Can turning radius be changed?

Thinking about the new Tundra but I feel the new Tacoma suffers from the same. Why did they reduce the turning radius of the new gen of trucks? Is it a a matter of steering spacer removal? Would installing a more negative offset wheel improve it?

 

The axles are farther apart. And no, you can't change the turning radius. If I recall, this gen has a 4" wider radius than the last gen.

 

You "can"

It's wont be easy. Or cheap.

 

I had a 3G and I noticed the decreased turn radius the 4G has. Bummer but what do you do?

 

Careful with the clock spring

 

Why would you even try ? It was engineered that way , most people get used to it

 

I haven't driven a 4G but it's like driving a slightly smaller half ton.

 

Reduce surface grip, add throttle.

 

Yup

 

Their numbers have been declining since the adoption of FWD and AWD, however there are still a handful of masters trained in the dark arts of controlled power throttle oversteer. They can sometimes be found gathering on parking lots, usually Friday nights. Compliment his Hemi, and he may share the answers you seek. Good luck.

 

The 'traction control' is the kill joy feature that also needs to be disabled.

 

Turning radius is definitely larger than my 2g but with the 360/Pano cameras and the big display, I find that I can get closer to obstacles without having to multipoint turn.

 

That's a valid question, sad to see all the naysayers here acting like you had asked something ridiculous.

Unfortunately there does not appear to be an easy resolution like removing a spacer. There are hard stops cast into the knuckle.

 

Are there modern cars that can be easily modified to increase turning radius? How viable was such tinkering with older vehicles? What % gains could you get?

It’s a bit of a dark art, bud. Drift car stuff.

 

That's a good point. I traded a '23 DCLB for a '25 DCLB and while the '23 turned a little tighter, the '25 is easier to park with the camera cheating. In my 23 I wouldn't have been as comfortable getting an inch away from someone else's front bumper. I park in a tight airport parking garage once a week and backing in is just the new norm but it doesn't bother me much. If I'm doing a u-turn I just run over the curb if I need too.

 

A cutting brake would significantly decrease turning radius on slick surfaces but would chew up your tires a bit on road. Also you would need to be able to disable all traction control, etc to keep it from going crazy.

 

My old jeep actually had a great turning radius. I feel like the wheels turned so much further than any other car I had had. I do wonder at times if it would be possible to increase how much the wheels turn.

 

Those cast stops can be ground away (or what they contact), but then you have the limitation of the CVs. If the OP only drove in 2WD it'd probably be OK. Put stress on the CVs in 4WD and all bets are off. Toyota limited the steering for a reason, find that reason, then resolve Toyota's problem and you are set.

 

Then there is always rear steer or systems that change suspension geometry on the fly..... Obviously the simple solution.