Decreasing Turn Radius Thought Experiment

Since my last thread started a bit of an expected shit storm... let's see if I can start another one.


Right off the bat let me clarify: This is a mental exercise only! If your only comment is:

• it can't be done
• too expensive
• buy a different truck
• un-possible
• x2
• x1,000

Please don't bother responding. This thread is a place for gear heads to discuss what it would take to accomplish the goal.

The challenge: Modifications required to decrease the 22' (6.7 m) turn radius of the doublecab long bed, 2nd gen Tacoma.

e.g.
Piecut frame for wheel clearance.

ok now I have frame clearance but not the rack travel to use it.

​

Cut more teeth in the rack.

ok.. what is going to drive the pinion to turn the rack?
​

Longer travel hydraulic rack pump.

Remove/relocate steering stops

etc.


Cheers 2nd-gen gear heads!

 

Rear steering .

 

didn't you just answer your own question?

 

x2

 

Ha ha good one...
I think wheel spacers plus shave off the stops would give you slightly smaller radius but buying new truck will accomplish even more

Now if you had only A-trac you probably could have turned in a spot just by pressing magical button.

 

Something like the Denali. Makes for a broken rear axle so all those bearings and joints you have in your front end, you now have in the back as well. Double the maintenance, expensive as hell I'm sure, but probably the most effective way to do this. Denali's only have the rear steer when you're under a certain speed. There was an old Accord model that had this also.

Minor improvements can be had by changing your alignment. I'm thinking something more similar to a flat track car but that wouldn't be good for normal driving.

Easiest way, turn the wheel and stomp the skinny pedel and wait for the back end to come around.

 

WOW, heck of an idea..but not going to happen on a 4*4 IMHO.

 

I VERY SPECIFICALLY asked people to not chime in with
"x2"
"buy another truck"
type feedback...

Rear-steer, while a sound suggestion, is not in the spirit of the original question.

I didn't answer my own question, I was merely attempting to get everyone's creative juices flowing.

 

Does this truck have mechanical steering stops, or are they internal to the pump? When I turn the wheel it feels like I am hitting a mechanical (tab-type) stop. Would relocating this free up a few degrees of wheel toe?

 

Because I wasn't thinking along those lines when I wrote the question !

 

Just look under the front of the truck at the wheel. You'll see the flat metal stop.

 

Add a rear diff disconnect so you can do front digs.

I know, I know, "not in the spirit...."

 

Any modification, you do in order to accomplish your goal will cost a lot of money.

You have to ask yourself is this really worth it?

 

is a "wheel rounder" like a "finger-longer"?

 

I'm gathering the OP has no intention of actually doing this. This is just a 'what if'.

If your front wheels turn over too far you'll just plow with the front tires with a rear wheel drive truck which is why rear steer is an effective solution. It reduces turning radius while not overextending the angles on your front end.

 

Is it worth it? No... Is it a fun mental-exercise? For me, yes it is.