Can turning radius be changed?

How much shorter was the wheelbase than your truck?

 

Add a second brake pedal and fabricobble up an independent rear brake system. Works great on my Deere.

 

Jeeps have a great turning radius

Side benefit is they also try to change 3 three lanes at once on the freeway when you flick the steering wheel 2 inches in either direction

 

I got the idea from ChrisFix, not sure what he's up to these days but when I was in my Mustang phase i watched a lot of his videos, smart dude.

 

I had jeeps and ram too, in fact my Ram1500 from 2013 felt like had the worst turning radius even though the steering wheel keeps on turning...

 

A lot but at the time I was comparing it to similar length vehicles. At full lock there was a bit of binding and wheel slip despite being 2wd that I presume was from the wheels being turned so far but I could parallel park and almost be touching the cars in front and behind me. I presume Toyota would try to keep a more stable geometry and not let you go so far but it sure is nice to have the ability at times.

At some point I want to convert my 3rd gen parking brakes into a cutting brake setup to improve my turn radius off-road.

 

Have you considered using the ABS module to apply a brake individually to simulate cutting brakes? The ABS module already does that internally and the Crawl control remotely controls the ABS too. Would take some looking into and some CAN expertise I imagine. Just putting this out there as a hair in someone's rear.

Or a separate ABS module plumbed to the two rear brakes with pass-through as the default condition, then selectively activated when desired.

Rear driveline disconnect might be an easier way and do front wheel digs.

 

I have considered it but not sure if I will ever get around to digging that deep and figured it was a long shot anyway. I figured crawl control was probably handled internally and it won't be as simple as sending a canbus command to brake.

On the 3rd gen each rear wheel has its own e-brake cable so it seems like a simple way of doing it.

 

I just re-reviewed the ABS schematic, and you are correct the overhead console switches are wired directly to the ABS pump/solenoids. So not CAN controlled.

 

@Toycoma2021 No such buttons in the 4G overhead console.

 

Blame it on @Mach he sidetracked me in a 4th gen thread with 3rd gen statement. I shouldn’t be here! I’ve never even sat in a 4th gen.

 

Turning radius is the radius of a turn made by the vehicle with the steering wheel turned as far as it will go.

So a reduced turning radius means a more maneuverable vehicle.

A reduced turning radius is generally a good thing.

If a vehicle makes a larger circle when the steering wheel is turned all the way, it’s turning radius is increased, not reduced.

Please quite calling a larger turning radius a reduced turning radius. It gets confusing as hell.

 

Fair point, OP is using the term "reduced turning radius" in the opposite sense of how turning radius is traditionally discussed, but I still knew what he meant. I didn't even notice until you pointed it out! I guess my mind just translated it for me.

On another note, all of these posts about brake-assisted turning are really off-base, particularly where the concern is turning radius on pavement.

 

Yes, I knew what OP meant.

However, as various vehicles, steering and suspension components, and other probably impractical solutions were discussed, it became confusing.

There are two major factors in reducing turning radius.

1. Wheelbase. As the distance between the front wheels and rear wheels decreases, turning radius increases.

2. Front wheel maximum steering angle. Having more maximum steering angle reduces turning radius.

It really got to the point that I think at least some people think reduced turning radius refers to reduced maximum steering angle which would increase turning radius which for some people means reduced turning radius.

Jesus.

I work in repair of industrial equipment. You would be amazed at how often there is nothing wrong with the equipment, the operator has no clue how it’s supposed to work or even if it’s broke, the explanation of the problem has nothing to do with what the problem is.

The first thing you have to do is make sure you understand what the person reporting the problem is actually trying to say.

 

You have your terminology wrong. They didn't reduce turn radius. They increased it. In this case less is better than more.

 

If it makes you feel any better, in between my last 3rd Gen Taco and my current 4th Gen, I had a 2021 F150 Super Crew with 6' bed...THAT was like piloting the freaking TITANIC!!!!

 

We understand through context.
Good grief, dude.

Recently, in another thread, you accused this forum of being pedantic. Be sure to check mirrors before backing up or changing lanes.

 

So back to the original question. If you were to grind down the turning stops on the spindles would you break the CV joints or the steering rack first? Any way to address those problems and squeeze some more angle out of the steering system?

 

The easiest issue is your tire clearance.

Angles will compromise the strength of your C/V axel outer cage, specifically when off-roading. Also be mindful of your tie rod clearances.

The hard / dangerous part is the steering rack limits.

Lastly, at least wait for your warranty to expire before grinding as this will most certainly be a Toyota "get out of free jail" card if you try to make a warranty claim on anything to do with your suspension.