Just wanted to give a little background on this before I get to the point. I recently purchased a 2002 4Runner 4x4 w/66,404 miles (one owner) from a non-Toyota dealership (was a trade in). Actually got it about 2K below blue book (excluding tax the price was: $15,990 after negotiation, not bad). The dealership put new brakes on, did a general maintenance check & fixed a couple small issues. However, they missed the fact that the belts needed to be replaced & that the alignment was fixed (note: they corrected this for me w/o charge).

The 4Runner came installed with Manik brand front brush plate. Here is a picture of my 4Runner w/the addition: http://collectiveunconscious.org/4R_Front.JPG (recently put on back protectors to the tail lights).

The thing is, my wife feels that when the 4Runner approaches speeds of 60+ mph that it sort of "handles differently" & does not handle the same as when it is under 60 mph. Myself, I've not noticed this issue. My questions are:

01) Has anyone experienced something similar while using brush plates (and yes they are on tight)?
02) Could this be an issue associated with a used vehicle that I should have the dealer look at while it is still under the limited warranty?
03) Am I missing something?

Thank you for your advice.

 

Could you post more pics of the bar, it looks bent at some areas from the pic given. Well i notice mine changes a bit at around 80mph but not 60, in fact my runner feels the best at around 70mph.
Nice runner though.

 

How much air are you running in the tires? Do you have a copy of the alignment specs?
Both can cause handling quirks. If the caster is too far negative it can make the vehicle loose stability at higher speeds.

 

I will post more pics when my wife gets back from work, it's bad weather here so she drives it when that occurs. This is a pic from the company though: http://www.manik.com/products/?id=3356&rsku=7896

I do not notice shaking or anything with the vehicle. The bar does appear to vibrate some though. Not vibrating that it shakes but more subtle. The bar does have a small dent in the front but not sure if that would make any difference at all.

 

The air in the tires are correct to the specs. I do have a copy of the alignment specs. I could scan them & post if that would be helpful, however, they are now all aligned. I apologize but I do not know exactly what you refer to with the "caster being too far positive"...

 

Caster is one of the alignment adjustments. http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm
When you say the air pressure is "to specs", whose specs are you using?

 

+ Caster will not cause this problem. + caster actually increases the vehicles stabilty. I noticed a similar problem on my 98 SR5 and it ended up being tire related. I replaced the tires and the problem was gone.

 

Sorry got my wires crossed. Corrected original post.

 

Caster definitely WILL affect stability. Look at motorcycles, you get the big choppers with that fron tire WAY out there....you can set that bike going straight, and let go of the handlebars and drive 100 miles with no wobbles...
Now try the same thing with the front tire tucked way up under the bike, close to the rear tire, you would constantly be having to correct.
This is a much more extreme case than any adjustments you can make on a runner, but still....

AS far as your Manik Brush gaurd changing anything, I have a Manik on mine also, I see no effects now that I have it, than when I did not have it.

 

I'm just going to throw this out there, make of it what you will. I had a 2000 2.7 5 speed 4wd Runner and now I have an 02 V6 auto 4wd Runner, one thing that is the same on both is that at 60mph it feels a little different, call it rough if you would like. It will smoth out after 65 but something feels different right at 60. It doesn't shake or handle different, so it is hard to explain if you have never noticed. I always figured it was the 2.7 5 speed 4.56 gearing that was weird at that speed, but the 02 does the exact same thing.

 

jeez, i guess its been too long since i had stock height and street tires..

as long as she moves forward and doesnt make me fight the steering wheel to keep her straight too bad, i am happy