Both my current 97 and my past 97 4Runners have made this absolutely obnoxious noise under heavy winds. Usually only happens on a crosswind, and I have no idea which part of the car makes the noise. At any rate, it drives me insane.

Check out the video (right click, & D/L)-Warning- 20mb
http://homepage.mac.com/neilsarchett/MVI_6506.AVI

In the video, I was towing a heavy arse UHaul across the Salt Lake..O/D off & at high RPM 2500 miles..eek.
Does anybody else notice this on their 4Runners?

 

sounds like wind coming past the weather stripping on the doors. i have yet to hear it on my new 98, but then again, it hasnt been windy (and save for autum, never windy) here.

but deff sounds like air is getting forced through the weather seal and is making it vibrate.

really aweful sound tho!!!

 

It does sound like door seals. Easy way to test- you can either put a bead of silicone on the door (which will pell off easily after the test), or grease up the seals with some crisco cooking grease (not oil). The point is to try to increase compression. Don't mess with moving the lock mechanism inboard as you risk alignment problems with the door.

uberhahn

 

I'd go out and test this, but it *only* happens when I'm driving 70+ in high wind areas...Utah, Wyoming, etc.. I'll have to test it this xmas when I goto Wyoming.