03 4Runner sport with X-REAS

I have noticed an unusual feel even from first test driving the very first 03 4Runners a "side to side" sensation of movement when driving at speed less than 45-50 mph. It seems like the X-REAS is trying to compensate for every undulation in the road. It seems most pronounced on roads which are not necessarily smooth. I seem to be correcting the steering from R to L because of the suspension.

I believe that the handling of the 03 4Runner is quite good compared to my two other 4Runners. In fact better than any one of them.

Does not seem to be a problem on smooth freeway surfaces

Anyone else experiencing this on any 03 4Runner with X-REAS???

 

Jambo, welcome aboard! I drive on paved, rough country roads all the time. One of the many things I like about the 'Runner is it's stability regardless of road surface. No steering corrections required on mine while traversing bumps or changing camber surfaces.

A couple points, though. Be sure to check your tire pressures and wheel lug torque. Mine still had shipping tire pressures all around at delivery, ~50 psi. I've now settled on 40 psi for best all around performance and crosswind resistance. Also, wheel all wheel lugs were slightly loose, requiring about 45 deg rotation of the torque wrench to reach the 83 ft/lb spec'd.

 

BT17R,

My pressure from the dealer was about 37-38 psi cold and I saw your earlier post about 40 psi so I went to it. It felt a little stiffer at first but I don;t notice it anymore. I haven't checked the pressure in a few days but I may go back down to 38 PSI cold.

In general, I have nothing but good thinds to say about the X-REAS and the ride. We have some roads that heavy dump trucks have rutted and I drive in the ruts (waves) and the ride is incredible. Going around freeway on/off ramps and the whole truck stays level no matter what! No steering corrections required.

 

Woodbert, I understand. I preferred the ride quality at 38 psi over any other pressure tried. I use 40 psi, though, because of the improved resistance to crosswinds, something I encounter a lot driving up the Columbia River Gorge where winds routinely gust over 45 mph!

 

The only thing I find interesting with the X-REAS is when I corner the front will not dip into the turn and I slide across the seat, kinda like being in a roller coaster and you hit a turn and slide across

Otherwise I hit some pretty messed up pot holes and really don't feel them and I don't correct and the truck leads an excellent straight path.

Im at 35psi and I might try 40, I rotated my tires at 2000 miles and when I took the lug nuts off they where loose, a 5 year old could have got them off

 

You guys scared me with the lug nuts and tire pressue, so I went and checked. Tight lug nuts, tire pressure 37. Did y'alls dealer show you the check list ? I would be po'd if they sold me a truck w/ loose lug nuts.

Maybe I'll try 40psi and see if I get better MPG like BT17R.

 

EDGE,

I was going to mention the cetrifugal force earlier. You definately can have things sliding around, passengers, unsecured items, etc if your even a little aggressive on a curve or corner but IT WILL NOT DIP!

 

Woodbert
exactly, in my pathfinder I could take an exit ramp on the highway which is a u-turn almost and the front right or left would dip in the 4Runner I can push the truck faster around the turn and it does not dip now to just get some 20's with excellent grip and some sparco seats and we'll see what this truck can really do

 

EDGE,

I picked up a dated (Jan 2001) TRD catalog the other day from the dealer here in Japan. They had the RECARO seats in it for 84,000 yen or about $736!

 

Pretty cool, I have been tryin to get a TRD catalog but so far they have told me nothin for the 2003 4Runner

 

EDGE,

I tell ya, I got the leather seats (first time ever) and I would not trade/change them for the world! They are really comfortable and I can hang on to the handgrip with one hand and the wheel with the other

 

Im keepin the leather seats man, not takin them out

 

ROTFLMAO, your worse than me. I want 3pt belts.