Please forigve me if this is a total newbie question...

I drive pretty regularly on dirt roads here in Colorado, and many of them are washboarded (if that is a word). My truck (01 4Runner with stock everything) seems to float around the road at speeds above, say...20-25 mph. Is there anything I can do to get it to stick to the road better? Any specific equipment/mod recommendations? It's disconcerting to float a little towards those steep drop-offs on the side of the road, but I hate goin' slow!

 

You might gain some from upgrading the suspension or are you in 2wd? if so slow down.

 

true.

maybe some bigger tires would benefit you as well.

 

I'm always in 4wd when this happens. I've been thinking about upgrading the suspension, and if this would solve the problem, then I'm sold on it. If it really is just a driving issue, then, well...I guess I do need to slow down. I just figured that with some better shocks, I might stick to the road a bit better in these types of situations.

 

BILSTEIN

They will work better on "washboarded" roads then any other shock available.

 

Speaking as a fellow Coloradoan, remember the classic rule for washboard roads, "4 or 40". Either go 4 miles an hour or go 40. 4 will keep you going up and down those damnable and infinitely numerous road mole hills. 40 will make the suspension work and keep you skimming across the tops.
Bigger tires and smoother suspension with less rebound will help too. It's when the tires start hopping that it gets spooky.
One thing I've also found that helps is to every so often, slam on the brakes, skid to a stop, hit the steering wheel and scream. Doesn't help the ride at all, but sure makes you feels better afterwards
I, however, do not recommend this method for places like the Moqui Dugway. Sometimes, you just have to ride it out.

 

I tend to agree with the 4 & 40 rule mentioned above. For ~$1,000-$1,500 in suspension you could make it more like a 4 & 30 rule but that might seem like a lot of $$$ to a lot of people. Bigger tires with lower air pressure will also help but cost an additional ~$500-$700.

If you think you might want to upgrade the suspension try using the search feature and see what comes up. Feel free to ask any other Q's...

 

I would suggest better tires like Bridgestone Revos, BF Goodrich AT KO, or Michelin LTX AT. I believe you'll get better 'bite' on the road with better tires. Stock Toyota tires are a compromise between performance and cost (leaning heavily toward cost savings). When I watch world rally racing they have different tires for different surfaces, so my bet is you'll get better performance than a suspension upgrade. Others may disagree.

 

Lower tire pressure smooths out the ride.

 

I'll bite. I think tires is a last resort as it will only change damping minimaly. The shocks will make the biggest differance. OEM shocks from toyota are crappy.

 

Agreed. I usually run about 20-25 psi for washboard (if not lower). But at that pressure, I can still drive at 55-65 on pavement if needed w/o airing back up. Recently did a trip back to the midwest and I aired down to about 20 psi in eastern CA and stayed aired down until just before the WY border in eastern UT. Was on and off of dirt and gravel roads the whole time, about 1000 miles of driving in all on dirt.

I also find the adjustable Rancho 9000s w/ in-cab controller are nice for washboard, you can dial in the right damping to get a decent ride.

 

Bilstein's would be my suggestion. This was posted the other day and a few of the members have already ordered them. Darn good prices, if you ask me.

 

As others have said, lower the tire pressure ans get some good shocks like Bilstiens.

Frank

 

Bilsteins are great shocks especially compared to stock, but for extended periods on washboards, they don't have the fluid capacity to resist fading. A good set of coil-overs (2.0" or larger with floating piston) up front and settle for Bilsteins/OME in the rear will perform better.

 

Ah - democracy in action. This is why I love Yotatech, lots of great information. By volume of suggestions, this thread seems to indicate tire pressure changes and dampening. Seems logical enough.