Mod to reduce turning radius?

I had a 3rd gen that turned tight as heck. The new 4th gen is forcing me to make 3-point turns on tight switchbacks on trails. I wonder if the turn-stop on the knuckle could be shaved down to allow a few more degrees of pivot? Hoping the steering rack and pinion has a few extra teeth at both ends...

Thoughts and prayers?

 

bad idea … it’s a bigger truck .. it’s not going to get better turning radius

 

You’re probably limited to the same amount of wheel turning angle as you had in the 3G. The difference being now your wheelbase is 6” longer.

It’s been a while since I looked but are there even steering stops on the knuckle? I thought they’re built into the rack. Anywho, I would not mess with it for fear of over-traveling a component further than it wants to go.

 

The distance between the axles was increased to gain a greater approach and departure angle.

 

In addition to stretched wheelbase -- the 4th gen Jackoma has a LONGER wheelbase than a 2nd gen single cab long bed TUNDRA -- doesn't the 4th gen Jackoma also have a WIDER track width?

 

Ouch bro... If you are ever in the Northern Colorado region. I'll buy you a steak.


One of the points of marvel with Taco is how narrow she was how tight she turned..

 

Despite its overall improvement versus the 3rd gen, the 4th gen design and engineering teams made some had scratching decisions on the turning radius, reduce fuel capacity, and absence of LED DRLs, to name a few. Turning my 3rd gen LB is no picnic in tight quarters as it is.

 

Not happening. Longer WB, plus wider, heavier, and less ground clearance did not a better off road truck make.

 

Turning radius is awful - at least it is for the long bed. My '06 F-150 (super crew/5.5" bed) can make a MUCH tighter turn!

I pulled out a tape measure and found that the Tacoma actually had a longer wheelbase than the F-150, which was surprising to me. Long wheelbase = big turning radius! The Tacoma long bed turns like a freakin' school bus...

My old American trucks usually had adjustable stops which you could adjust for large tires to eliminate rubbing, but I doubt that there is an easy DIY fix to tighten the radius on the new Tacoma.

 

The headlights will probably be the 1st thing Toyota changes, many manufacturers are getting away from the DRL LED blade. Lower trim F-150 and Ram 1500 2025+ have LED reflector headlights that aren't to different from the halogen reflector lamps. Adaptive LED would also be welcome on the Tacoma with auto leveling and turning beams. The turning radius and fuel capacity can't be changed.