Anyone else experiencing unstable driving?

it drives like a light weight truck with stiff suspension. i am on my second 05+ taco. first was a base 4x4 single cab, now i have a 09 access cab trd off road. they both drive about the same. you guys gotta remember, these aren't cars.

 

I am still running the rugged trails, did the 5100's at 1.75 this weekend. I drove it to the dealers Sunday night got it up to about 55 at the highest but it tracked great with no alignment yet.

Just my opinion but any amount of air pressure over 35 seems really high to me...

 

With the way the wind is now... I feel like I am getting thrown all over the road. I am doing about 70 mph on 40 psi. Maybe I will try bumping it down to 32 psi; however, I think it is just the strong gust of winds.

 

I've had several 4x4 vehicles including small pickups and I still have a 1994 Toyota 4x4 pickup that is quite a bit stiffer, quite a bit taller, and quite a bit lighter than this Tacoma. The '94 does not exhibit these characteristics, not did any of my other pickups to this extent.

I was running 40psi because I have C-rated Revos with a 50psi max rating and the tires felt best at that pressure. I lowered them to 32 front, 34 rear today and will try that, although it makes it handle more sluggishly.

 

You need more air pressure if you are running LT instead of passenger tires, there is a write-up on this somewhere. Less air pressure likely worse with wind but may tend to track uneven roads itself worse. I run LT revos with 45 pounds air pressure and my truck rides great and the wind is almost always blowing here.

 

Hmm, maybe I should be airing them up more instead of lowering the pressure. People say both things, high air pressure will make the tires follow ruts and wander, low pressure will do the same. Guess I just have to keep experimenting and see what works best with my set up.

 

Im running BFG AT's also, it wanders a bit with the high winds, but other than that it's ok - i can stay straight with 2 fingers on the wheel most of the time

 

When my Taco was new with stock Bridgestones H/T's 265/65/17 (Passenger tires), smooth with no tracking on the roads...


With the rear leaf TSB and 5100 (front only set at 1.75) little taller than stock, overall good, but still pretty smooth with the stock tires.


With the new BFG A/T's 265/70/17's (which are talling than the stock tires - that with the TSB/5100 added a good 2 inches in lift) tends to track a little more... however still easy to drive, personally I thinks its the bigger and taller you go on tires you are going to have this happen.

I had a Ford Explore sport trac that was horrible - got about 15 mpg and (with everything stock) it tracked all over the road and with even a hint of wind it got pushed around a lot! This is by far THE best truck, NAY the best vehicle I have ever owned!


By the way, seems everyones talking about it being windy - wonder if that's all over the country - pretty windy here in Pensacola, FL (over 20 knots)...

 

I have experienced it since day 1 and I believe I know why...its called "Tramlining" My 2006 RX-8 did the same thing. Here's a good read on it:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=47

 

Heading to the Pensecola area in about 10 days, please turn off the wind.

 

P metric 265/70/16 Revos here.

I also had a 1994 Toyota Pickup prior to my 08 and I was actually running 31" LT tires on it. Haven't really noticed a difference between the two except that the 94 didn't seem to have all the feedback in the steering wheel, while it feels like every little bump in the road is transferred through the steering wheel on my 08.

 

Yeah, agree, my Taco is still very easy to drive. A friend of mine has a Jeep Rubi, with a 6in lift and huge Goodyears, great for off-roading, but not so good on the road.

Hey Kbaum, it should hopefully calm down, we just had a front come through. The biggest thing that sucks about it is that there's been a red flag at the beach everytime i call for the surf report, good waves, but real choppy.

What you going to be doing inP'cola?

 

Give it a day or two...it'll change and then change back...It's still nice down here either way.

 

Hey Brunes, where are you stationed at for the CG? Unfortunately I'm up at Whiting, wish I was down at Main side - closer to the Beach (easier to ditch work and head out surfing).

 

I'm up Whiting too...VT-6 SNA for Primary. I live in North Pensacola off Davis.

I hear you on ditching work to hit the beach tho...It's nice to get the good days!!

 

The wind is very strong here today and, sure, it was bobbing about on the road but I've never owned a truck that didn't in this kind of wind. In normal weather, not one problem. These trucks ride very well compared to others I've owned.

In the end, it has the aerodynamics of a brick so what can anyone really expect to happen in strong wind.

 

Brunes, Yeah, i live just off Spanish Trail, had to compromise half way between beach and work... Man I gotta tell ya, you made the right choice with CG. I've got a lot of friends jumping ship (Navy) - no pun intended to go over to the CG. thinking about it myself...

sorry didn't mean to hi-jack the thread...

 

you've got a PM!!