Approach Angle - ideas?

[AnthroCruiser]

I've been living in Colorado for about a year now, and havent had much time to get out there with my FJ40, but over the past month or so, i've finally gotten the chance. Around here, and probably everywhere, the backroads that I use often cross dry stream beds. In the spring, the get dug out pretty well... and are only 8 feet across or so, narrower at the bottom, maybe 5 or 6 feet deep. Not really a big deal.

Coming down at a steep angle, though, and then heading up again sharply makes for a very steep effective incline, and my bumper (stock) usually pushes into the opposite bank, as do the shackles.

It hasnt been a serious problem yet, but I can imagine that if i ran across a deeper stream, it would be.

So, I've been thinking about what I can do to optimize my approach angle- the Spring reversal should help with that problem, but that wouldnt help the bumper issue much. Bigger tires would help, im sure.

Has anyone tried to shorten the distance between the front apron and the bumper? It looks to me like the bumper mounts could be moved back 4 or 5 inches on the frame. It seems like, if the space is there, someone must have tried it.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

As Ever,
AnthroCruiser

PS- Im mostly stock. I'm running 31s, and have 2.5" lift skyjackers.

 

[Poser]

Put a solid hanger up front, spring it over, swap the springs end for end, and run some 37's or 38.5's....

Should work well.

Good luck!

-Steve

 

[Mace]

Bigger tires and links.

 

[Poser]

Pretty sweet man!

 

[Isotel]

What poser said, except i only run 35s

i will never have aproach angle issues (probably about 90 Degrees)

where in CO are you, we should run some trails!! we have a plan to go up to buena vista in 2 weeks..

 

[Desertdave]

Cut the bumper

If the bumper only went a few inches past the frame, you'd have some chance of having the tire hit before the shackle hit, if you took it at a sharp angle or turned hard into the opposite bank during the last few inches. I finally whacked the end off of my Con-Ferr winch bumper, even though it wasn't that long, to assist with this same thing. Plus, it's cheap!

 

[Gumby]

Coils, 38.5s and the frame rails cut off a couple of inches in front of the crossmember. Working on a 90+ departure angle next week.

 

[AnthroCruiser]

Thanks for the replies-

isotel, Im in Fort Collins, but I can't do much serious wheeling with 31s I'm getting bigger tires in the fall (i hope), but I'm getting prepared for an engine swap atm. Should be done by the end of august, if I can keep some money coming in My 2F is on the verge of death.

I'm pretty sure I'll do a spring reversal as soon as I get the time and shims.

It just seems like something could be done about that protruding bumper.


Thanks again-

AnthroCruiser

 

[AnthroCruiser]

Mace -

Thats an awesome picture, it looks like you've got the approach problem under control. How did you get your front axle that far forward? Is that just the result of the spring reversal? I know that will move it forward, but I figured it would only be 5% or so (of the length of the spring).

Just curious.

-Anthro

 

[chuglife]

i agree, i think it would be awesome to have the front of the bumper only 3-4 inches away from the apron (for aesthetic purposes) it would also help approach angle

 

[Texican]

SO and flush mount shackle reversal, like mine

 

[Texican]

Mace -

Thats an awesome picture, it looks like you've got the approach problem under control. How did you get your front axle that far forward? Is that just the result of the spring reversal? I know that will move it forward, but I figured it would only be 5% or so (of the length of the spring).

Just curious.

-Anthro

Mace is running coils or coil overs with links, no leafs to stick out, plus he's gay as Liberace.
Butch

 

[72cruiser]

plus he's gay as Liberace.

ha ha...

oh mace, i finally got that seat up here, and i'll try and get some pics finally.
sorry about the wait



malphrus

 

[FJBen]

Hey anthrocruiser, I'm in colorado too...greeley actually...we should definitely go wheel sometime...I'm moving up to 35's and have some 33" swampers if you are interested, I'd give you a great deal on them! If not we should still go wheel!

 

[TJDIV]

Mace is running coils or coil overs with links, no leafs to stick out, plus he's gay as Liberace.
Butch

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262548

 

[AnthroCruiser]

FJBen -

I'm heading out of town for a week and a half on Wednesday, but I'll send you a PM when I get back... i may be interested in those 33s, and as soon as I get my Cruiser rolling again, I'll be looking to break something new

Thanks for the replies everyone... looks like Texican's solution is what I'm thinking about. Does someone have a little extra time and money I could download?

-AnthroCruiser

 

[FJBen]

Cool,

I'll be here, go ahead and email if you want to



If you want any pics or anything.

thx

 

[Mace]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262548

Bitch


And Butch, come on out and I'll personally take you to the Liberache Museum that is about 5 mins from my office

 

[TJDIV]

Bitch


And Butch, come on out and I'll personally take you to the Liberache Museum that is about 5 mins from my office

hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I'm fxxxin' with ya.....you got more Cruiser know-how in your turbo than I do in my entire rig.

(coulda swore I read about it havin' a turbo!)

 

[Mace]

hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I'm fxxxin' with ya.....you got more Cruiser know-how in your turbo than I do in my entire rig.

(coulda swore I read about it havin' a turbo!)

All fun and games


Yep it is turbocharged and propane powered.


Honestly, the best bet for leaf springs is to do what butch did. Spring flip with a Shackle reversal and bigger tires.

Bigger tires make all the difference in the world


You will NEVER have a good approach angle with 31's...