Truck Handles Like a Boat

Does anyone have any tips for improving on road handling without hurting off-road performance on a 14 DCSB SR5. This thing handles like a turd. I have had 2500HD's that handle better. My 2000 lifted cherokee with 32's and no sway bars handles better!!! (I may be exaggerating a bit)

But seriously I expected better on road performance. Its my first tacoma, but I think my father in laws 99' tacoma out handles my 2014.

 

It is a truck....I am not sure what your expectations were?

 

I have owned a number of trucks over the years. I just think the handling of this one is sub par to what I have owned in the past. My 05 gmc 2500HD handled great. I was very confident in corners and on freeway exit ramps. This truck does not make me feel confident.


Maybe its the tires.... Just wondering if anyone has any constructive input.

 

Check tire psi, check to see if u can get the rear leaf tsb, if not try an add a leaf.

Toyota built these trucks to kinda handle comfy like a car I guess to appeal to ppl who want cars with cargo space?

 

I have three rear leafs and an overload... what does the rear leaf tsb involve?


Yeah I like a more firm ride with less body roll. Makes you feel more connected to the road

 

I came from a few domestic trucks, and when i jumped into my tacoma, i thought the same thing - lots of sway around corners. boatlike, sure. i was almost a little freaked about how loose it felt seriously.

but now, after getting used to it, its actually much more nimble and gives a closer connection to the road than any full size chevy, dodge, or ford i've driven.

so my only input is that i expect you might probably get used to it and not even notice after a while, and maybe get to think its better than the others eventually.

 

Maybe I will.... The first time I drove it just a little over the posted limit on back roads It gave me some pucker factor for sure!




I wonder if a lift with some stiffer suspension would improve things?

 

Never mind then, u already have the upgraded leafpack

Maybe when u lift the truck u can get the feel u are looking for?

 

Saying it doesn't "handle" tells us nothing. What about the handling don't you like?

Body roll? Some stiffer lift springs will help or a beefy sway bar but that'll hurt offroad performance.

Toyotas typically have extremely light steering efforts which translates to terrible confidence in the corners.

Also a body on frame pickup will never have the response of a unibody vehicle. I know you weren't comparing it to a unibody but just FYI, don't expect much.

 

My DCSB off road with lift etc. handles pretty well considering its a PICKUP . I came from a Ram 2500 and that handled crappy, way too stiff due to heavy duty suspension. I dont expect it to handle like a Porsche

 

That's what I am beginning to think. Also some new rubber couldn't hurt!

 

Keep in mind u raise the center of gravity too much and ur gunna increase the roll.

I'm running eibachs and bilstein 5100's and it handles fine for me but thats subjective.
Also running 5100 rears and icon progressive aal.

 

I wasn't trying to be un-constructive, I have Chevy trucks also, my older Toyota feels ok in corners for what it is. Here is a pick of what they had under the driver side sun visor. Doesn't convey great handeling

 

You have an SR5. Those come with junk Tokico shocks. Bilsteins are a step up but in my opinion still not firm enough for this beast. Might want to try some KYBs.

 

im on stock suspension, and feel nothing but solidity even at 170km/hour. but im not swerving around at that speed either.. i rip over 70mph on my parents gravel road all the time, but course i grew up out there.

what i wanted to add: check the tire pressure, make sure its per the door jamb. i cant recall what it was new, but every time i take it to the dealership for even an oil change those wieners jack it up to over 35psi

 

AAL made a huge difference in body roll for me

 

Higher psi will stiffen sidewalls and benefit the OP since he wants less roll and better "connection" to the road. Less psi would increase roll.

The door jamb is probably a "safe" and more "comfortable" psi for sales tactics.

Touting car like ride for some while on road.

 

Now we are getting somewhere! Thanks guys!
Will 5100's stiffen things up front? I mainly wheel with my jeep, truck is just a hardware runner and occasional jaunt in the woods for hunting. I also would like to hear some opinions on tires.

 

The stock tires are decent for pavement. All terrains will only make on road response and overall grip worse unless you get something like the michellin AT. I love my BFG all terrains for a good compromise and they last forever.

5100's set to a bit of lift should reduce body roll a bit if thats what you want.

 

i'd like to believe that theres a bit more to it than sidewall stiffness. i'd expect that with softer sidewalls, you'd get more side shift in the tire itself, more 'squat' if you know what i mean.

when they jack up my tire pressure i can tell right away 'cause the feeling i get is that i'm up on top of some hard discs. to me it feels more like a body/cab, on top of a frame with wheels cause all the parts aren't playing ball. softer (recommended) PSI the whole thing just meshes nice for me.