I'm not going to get shocks now, but when I do I'm going to be very interested in hearing comparisons between the long travel Tough Dogs and some long travel Radflos. The price is a lot closer than I thought it would be when I recently looked.
Driving 100`s on Washboard Roads
- Thread starter badlander
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I'm not going to get shocks now, but when I do I'm going to be very interested in hearing comparisons between the long travel Tough Dogs and some long travel Radflos. The price is a lot closer than I thought it would be when I recently looked.
i've got OME's and washboards suck. my friend with a GX and the airbags says it's quite smooth for him ... i wonder how the LX's with AHC are?
as for tire deflater I'm using this ARB https://www.amazon.com/ARB-ARB505-E-Z-Deflator-Orange/dp/B004LQCDOA/?tag=ihco-20
as for tire deflater I'm using this ARB https://www.amazon.com/ARB-ARB505-E-Z-Deflator-Orange/dp/B004LQCDOA/?tag=ihco-20
A bunch of us are heading out to Death Valley in Nov and one rig with be an LX with AHC so will get some live data then compared to my Icons.
For tire deflators I use these
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QBPBLWY/?tag=ihco-20
For tire deflators I use these
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QBPBLWY/?tag=ihco-20
I'd think the best we can really hope for is:
Low spring rate, digressive shock valving, balanced droop/compression, low tire psi, sway bars removed (only if LONG day of washboard), good condition bushings, and loud music.
Low spring rate, digressive shock valving, balanced droop/compression, low tire psi, sway bars removed (only if LONG day of washboard), good condition bushings, and loud music.
will you please come play in the dirt wtih me with our cruisers already!
Screwdriver, slow but reliable.
I have the fancy ARB deflator with the gauge... it takes waaaaay too long. I use one of those cheapy piston guages that has the nipple on the back, takes a couple minutes on each tire.
I grew up on a dirt road, washboard's and potholes and ruts and mud and deep snow because the plow never plowed our road...learned to drive on these dirt roads...
How fast were you going? 50-60mph seems to be the best speed. The trick is to skim across the tops of the bumps. If you go fast enough your tires never really go into the depressions and you only feel them slightly.
Any solid axle vehicle is going to want to "walk", this is where independent suspension really shines.
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Thanks for all the replies and info. Some additional info: My OEM shocks only have about 20k on them. Rear springs are 866`s and I am usually fully loaded with airbags at around 25 psi when I end up on these roads. The problem is most of the time when I encounter them there is no way of knowing how long the dirt stretch will be until pavement starts again. And sometimes they are just short stretches of rural roads so airing down is impractical. As far as speed attempts go I've probably gotten up to 30 before calling it quits and slowing back down to a crawl. Can't imagine sticking it out up to 60 mph, I think the truck would explode!
For Tire deflators I am using Staun, excellent quality.
For Tire deflators I am using Staun, excellent quality.
oh man this is great... i've been fighting this problem since i got my LX470, i'm quite disappointed now... i thought it was just my vehicle... now what... my 4runner can tear some wash board up... i'm going to continue to fight it and search for a cure....
14 psi & AHC get us down the washboard in comfort at speed.
Like said above airing does not starts until 20psi.
Like said above airing does not starts until 20psi.
At what PSI would you start to worry about losing the bead? Does it vary for different conditions? What is the max speed you will drive for an extended distance at ~14psi?
On factory wheels I dont worry at all. I have been down to 10 a few times in deep sand but I keep my speed down. As far as distance we recently did some testing and at 14psi we saw safe temps at extended distance on the tarmac at 45mph. On dirt and 14psi I try not to exceed 50mph.
Seen sitting at 14psi and the only Lexus that made it to the top
On factory wheels I dont worry at all. I have been down to 10 a few times in deep sand but I keep my speed down. As far as distance we recently did some testing and at 14psi we saw safe temps at extended distance on the tarmac at 45mph. On dirt and 14psi I try not to exceed 50mph.
Seen sitting at 14psi and the only Lexus that made it to the top
That is really good to know for future reference. Thanks! I tend to air down to about 18, but I believe that I may start to go down to 14-15. Not a huge difference, but every little bit helps. Do you just feel the sidewalls after driving on them for a bit to make sure the tires aren't getting too hot?
The testing above was with temp sensors in the tires. IIRC max temp reached 130°
The only problem I have had with airing down is spinning the tire on the rim so now I have all my tires mounted dry without any lube. I rarely have the problem now.
Airing down makes for excellent traction in the sand or the rocks.
The testing above was with temp sensors in the tires. IIRC max temp reached 130°
The only problem I have had with airing down is spinning the tire on the rim so now I have all my tires mounted dry without any lube. I rarely have the problem now.
Airing down makes for excellent traction in the sand or the rocks.
Awesome! I have never thought about making the request to have the tires dry mounted. Great idea.
Dry mount I will have to try that, at 22 and below I get black rubber dust around the bead. Bet that takes some extra pressure to seat them, good thing they are in a cage when they do.
You have to just drive it up to 60 man, nothing's going to explode. It smooths right out. If I find time th8is weekend maybe I'll make a video.
I have tried different speeds, and you have to be careful in corners at higher speeds, easy to go sideways, don't ask how I know. 