Another Articulation Question (1 Viewer)

[Curran]

Raid,
I live in MD and you're welcome to try driving my truck some day. It isn't an OME lift and I'm not running sway bars, but it will give you an idea of how these trucks will handel on the more aggressive sprecturm.
Dictum has become too aggressive over the past couple of years. It's claiming more and more trucks lately. Freaking locals are trying to keep people off of open trails by removing rocks under the ledge. It's crappy when you're trying to take some one on the easy trail following the obstacle and can't get them over the ledge. But it sucks even more if you're out on a casual ride and run into that at the end of an otherwise easy trail.

Curran

 

[Riad]

You are absolutely right Curran. 3 years ago I almost rolled in the same trail, coming down and had to do this by leaning against the tree. At that time my truck was simply stock. I still think that part of Dictum can be overcome with some lockers, proper weight distribution and articulation. Forgot to mention my OX locker was working on and off (not working properly) at the time I rolled. I live in germantown. I would love to come by and check out your truck. Just let me know when would you like to meet.

Junk, Yes the EVIL Mr. Skinny was to blame to a certain extent but I was pressing on him (evil Mr. Skinny) intetionaly . The thing that bothered me the most is no matter how slow or fast I let the wheels to spin, the truck would slide to the right coming up. I have noticed this for any top heavy truck leaning on any side to any degree. May be it's my misconception. Anyway, The coil spring you see on pic #19 fell off because I managed to brake the bottom shock mounting bolt. So the shock came off first then the coil fell off. It was an easy fix. I ran one of the black trails and some easy trails can't remember the name. Usualy the stock monthly ride folks runs that trail. I know of the trails you are talking about and would like to run those as soon as I build up my FJ80. Now that is some articulation on that 80. I want to get that kind of articulation up front as well. How do I do that? Longer shocks will do that? Ofcourse longer brake lines too.

I need to check out the CLCC in VA. I know they have a membership and monthly meet and greet some where.

Again, thanks a lot guys

 

[Heffenoche]

http://www.clcc.org/

or but further away

http://www.bbrcva.org

 

[Kalawang]

Riad,

I doubt your problem is articulation. It strikes me as being more a matter of center of gravity and driving technique.

Certainly you would improve the extension of your wheels by following Slee's advice to aquire longer shocks in response 4, and response 2 is also to the point, however, a set of tires more suited to the terrain would also do wonders and best of all is to look up some techniques for driving those conditions. Junk sounds as if he would be best able to help in this matter.


Kalawang

 

[Curran]

...Junk, Yes the EVIL Mr. Skinny was to blame to a certain extent but I was pressing on him (evil Mr. Skinny) intetionaly . The thing that bothered me the most is no matter how slow or fast I let the wheels to spin, the truck would slide to the right coming up. I have noticed this for any top heavy truck leaning on any side to any degree. May be it's my misconception. ....

I'm not sure if you were locked up at the time of your roll, but one thing to consider is that lockers are not always your friend, especially on off camber sections of trails. Keeping axles locked on off camber situations induces a cork screw effect that can send your arse end down hill. This can be cool for nifty tricks like a front dig or throwing your tail end around a corner, but for full time 4wd vehicles and/or novice drivers (me included) this is most often an undesireable trait. IMHO, this is the best reason to pony up the extra cash for selectable lockers (or to buy an 80).

 

[sleeoffroad]

Riad, wasn't there so I can not comment. But in the quest for ramp queen articulation, a lot of people build trucks that are really unstable. Side effect of that is that the front end tents to unload when climbing and that is what causes a lot of the back flips.

On the shortbus, we have the springs short, and clamped in, so they have negative spring effect when the front end wants to lift up, and thus pulls the front end down. Lot's of trucks with coil overs on the front want to do that as well. You don't see that happening as much on leaf sprung vehicles as well.

I would take stability over articulation any day.

 

[Riad]

Sleeoffroad, I exactly know what you are talking about. I had rear leaf spring sag, I did have 3 pack add a leaf and was going order my anti wrap 8 pack leafs. I was getting to a point where I would have axle wrap but not close enough. The truck was perfectly leveled. When I would climb up (like Dictum trail), I would see nothing but sky. I saw the shortbus you guys built, looks pretty good. I definitely need stability AND articulation, but not a crazy droop like I used to have.

Curran, that's why I decided to go with an 80 . And yes, lockers are not always your friend, especially when you are on an off camber trail.

Thanks guys

 

[CruisinGA]

Riad- Took a bone stock xterra (w/ MT/s) across a few trails at Tellico last month, stuff that I would not raise an eyebrow at in most any vehicle was a scary-tippy situation with the xterra. I think you'd be best to forget your bad experience with xterras and start with what many have proven really works with 80's- a standard OME lift.

I have 4" of lift in the front, 3 in the rear, and have been driving for two weeks now without either a front or rear swaybar. (front b/c of d-shaft clearance, rear because of a lost clamp). I now have all the parts to put them both back on, but am not in much of a rush because it quite frankly drives fine now. I have not really even had to change my driving style that much, I've driven lots of trucks with swaybars installed that had more sway onroad than the 80 does with OME coils and no swaybars.

(Of course I do not recommend driving onroad without swaybars )

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I understand RIAD's switch to being conservative. It's due to his bad Nissan experience. It's the same bad experience that makes me hesitate about taking the 100 through the Golden Crack. I put a huge V-shaped dent into one side of the front ARB bumper here in AZ and after hours or work, some bondo, and paint, you can't tell, BUT, I'd bet the bumper couldn't take another round of that. This is why I seem wishy-washy on this Moab stuff.

Meanwhile RIAD: While I now have a stiffer-riding 100 I can tell you that after 2.75-3" lift, 35's for 5" up total over stock, even when I had the softer suspension the thing was ROCK SOLID off-camber. On the road, I can drive it like a friggin' sports car at 75MPH and the feeling is confident. Now stiffer, it's even better.

Then there's the 80. While it doesn't handle or drive as well on-road as the 100 I can tell you it's more stable off-road. The undersides do all the work for you and so well it almost takes the driving factor out of it. We call it a billy goat. It's because the 80's so fantastic and does everything on it's own that I keep reconsidering the 100 for Moab. More challenge sounds like more fun though it won't be. The 80 wins out here!

BOTTOM LINE: Like everybody tells me...BRING THE 100 TO MOAB. You're WORRYING for NOTHING! And these guys that have been there know what they're saying. In YOUR case....relax, enjoy, it's little investment to 3" lift an 80. If you don't like it, take 2 hours and stuff the stock parts back underneath. Sell them for almost what you pay for them and you're out very little. Thing is...you'll NEVER rip them back out.

I tried to think of a pic I might have off a bad off-camber situation. I remembered this line that freaked me out. I've been much worse though you usually aren't dumb enough to get out and snap a picture (well, me maybe). No worries RIAD!

 

[wob]

On the road, I can drive it like a friggin' sports car at 75MPH and the feeling is confident. Now stiffer, it's even better.

You are the reason for the www.ESUVEE.com campaign.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

You are the reason for the www.ESUVEE.com campaign.

In the 80...YES
In the 100...NO It has VSC.

 

[NorCalDoug]

... I put a huge V-shaped dent into one side of the front ARB bumper here in AZ and after hours or work, some bondo, and paint, you can't tell, BUT, I'd bet the bumper couldn't take another round of that. This is why I seem wishy-washy on this Moab stuff...

you slapped bondo on your ARB? man...that's kinda sad
:ShakingHeadHungLow:

bondo?

granted the 100 is pretty and I can see the rationale in wanting to repair an ugly, but bondo? I would've filled with metal, ground down, sanded smooth, then repainted.

BONDO?




Bring the 100 to Moab

 

[Tools R Us]

you slapped bondo on your ARB? man...that's kinda sad

The 100 guys are all about the bling!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

you slapped bondo on your ARB? man...that's kinda sad
:ShakingHeadHungLow:

bondo?

granted the 100 is pretty and I can see the rationale in wanting to repair an ugly, but bondo? I would've filled with metal, ground down, sanded smooth, then repainted.

BONDO?




Bring the 100 to Moab

I think he used some bondo?

While decending a very steep slope I was hurried due to oncoming traffic and when I hit the hole in the bottom that I knew existed, a BIG rock (that was put there by some dumb ass to fill the hole for them) flipped up and T-boned a V in my bumper. If this hadn't happened I'd a never given Moab a thought because I always thought the ARB's were pretty dent proof. Because of this I fear the imfamous crack (not dope. Dope = Me ).
Any how, it's fixed and still looks good.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

The 100 guys are all about the bling!

This 100. Yes.

If my next buy is a used 100. Then nope, no bling. The frames will be cut, bumpers fab'd and all kinds of tricks. I'll trash it out there.

Come to CK Saturday!

 

[Tools R Us]

Come to CK Saturday!

I am on for Crown King Saturday, got my box of goodies from CDan. Couldn't go without the new antenna mast!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I am on for Crown King Saturday, got my box of goodies from CDan. Couldn't go without the new antenna mast!

Sweet Kevin!

OK, I guess we should get baxck to Riad?

Riad? You see my point? Without the rock V-dent whatever trip I'd a taken the 100 to Moab and not thought about it. If you never would have messed up your X and then bought an 80 it a had a lift on it in hours. No worries RIAD!

 

[NorCalDoug]

... Because of this I fear the imfamous crack (not dope. Dope = Me )...

Dude. Don't fear the crack. It's really not that big a deal in an 80 or a 100...assuming you're locked.

 

[reffug]

Dude. Don't fear the crack. It's really not that big a deal in an 80 or a 100...assuming you're locked.

Doug fear the crack, fear the crack.

Once your locked into the crack it only gets worse/better.

 

[JerryLX450]

Bondo on the ARB? huh? 1st heard...