Hi - I just bought a '95 4Runner with 117k on it. It has a Pro-Comp 4" lift front and rear, nearly bald (but evenly worn) 33/12.50 Pro-Comp Mud-Terrains, and Trailmaster shocks. Right now it shimmies like a bad hula dancer and wanders all over the place. I've ordered 33/10.50 BFG All Terrains (I want the narrower tires since we live in the snow and I don't want to slide all over) and Pro Comp ES9000 shocks. I'm hoping that once I get good, new shocks and nicely balanced tires on this thing it'll settle down. I noticed in going through the PO's records that after the lift was installed, it was in for alignment several times. Any thoughts on how to keep it aligned with such a big lift? It has had the steering relay rod replaced (about 6k miles ago).

Thanks a lot - have enjoyed reading the forums and look forward to hearing back. You guys are a smart and entertaining bunch.

because that kit keeps the stock angles, it should be a problem aligning it.

find a competent shop.

we are talking about toe, caster and camber, right?

one more thing. maybe you need to replace the worn steering parts like tie rod ends, pitman arm, etc.

ditto upper and lower ball joints.

those can all lead to shimmy'ing...

Hi - Thank you for your reply. I assume you meant "shouldn't" be a problem aligning it? Yes, basic alignment. The biggest problem seems to be camber.

I dug some more and realized the PO had gone cheap on alignment (Sears, Les Schwab...). I called the 4WheelParts store that put the kit on originally and they suggested bringing it to a 4WP store for an inspection and alignment. Expensive, but seems to make sense to me since they specialize in lifts and mods. What's your take?

Go for it; they're a specialty shop for a reason. I don't let places like Midas touch my stuff either.

Cool, thanks guys.

whats the problem with camber?

When I look at, facing the front of the truck, it has pretty obvious negative camber (tops of the tires leaning in toward the body of the truck, bottoms out). All 4 tires are worn a little more on the insides. Right now it pulls to the left and wanders all over the place. Not sure, but it might have a little bump steer? After I put new shocks and tires on it I'll take it to 4WP and have them go through it.

Last time it was aligned, this was the best the tech could do:

LF: Camber -0.5, Caster .1, Toe 1/16"
RF: Camber -0.2, Caster 0.5, Toe 1/16"

how are the steering parts?

the wandering leads me to think they need to be checked/replaced...


pulls to the left could meam sticking calipers. check the brakes.

or a bent control arm in the rear axle. so that the rear axle is no longer parallel to the front.

Thanks. I'll ask 4WP to check all that. Brakes were done about 30k ago by Midas...as I mentioned, the PO went cheap on a lot of things. He did keep the oil changed and made the attempt to keep the thing up, but looking through his receipts it's clear he was more interested in bling than anything else. Thank goodness it's a Toyota...thing is rock solid. I took it out for a little mild wheeling yesterday and had a ball. 4" of lift is a big difference. Places I would have high-centered the Tacoma were no problems. The temptation to abuse this thing is just unfair...better give the keys to the wife and get my own.

Naw, abuse it. Give it hell. Thats the beauty of Toyotas...they can take the abuse! They were built for extreme conditions like dirt roads of Africa and Australia.