Is there a way to stiffen up tundra steering?Compared to my 18 ram feels a lot looser the ram feels

Yes, stock wheels, rims and suspension. If those numbers dont improve the handling then something else is wrong. Hand them over to your tech and tell him those numbers exactly.

 

Yeah I am sure I could get 1/2 more. The adjusters are now on middle setting. Just need to find the shop that will do it. They all only know “it is in spec”

 

This is exactly what I’m talking about and yes a alignment will help tighten it up but it still likes to Wander it’s way too soft. I saw YouTube video of someone put in a ball valve on the supply side of the steering pump and they could control the flow of the fluid making it softer or stiffer but that’s not something that I’m interested in doing as I’m afraid it will burn up the pump. I will replace the OEM swaybar bushings with aftermarket ones hopefully they’re stiffer and they help with the steering a little bit if not I’ll start working my way around the suspension components. My 18 ram 1500 feels like it’s on rails of course I got different tires on it, it’s also lower to the ground

 

Is your front tire pressure too high? Totally flat contact patch?

 

Saw this in my plight for steering perfection sometime back.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Heid...28pF_JjMUzjI8IGgCOLyKL547OfzQW8gaAqAXEALw_wcB

 

How did you like it?

 

I did not try it. Thought it may get rid of overboosted steering.

 

Truck says 49 psi but I run 45

 

Doesn’t the Ram have electric steering? That may be why it feels so much better. My 19 Corolla is electric and feels great where the Tundra is still an old school steering rack.

 

Drive another 2018 Tundra with comparable options from a dealership. Compare the steering. If yours is way loose compared to others, then you might have some sort of issue going on. If it's the same as other tundras, then you have have a preference that doesn't align with Tundras.

 

Lower your tire pressures.

 

But OP probable has KO2 tire option.

 

He has nitto ridge grapplers. I have those and run at 45 psi.

Post #3.

I agree he should drive another tundra to compare. I think he just isn’t used to the way it feels.

 

Yeah see that now. And I agree he should drive a a few more to see. I don’t think anything is wrong, it maybe just the design of the Tundra. My opinion is this is such a good tight truck everywhere except the steering accuracy. So it is most noticeable in Tundra. IMO, going back to the big three, they all have way better road manners. No question for me. Resolve, Tundra is twice the life of those.

 

Yep. It's hard to compare two vehicles that are from different manufacturers and expect them to act the same.


With that said, I've always thought my Tundra has light steering. My tacoma felt similar but never feels like there's an issue on either one. All vehicles have a different steering feel.

 

I would still air them down and see how they feel. I really think everyone is over think this and the issue is just the tires he has installed. They just feel different than the stock tires.

 

Truck came from factory 285/55/20 KO2 I changed them to nittos ridge grapplers same size. Needed a 10ply for towing and they look and perform way better. With that said, the steering has always felt soft. I’ll try the fire pressure and keep ya posted

 

10 ply doesn't increase your tow capacity. The truck is rated to tow based on the OEM tires. I could see going up to LT or maybe even E if you're ripping sidewalls while off road. Maybe the tires are the issue try airing down more. Or you could compare by driving another tundra. I have a feeling its just the way these trucks are though.

 

Many Tundra owners run 10ply when towing larger TTs. The stiffer sidewall keeps the truck more planted on the road and helps mitigate sway.

 

I am due tires. Do You like the nittos better than the bfg’s?

 

I recently switched from 10 ply back to P rated. With tire pressure maxed on the P rated it feels just as planted as the 10 ply. I will admit my trailer isn’t as heavy as others so maybe that is why

 

One thing I can tell you for sure is that moving from the stock standard load tires to E load tires does make it feel less planted on the highway- stock truck. Wanders a little more, like what you described.

 

I felt like my Tacoma wandered and it was really annoying, I was always correcting. I took it to a guy that came recommended by a lot of truck owners and had it aligned. I told him I wanted it to feel more like my old BMW's. After that alignment it was awesome. I have a lot of faith in an alignment done to suite your driving preferences.

I also had the Firestone lifetime alignment, but was never happy with how the truck felt after they got done with it. I suggest finding a specialist and tell him (or her) how you want it to feel.

 

Sounds good Mr. Right. Mind throwing up your alignment chart?
Interested in at least in the caster and toe.

 

@Camprunner - I'll post it up later this evening, but to clarify, this was on my 2018 Tacoma, not my new Tundra.

 

Yes, but curious anyway.
Tks.

 

I know that the 10 ply does not increase total capacity I got them for the stiffer side walls I was also hoping that it would make the truck feel more stable. The tundra doesn’t go off road it might hit a few trails but that’s about it it’s mostly a tow rig. The rig being a grand design 2800bh.

As far as the nittos go they are a lot better looking and performance well in loam and wet weather traction. If you have K02s and it’s raining the wet weather traction is basically nonexistent. I know that all terrain tires are not good in rain but the Nittos seem to do pretty good the only complaint about the Nittos, is that they do feel a little hard meaning when you’re not loaded down pulling a trailer you can feel the bumps in the road more then usual. They also can be loud specially since the cab inside the tundra is not very quiet but I solved that issue by putting a better sound system and a sub in the back, so with that I hardly hear them unless the radio is off.

 

That's just how Tundra's are. I had an '11 and '16 one 2wd and the other 4wd. Both did it. You constantly have to make steering adjustments. No amount of alignments are going to fix this. It's just the way the truck was designed. I did find when I added the rear TRD sway bar and kept the stock front that it reduced a lot of the inputs. However, I ended up removing mine as I didn't like the way the truck road with the bar installed. Different tires can change the inputs as well. Some tires pull to the crest of the roads more. I recently sold the Tundra for a '15 Expedition and the steering wanders a lot less. My '04 Z06 was solid as a rock on the interstate. You barely moved the wheel. They are just differently designed steering systems on different vehicles.

I too had my alignment checked frequently (not monthly) as I used to think something was wrong. You just have to get used to it.

Also, I also had that Firestone alignment policy on my Z06. I used to do a lot of track days and would get alignments after each one as I'd knock it out at Sebring. I can say that if you don't need it don't do it that often. Yes, it's "free" but the techs don't always get it right where you can make it worse from one month to the next, even if everything shows up in the "Green" on the sheet it can be off. I would cut that way back personally.

 

GSU, makes a lot of sense.
It is the design. Probably done to get a tight turning radius. Give to one, must take from the other. I shall leave my alignment alone.