Steering Mods?

Does anyone know of any steering mods to make the steering feel lighter in the 2.5 gens? Call me crazy but mine feels a little too heavy for my liking.

Wondering if there is an aftermarket pump or pump adjustment I could make to add pressure?

I’m also not sure if it could be an issue with the pump, rack or cv’s. The dealership said everything looks good but I really don’t like how heavy the steering feels it’s almost like it’s fighting me a little. No sqealing pump noises or vibrations or leaks.
It would be the perfect truck if I could just get the steering to lighten up.

 

I’d prefer the other way. Mine feels way too light. Need some more heft and road feel in it.

 

Maybe you could do some various arm and hand exercises to change your physical strength to make it feel different in your hands. Just a quick thought!

 

Mine feels completely fine to me.

If you think yours is abnormally heavy, test drive other 2.5 gens to compare/contrast.

Different mfg's have different setups. I know Fords are way lighter than Toyota. I personally prefer slightly heavier feel but that's just my opinion.

 

Check your alignment.

 

Exactly. I came from a Nissan Frontier which had much heavier steering. Took a while to get used to this lighter steering.

 

Alignment, tire psi, fluid change, etc.

 

Actually tires can impact this as well, heavier and or wider tires will have a large impact on steering feel. I noticed this myself when switching from 275/70-18 Wildpeaks to 285/75/-18 nokians. While the 285s are an inch and a half taller, they are lighter and have a bit smaller contact patch. So the truck feels much more nimble now.

 

mine is extremely light. Too light in my opinion

 

Mine is very light as well. And the newer Frontier is crazy heavy in comparison. Almost feels like manual steering in tight parking situations.

 

I’m realizing I need to get an alignment I did change the fluid and got OEM fluid from the dealer it definitely helped some but I think the alignment is what I really need

 

Is yours stock?

 

But I want a quick fix! Haha

 

Quick fix...add a supercharger and swap in 5.29 differential gears!

 

Takes too long! Haha

 

This is actually incorrect….

increased positive caster actually causes a heavier steering feel…this is a result of “jacking” where the front inside wheel actually “raises” and the front outside wheel to “lower”.

You’re not overcoming the friction of the steering assy…you’re now transferring the weight of the entire truck…

Great for performance oriented driving, increased steering wheel centering feel…but more input force is required.

 

Thank you for the correction. I updated my post.

Never intentionally "steering" someone wrong.

 

I agree with heavier and wider tires having an impact on steering. Even the type of tire, AT vs all season/highway touring, can have an impact.

For the tire size, if your 285's are taller and wider than the 275's, how is there a smaller contact patch? Larger the tire, the larger to footprint.

 

This was recently posted somewhere and worth the watch regarding contact patch.

https://youtu.be/6wAJAOxh8LE

 

I smoked pot with Mikey Thompson.

 

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.

Next I’m going back in to get them to adjust the caster to lessen the caster as this should also make the steering feel lighter.