Steer like Xterra

[KleetusVanDamme]

Hello out there! My wife has a 2023 JLU with a 2” lift and MT 35” tires. I drive a 2005 stock Nissan Xterra as my DD.

Wife uses her Jeep as her DD, and when we were out and about yesterday I noticed how she has to really work with the jeep while driving on pavement (much less than when she drove the Xterra).

My question is: Are / do jeeps hand and feel differently than other vehicles?
If so, are there any mods / parts that I can add to make the drive feel safer for her?

Thanks in advance, Marty

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[Ratbert]

A vehicle with a solid front axle (focused on rock crawling prowess) typically won't drive on road as well as one with an independent front suspension (not focused on rock crawling prowess). It's a fundamental decision/compromise that means her Jeep won't drive as well on road as it could if it was less off road capable.

The challenging part is to figure out if hers is actually driving as expected or if there's really something wrong with it.

 

[GATORB8]

Can you describe "really work"? Are you talking about one fingering the wheel on the highway on straight stretches? Steering effort when parking?

 

[autotragic]

Hello out there! My wife has a 2023 JLU with a 2” lift and MT 35” tires. I drive a 2005 stock Nissan Xterra as my DD.

Wife uses her Jeep as her DD, and when we were out and about yesterday I noticed how she has to really work with the jeep while driving on pavement (much less than when she drove the Xterra).

My question is: Are / do jeeps hand and feel differently than other vehicles?
If so, are there any mods / parts that I can add to make the drive feel safer for her?

Thanks in advance, Marty

With a 2-in lift I bet it could use some longer front lower control arms for increased caster.

 

[Apexcars]

1. Yes, Jeeps drive differently. They are solid axle vehicles, very few vehicles on the road now are solid axle. You mostly notice it over bumps and uneven surfaces. Prior Jeeps also had pretty loose steering which made it worse. Then if you start going taler than a stock sport, the front lower control arms are too short and mess up the camber which makes the vehicle not hold a line as well especially on bumps and uneven surfaces.

2. Correct length LCAs and upgraded shocks help a ton with those issues. These are not expensive fixes either. Since doing both of those things my Jeep drives really well, probably not that much different than the Xterra really.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

With a 2-in lift I bet it could use some longer front lower control arms for increased caster.

This ^^

Also keep in mind that the Xterra has independent front suspension. It is completely different than what is on a Wrangler. You can make the solid axle Wrangler better with the above suggestion, getting the camber in the 6 degree range, but it will never drive and handle like an IFS vehicle.

 

[Camaroboi13]

Put the 35s on the Xterra and I bet it’ll feel the same.

 

[Zandcwhite]

1. Tire pressure. Anywhere near the 37psi on the door placard makes the jeep twitchy. For 35s I'd go 32 psi tops
2. As others have said caster. Jeep says 4⁰ is within spec... that doesn't mean good. 6⁰ causes much less wandering.
3. It is still a solid axle so it wont drive like an xterra

 

[dsgrey]

Solid front axle is a plus for some of us. The spouse has only driven my Wrangler once in 5+ years because it doesn't drive like her Honda. Funny how she doesn't complain when I have the top down or we take the Wrangler on long trips because it can hold all the stuff, but she isn't driving.

 

[Old Dogger]

Your Wrangler has a solid axle, plus electronic steering assist. So yes, it will feel different on highway. Experiment with your tire pressure, to see if that helps. Start with 30 psi cold in the mornings, and then work your way up to 35 psi. If that doesn't resolve your issue, then take it to a front end alignment shop. Have them set the Caster to a positive 6 degrees. If you don't already have these, then they will have to install adjustable lower control arms.

 

[RZ.]

Put the 35s on the Xterra and I bet it’ll feel the same.

I never made it up to 35's with this ol' beater -here she is on 33's - but it's true ... the better they are offroad, the worse on.

 

[Ratbert]

Put the 35s on the Xterra and I bet it’ll feel the same.

I'm pretty sure the max you can put on an Xterra (without replacing most of the suspension) is 33s. Even then it'll ride better than a Wrangler on everything but rocks due it having an IFS.

 

[KleetusVanDamme]

Well I guess I have done all I can then. The 2” lift I put in came with LCAs (Mammoth 2-Inch Suspension Lift Kit with Shocks). I will play with the air pressures. I also saw a YouTube clip regarding the adjustable steering stabilizer (specifically this one: Falcon Shocks Nexus EF 2.2 Fast Adjust Steering Stabilizer), but again, I don’t have a clue if this will help much, or be a $400 crapshoot.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for all the excellent suggestions and support.

Regards

 

[Ecorubi]

I 2nd the idea of playing with the tire pressure and maybe consider an aggressive (or not) AT instead of mts for the next set of rubber

 

[GATORB8]

Well I guess I have done all I can then. The 2” lift I put in came with LCAs (Mammoth 2-Inch Suspension Lift Kit with Shocks). I will play with the air pressures. I also saw a YouTube clip regarding the adjustable steering stabilizer (specifically this one: Falcon Shocks Nexus EF 2.2 Fast Adjust Steering Stabilizer), but again, I don’t have a clue if this will help much, or be a $400 crapshoot.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for all the excellent suggestions and support.

Regards

What specifically is your steering concern?

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