Twitchy Handling

- J
- JC
  
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posted
19 years ago

Wed, Jun 2, 2004 11:05 AM

I have a 2001 4WD TRD Extra Cab. I bought it used with 39K miles.

I commute about 60 miles a day with my truck and do light hauling with it on the weekends. I love the way this thing handles, it's everything I wanted. This is my first truck.

The one thing that somewhat surprised me was the tendency for the rear end to hop laterally when I hit this particular set of slight bumps on the highway at 75 mph. I think it is a series of bumps and not just one single bump. I've also noticed this lateral hop at slower speed (say like 40 mph) on more severe bumps. This is really no big deal but the first time it happened at 75 mph it was quite exciting (a holy shit kinda moment).

I assume this is the normal ride for the TRD but is there something I can do to the suspension to help keep the rear end planted in these situations? I've got Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo tires which I keep inflated to about 30 psi.

Thanks.

- M
- Matt Kane
  
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posted
19 years ago

Wed, Jun 2, 2004 2:35 PM

You're right, that is normal. I've heard some say you can make itbetter with different shocks, but I doubt it will change it much. The real issue is the stiffness of the springs, which are required to keep the load capacity the truck has. Hope this helps.

-Matt

- B
- Bruce L. Bergman
  
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posted
19 years ago

Wed, Jun 2, 2004 3:32 PM

If the bed is totally empty, put a few hundred pounds of weight back there to keep the rear end from launching - problem solved. ;-)

Trucks were built to haul things, and the suspension is deliberately a little on the stiff side with no weight back there. Bagged sand works, but if the bag leaks the paint gets sanded. Wrap it in a tarp, and keep an eye on it.

Or get some storage. A set of bed bins, a tonneau cover or shell, and put your emergency supplies in the back, the inevitable accumulation of other "stuff" will give you some ballast. First aid kit, EMPTY gas can, fire extinguisher, a few quarts of oil and ATF, a wool blanket, a few cans of soup, several liters of drinking water, spare fan belt...

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