Windy Driving
 

My 1997 T-100 is NOT a fun truck to drive in the wind. I'm not exactly sure why, but it's harder to control than my Wife's Dodge Caravan. Shouldn't it be better? It's heavier and I wouldn't think it has as much surface area for the wind to catch.

Besides the handling, when you are driving into 40 mph winds, you really notice the lack of power! I had to turn OD off yesterday.

is it a 2.7L?

3.4
 

Nope, it's the 3.4. I'm not happy with it's performance. I'm thinking about putting the supercharger on it. My wife doesn't like that idea though.

The wind gets underneath it more then the Caravan. That is true for all the higher vehicles I have driven.

Are you the original owner? Has it always been that way? Is the frame straight? Are all the tires identical and not snow tires? Are they all the same mileage, properly inflated, balanced and aligned? Are the shocks still good? Does a full tank of gas help? That's one Toyota I haven't owned, but there are several high-mileage T100 owners here that will know best.

Nope, I'm the 3rd owner. It's done it as long as I've had it. Tires are good, allignment was just done in front of me last week.

You bring up 1 good point. I probably do need new shocks. They are original factory shocks. Any suggestions on new ones?

It's pretty windy in this part of the country too but the wind doesn't really faze my T100. However, it would if I were driving into 40 mph winds. That's a pretty stout breeze!

I like Rancho and Bilstein shocks for a Toyota that sees frequent off road use. For a daily driver and hauler, some Monroe's from NAPA will work well. Keep an eye out for a vendor with a "4 shocks for the price of three" sale.

Im all about Bilstein. I think they are a great shock- and agree with Bagger that if you only ride streets, no offroading, and even not towing or loads in the back-save the money, you wont need the Bilsteins. IF you do carry a load, or take it on the trail now and again, definately spend the extra money.

Bilsteins are about 59.99 a peice-worth it though--ive even seen some people selling this shock for 72.99 a peice. If anyones finds it cheaper then 59, let me know

yep; whether that makes it more or less aerodynamic, it sure isn't fun in a strong wind.

Trailmaster has always been a good shock on my T and is a little cheaper than Bilstein and a little more or about the same cost as Rancho.

You say your alignment is OK. I take that to mean that it's within Toyota's spec's. If your caster setting is on the low end of those specs, that could contribute a little to poor handling in windy conditions. Take a look at your specs and the next time you have an alignment, make the tech hit your numbers. Your caster number should be at or very near the top number within the caster specs and you'll find your truck will track better in windy conditions.

Castor
 

I'll tell you what, the tech that did my allignment was pretty accurate. I watched the whole thing and I couldn't have been more accurate myself.

I think it's a matter of height off the ground, reletively light wieght compared to other trucks and my tires. I'm going to get a set of Toyo's.

Thanks for your input!

I think you misinterpreted my post, as I wasn’t referring to your tech’s abilities in any manner. The tech will adjust your front to the “recommended” specs and it was the recommended specs that I’m referring to. Your vehicle has a "wide" adjustable range that is considered acceptable. On my Tundra the "factory" recommended alignment specs are:
Camber: +0.25 +/- 0.75 degrees
Caster: +1.27 +/- 0.75 degrees
Total toe: +0.09 +/- 0.20 degrees
Here’s what I found ran best when I still had the IFS setup.
Camber: +0.27 degrees
Caster: +2.50 degrees
Total Toe: +0.08 degrees

Here’s what I’m currently running on my Sequoia

Camber +0.10
Castor +3.6
Total Toe +0.07

The Sequoia tracks like it’s on rails and that’s how I like it in a heavy cross wind.
Here’s a couple sites that might help – as we really can “customize” our alignment to how we want the vehicle to respond.

http://www.hunter.com/pub/undercar/2...teeringgeo.pdf
http://www.hunter.com/pub/undercar/except/anim003.htm
http://www.hunter.com/pub/undercar/except/anim001.htm
http://www.hunter.com/pub/undercar/except/anim002.htm
http://www.hunter.com/pub/undercar/except/anim004.htm