New Member first post. Help with Handling

Hi all,
I just bought a new 2013 Tacoma Base model with automatic trans. and 2.7Ltr eng. Before that, I had a 2009 Tacoma 2.4 that I bought new and drove over 400,000 miles. I like the new truck but the handling is less than confidence inspiring. I was hoping I could get some advise from some of you on how to tighten it up a bit. I've considered different shocks, anti sway bars and different tires. It also has LSD. Should I turn that off or leave it on? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

 

Try increasing the tire pressure 2-3 PSI over the factory recommendation. It made my truck feel much better on the highway.

Mike

 

The truck feels great on the highway. The problem is on mountain roads.
The 2013 is considerably bigger and heaver than my 1999 and the increase in body roll during cornering is unsettling if not dangerous. The tire grip on my 1999 Tacoma was the limiting factor on that road. The body roll on the 2013 Tacoma is so profound that the tires don't even have a chance to complain before I'm forced to tighten my grip on the steering wheel just to keep from being thrown on to the passenger side.

 

Welcome to TW

Not sure how to help - maybe stiffer coils up front will make you feel better about it...

Or slow down...

 

I don't at all miss the early Toyota IFS that seemed like it really needed to be going 50 MPH over rough terrain before it worked well. I had a 1990 4x4 that I thought was too stiffly sprung, then a 2005 Tundra 4x4 that was way too soft. My 2010 Tacoma 4x4 is in the middle somewhere, but closer to the Tundra end of the spectrum.

A good description of the forces at work:
http://www.modified.com/tech/0506_sccp_making_it_stick_part_1/viewall.html

If you don't have a lot of miles behind the wheel of the Tacoma, I would recommend that you continue adjusting to the different handling characteristics until they feel predictable to you. At that point, maybe some tuning is necessary to achieve the ride that you want.

Mike

 

I just ordered a Hellwig 7670 sway bar. I'm also wondering if I should get some Bilsteins or KYB's.