and gas tank weight. For the 40's, there was a plate available that when installed in the spring pack, would offset the lean. It's an undocumented feature, not a bug!

 

No noticeable lean before of after lift on my 2017. I must be one of the lucky ones.

 

so if I go with the trd pro fox suspension which has the coil perch set differently on left and right, I wonder if that will correct the lean

 

Earth Gravity.....gets worse with Mars interfacing orbital sweeps

 

Yes the Fox pro shocks are perched to offset the lean in the front. Does nothing for the rear

 

FWIW, every jeep I've owned had a lean as well; typically in the rear passenger side. Wife's 2019 Ranger also has a slight lean to it (totally stock).

It's probably more prevalent on other vehicles too; we're just paying a lot closer attention to our 4Runner's. (Just theory, def could be wrong!)

 

Nah, 1st gen v6 Tacomas have The Lean™ also, which feature a center-mounted 5VZ-FE.

 

I have a .75” lower lean on the drivers side rear on my 2015 Pro with OEM TRD Bilstein suspension with Cornfed spacers. Very noticeable when you look straight from the back end. Sucks, but it is what it is.

 

After having all my Jeeps lean, I decided to never look at my 4R like that. So I have no idea if it leans.

 

Lean?
Who cares?
https://youtu.be/ImX_jvOFBS0

 

measure from your wheel center hub to the bottom of fender

 

Not to many can accurately do that because eyeballing it your not always at the same angle. Best way is measure the diameter of the rim. Measure from bottom lip of the rim to the fender. Subtract 50% of the rim diameter. That would be comparing 4Runner to 4Runner and want to know how much lift you gain.
If your measuring lean, diameter does not matter and just measure bottom of rim to fender.
For those that do not know, tire size and pressure affect the measurements of measured from the ground

 

Because you’re sitting in it..... duh.


Actually has to do with the battery , fuel tank, driver , etc a lot of components on that side that are heavy.

 

I have 4R trail with KDSS. I talked to the dealer and Toyota manufacture spec have some play as like up to 0.75” difference between driver side and passenger side. Up to certain difference (lean) are in Toyota spec....that is what I found out

 

Might it be to account for curvature of the road surface? Roads are humped in the middle to allow water to run off to the curb or shoulder. With drivers side lean, you’d be more “level” on a curved road surface.

 

It's to account for the crown in the road.

With the lean, you're actually driving level.

The jokes on you guys who fix it because now you're driving down the road with lean

Just kidding. I'm just making shit up.......but it's kind of true