Autoblog Test LX and LC on Ramp

[rscoleman]

Check out article. LC is killer out of box.

Toyota Land Cruiser vs Lexus LX 570 Suspension Flex Test | Measuring suspension articulation on an RTI ramp - Autoblog

We compare the Toyota Land Cruiser and its Lexus LX 570 on an RTI ramp, which measures suspension articulation.

www.autoblog.com

 

[NYC570]

I wish I had a ramp like that to test the writer's theory. This might explain why in some tests the LX RTI closely matches the LCs but on others, like this one, it's lower.

 

[TeCKis300]

Nice article. It just goes to prove how deep the capabilities of the 200-series chassis is. Especially when their scores best those of dedicated Jeep models.

The HE trim with its unique (un-marketed suspension) puts up the best RTI scores yet.

The sport package of the LX is unfortunate when used for RTI because of the clearance issue. Fortunately, we have data to know what a non-sport LX model would do. Still on 21" wheels which is still not ideal.

Now that we also have definitive understanding that the Heritage model has different springs, I wish I could find the data to add to the clearance table here

 

[Madtiger]

TeCKis300...the data on that table you made about clearances makes no sense, conflicting data points.

 

[Madtiger]

But the article is interesting...in HI mode, there is supposedly less articulation in the IFS of the LX570??

So, to maintain good articulation off-road, you need to avoid HI mode?? That sucks If true.

 

[TeCKis300]

TeCKis300...the data on that table you made about clearances makes no sense, conflicting data points.

Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it doesn't make sense. Feel free to provide references. Just as we discussed weight the other day, there's many variables here that you are may not be fully grasping. I know there's some mis-matching data provided by even the manufactures directly, including for the HE. My goal is to distill it down to something useful - despite the sometimes overly simplified data out there without supporting details.

 

[Madtiger]

Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it doesn't make sense. Feel free to provide references. Just as we discussed weight the other day, there's many variables here that you are may not be fully grasping. I know there's some mis-matching data provided by even the manufactures directly, including for the HE. My goal is to distill it down to something useful - despite the sometimes overly simplified data out there without supporting details.

Conflicting data points is NOT me “not fully grasping” anything. They are unreliable pure and simple.

For example, your table shows that 2008 LX has same approach and departure angles as LC of same year, right? Given that both have same tire size (just different rim size), same wheelbase, same underbody......why is the breakover angle so much better in the LX (even in NORMAL mode)??

 

[TeCKis300]

But the article is interesting...in HI mode, there is supposedly less articulation in the IFS of the LX570??

So, to maintain good articulation off-road, you need to avoid HI mode?? That sucks If true.

No it doesn't.

Lift prioritizes clearance. It's asking the suspension to be up on stilts. You can see that the driver side front wheel on the LX, is keeping the tire from full compression - to maintain clearance priority for the sport chin spoiler. Clearance is sometimes at odds with articulation which you can clearly see here.

You can also see from the test I posted, that normal height brings back comparable articulation. Giving up clearance. With a push of a button, choose your poison.

The same might be understood for an LC upgrading their suspension for more static lift. It may very well compromise articulation just as we see here. Heavy spring rates may do the same.

 

[Madtiger]

No it doesn't.

Lift prioritizes clearance. It's asking the suspension to be up on stilts. You can see that the driver side front wheel on the LX, is keeping the tire from full compression - to maintain clearance priority for the sport chin spoiler. Clearance is sometimes at odds with articulation which you can clearly see here.

You can also see from the test I posted, that normal height brings back comparable articulation. Giving up clearance. With a push of a button, choose your poison.

The same might be understood for an LC upgrading their suspension for more static lift. It may very well compromise articulation just as we see here. Heavy spring rates may do the same.

Even in stock HI mode, clearances of LX is not any better than stock LC yet it has worst articulation.

Aftermarket mods are one thing...stock suspension is another.

 

[TeCKis300]

I can't answer all your life questions. I'm bowing out of this conversation.

 

[panerai7]

LX stopped being LC after 2015. Nothing new

 

[rscoleman]

Breakover angle How Break over angle is calculated. The inputs are ground clearance and wheel base. If location for measuring ground clearance differs then you can have differing values.

 

[Madtiger]

Breakover angle How Break over angle is calculated. The inputs are ground clearance and wheel base. If location for measuring ground clearance differs then you can have differing values.

I still think some of those numbers were entered by a pimple-popping cross-eyed kid at some Toyota marketing center.....

 

[rscoleman]

that was funny really funny

 

[95Fantasma80]

Meh we all know the new new LX ruins its approach with that awful grill, show us a 2014 lx instead or how about an after market front bumper as someone taking it off road vs mall will be forced to get if getting 2015+LX.

 

[Madtiger]

Meh we all know the new new LX ruins its approach with that awful grill, show us a 2014 lx instead or how about an after market front bumper as someone taking it off road vs mall will be forced to get if getting 2015+LX.

Well, this is about articulation. In NORMAL mode, LX articulates amazing, easily on par with LC...as evidenced by Edmunds' test. But in HI mode, LX articulates significantly less, mostly at the front IFS...as evidenced by Autoblog article above.

 

[grinchy]

It would be useful and informative for the blogger to have switched the rims/tires between the rigs and remeasured to eliminate any influence from this factor. Why speculate when you can directly test hypothesis?

It would be even more useful to bring a non sport package LX to the party. The model trim is OBVIOUSLY introducing an unnecessary complication to the comparison. The fact that the comparison was then made to an HE is also OBVIOUS. The result is great for blogging, but not particularly fruitful of a comparison. Just get a normal 2020 TLC and normal 2020 LX570 and run it again. Which will result in . . . . the results posted above. Which are essentially identical 647 to 645. I also view the 661 as within error range of the 647 result, different HE rear end or not, it only 14 pts, which is 2%.

If H mode comes with a 10% penalty, that is a shame. Of course, it would need to be compared to a 2 1/2" lifted TLC to see that RTI as well . . . And then you can't compare that same TLC to the LX in Normal mode, because you can't unlift the TLC.

No apples to apples.

Did they put the LX in L range? Because that further increases the H lift, and changes the valving too. . . .

 

[Madtiger]

But remember, the LX AHC HI mode (stock) has no benefit in terms of clearance to a stock LC...you're just lifting to the same clearance as LC. So, no need to compare it to a lifted LC.

 

[grinchy]

Gladiator Rubicon with front swaybar disconnected 607. Without disconnected 458.
Wrangler Rubicon with disconnect 693
Same ramp and assume same blogger.

Edit fix gladiator vs wrangler rti scores

 

[TeCKis300]

Uh, must stay away from commenting on false news because that will just drag me into special olympics like discussions.