Steering Stiffer Than F150?

I bought a 2019 SR5 5.7 used with 90k miles. The steering feels a bit stiff to my liking and I’m wondering if it’s normal or something is not right. For reference my last truck was a 2019 F150 stock tires and all and it felt much lighter.

this truck would be perfect if the steering was as light/soft as my F150 was.

the truck has stock size Goodyear Wrangler MTs on it. The tires are really unevenly worn so much so that the steering wheel shakes at high speeds. Wondering if this could also be impacting the steering stiffness.

Dealer said it was fine but I also know that when I bought it they had put the wrong steering fluid in it because when I changed it the steering got much lighter. I’ve changed the fluid several times with the correct fluid and still just feels stiff to me.

Can anyone compare their tundra steering to that of an F150 just wondering if I’m not overthinking it.

 

How’s the alignment

 

Our Tundra and Sequoia feel loosely goosey compared to our F-150.

 

For reference the F-150 does have a light steering feel . My Ram has a light feel too but I think my buddies F-150 is lighter .

 

My tundra is lighter than most anything else I’ve ever driven truck wise including 2 chevys, 2 fords, and 2 dodges. Annoyingly so.

 

My dad has an F150 and his steering is definitely tighter than mine

 

Could be due to the fact that the F150 is Electric steering and the Tundra is Hydraulic. My work F150 is lighter then my 21 tundra.

 

The steering in my '19 Tundra is a bit stiff/harder to turn than the Chevy Z71 & Ford F150 I test rode on the same day. It's also tighter feeling in a good way over bumps, railroad tracks than either of the other two. If you want "light" steering you may be in the wrong truck (based on how mine feels). If you want tight steering and a solid controlled feel (as I did) you've got the right truck but you may need some tires and an alignment.

 

I just rented a 2024 F150 for a seven day period and purposely drove it back to back to my 2020. Simply for comparisons like this.

The F150 was car like and my Tundra was definitely stiffer.

My commuter 2018 RAV4 and definitely my wife’s 2016 Highlander has stiffer steering in comparison to the F150. But I honestly don’t dislike Fords or Toyotas steering characteristics TBH. I got along with the Ford just fine but it’s hands down easier to turn than any of the vehicles I mentioned above.

 

I couldn’t agree more! I feel that the Tundra is more composed.

 

Every recent ford I have owned or driven had steering the felt lighter/more 'boosted' than many other brands. Fusions, explorers, and F150s in the work fleet are all light like that.

 

The alignment is horrible tbh I’ve been putting it off. Would it actually affect the steering stiffness? The tires are the worst I’ve ever felt too the prev owner must have never rotated them they’re choppy as all heck

 

The tundra does handle nicely it feels very stuck to the road compared to my F-150. My alignment and tires are horrible right now maybe that is affecting it too.

 

what year model is your f150?

 

that’s what I was thinking but then I hear some people say their Tundra has super light steering and it makes me wonder if mine is just damaged or the pump is dying.

 

That’s something I love about the Tundra it feels like how trucks used to feel. My f150 felt like a car/small suv. My tundra feels like my 2006 Sierra I used to love so much. It’s like a blast from the past but with some modern upgrades it’s beautiful

 

what year is his f150?

 

I prefer my Tundra as well…just a much tighter feel all the way around. The 2.5 gen is not as archaic as it is made out to be. Especially after driving a BRAND spanking new F150 XLT.

 

Mines an 09 and has a hydraulic pump like the Tundra. My dads 23 F-150 with the electric rack likewise is stiffer than my Tundra.

 

2015 I think? Somewhere around there

 

Horribly worn MTs aren’t helping. Maybe what you’re noticing is those tires fighting you.

Agreed. Mine just feels ultra solid and unstoppable.

 

Mine feels like a marshmallow and aggravates me. I wish I could tighten the front end and steering up.

 

It’s because the tundra is a man’s truck. But also check tire pressure, alignment etc

 

Personally I love the amount of resistance in the Tundra steering. Mine is in the body shop and I've been driving a rental Jeep Gladiator and the electric steering makes it feel like I'm playing an arcade game. Absolutely hate it, can't wait to have my living-room-on-wheels back.

OP get new tires, street tires if you're not actually using them for mudding.

 

yes, alignment and tire condition will affect steering feel. Too much toe in or out can create twitchy, or heavier steering feel.

 

Yes I’m getting some Michelins as soon as these are a little more worn. I never go off road just hauling around tools constantly

 

I care about steering feel alot and a short turning circle.
My Tundra has alot more feel than the new F150 Sierra and new Tundra I drove.
And the turning circle radius is much lower.
When I test drove the F150 and New Tundra on a familiar narrow road 3 point turns were needed with the F150 and New Tundra.
I can pull U turns on this road in my '18 Tundra.
As comparison my 4Runner has Full time 4WD and its feel is twice as heavy as the Tundra.But talk about surefooted on pavement.
The perfect feel for me is that in my '96 993 - but it is also a rear drive rear engine.

The Michelins M+S are awesome we had them for years on my wifes Ridgeline.
It went through snow and mud with them like nothing and never got stuck. Very surefooted. They were the factory OEM tires from Honda.
They also wear like iron - last a long time.

 

Reporting back here is the latest:


Just an update I got new tires, Cooper Discoverer 275/60/r20 and changed out the steering fluid for the OEM fluid. This made a big difference much lighter feel.

These tires are more like a street tire and ride smooth and quiet.
I also got the front end aligned and it was badly out of alignment which helped too.

I am going to see if they can adjust the caster to reduce the caster alignment angle as I heard that will help lighten the steering feel some