ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS is using my 80-Series for test fitment and specifications for their HD 2.5 V.S. Series Piggy-Back Shocks and the recently released V.S. Series 2.0 Aluminum Shock line. Both series of shocks will be available for the 80-Series in the near future, but dates are not set exactly and I will notify everyone through here once they are ready.
Pictured here is HD 2.5 V.S. Series Piggy-Back Shock
My truck going under the knife as they say...
I've known Dylan Evans, head engineer of ICON Vehicle Dynamics since his days at Sway-A-way with his extensive knowledge of both rock crawling and desert off road racing. I was able to give him a different discipline as he built a custom suspension system for my 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Rally Car.
It was an awesome setup with 10" of travel and we used every ounce of it as we where not affraid of jumping our car!
OK, back to the 80-Series:
Look at the bling-appeal ICON has in contrast to the 200,000 miles of crusties.
ICON tested the stock spring rates - Front: 120lbs and the Rear: 160lbs
The springs will be adressed at a later date. It's a process, one thing at a time...
So, a little quick RTI - Ramp Travel Index Testing, the Fork Lift Way...
Rear tire was 27" off the ground.
I was impressed with how well my truck articulates in relitivly stock form, with just the the ICON HD Shocks! I think Dylan was impressed too as he said these numbers where as good if not better than a JK. Either way, I'm stoked!
We tested it with the steering at full lock to check for binding or scrubbing issues.
Then they lifted the front:
Front tires was 26" off the ground.
So, the TRI Score *684 to **691
RAMP TRAVEL INDEX - what it is all about?
Ramp travel index - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HOW YOU MEASURE IT:
The distance traveled up the ramp is then measured and is divided by the vehicle's wheelbase and finally multiplied by 1000 to give a final RTI score. Most stock SUVs have RTI values from 400 to 550, vehicles modified for off-road competition have the ability to exceed 1000.
Ramp Dist Travel ÷ Wheelbase X 1000 = RTI Score
The 80-Series wheelbase is 2,850 mm (112.2 in)
Ramps Distrance [averaged between front 26" and rear 27'] so 26.5" average.
Ramp Dist Travel [26.5] ÷ Wheelbase [112.2] X 1000 = RTI Score 236.18
OK, this is not correct as most stock SUVs have RTI values from 400 to 550.
So a litle more digging and I found the mathmatical way to measure it as we tested it
RTI - THE FORK LIFT WAY:
Found this link: RTI Ramp - Ramp Travel Index Score - What is it, what does it tell you?
If using a fork lift you would measure the distance between the tire and the floor. With this measurement you calculate the score like this: Since a 20 degree ramp rises at .345 inches per inch of travel, divide the height of the lifted tire by .345 (for 20 degrees). Then divide that number by your vehicles wheelbase. Multiply that number by 1000. The result is your RTI score on a 20 degree ramp. While the ramp is a true measurement of your RTI this calculated method is pretty close. The calculator below does the math for you and allows for different ramp angles.
Since a 20 degree ramp rises at .345 inches per inch of travel,
divide the height of the lifted tire by .345 (for 20 degrees).
26.5 ÷ .345 = 76.811594202898551 ÷ 112.2 =
Then divide that number by your vehicles wheelbase.
76.811594202898551 ÷ 112.2 = 0.684595313751324
Multiply that number by 1000.
0.684595313751324 X 1000 = *684.595313751323982
The result is my RTI score on a 20 degree ramp. While the ramp is a true measurement of the RTI this calculated method is pretty close. The calculator below does the math for you and allows for different ramp angles.
RTI Calculator [bottom of page] RTI Ramp - Ramp Travel Index Score - What is it, what does it tell you?
Your RTI score is **691Degrees Tested: @ 20° ramp.
The 80-Series would have traveled: 77.48081660432182 inches up a 20° degree ramp.
More to come!
Dylan Evans of ICON Vehicle Dynamics checking out the suspension on the Axial SCX10.
Testing is comprise of my daily commute driving on the 405FWY, off-road adventures, specific off road testing with the ICON team and specific cycle & fitment-testing on the rig as well as the dyno - shock dyno that is... Testing at current has just been fitment with light ride evaluation base on vehicle weight with bump and rebound consideration.
With the overly worn out stock springs, this has given the shocks a thorough workout, yet the ride has been dramatically improved plus I got about an inch bump in ground clearance! Yes, the stock shocks where TOAST! When I go around turns my mirrors don't drag the ground now and when I cross one speed bump it doesn't bounce like I'm in the whoops of Johnson Valley. NICE! It rides like a real truck should!
Plus, I have a wife and kids so it has to pass that "plush ride test" too! If its too harsh of a ride I will get an ear full!
Future testing will consist of adding different spring weights and heights and more shock tuning with each spring. It's a combination of spring and shock and they must work together, not overpowering one another. The stock Toyota Land Cruiser spring rates are very soft for the US market as Toyota Corp knew most of these rigs would never see a real dirt road.
Pictured here is HD 2.5 V.S. Series Piggy-Back Shock
My truck going under the knife as they say...
I've known Dylan Evans, head engineer of ICON Vehicle Dynamics since his days at Sway-A-way with his extensive knowledge of both rock crawling and desert off road racing. I was able to give him a different discipline as he built a custom suspension system for my 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Rally Car.
It was an awesome setup with 10" of travel and we used every ounce of it as we where not affraid of jumping our car!
OK, back to the 80-Series:
Look at the bling-appeal ICON has in contrast to the 200,000 miles of crusties.
ICON tested the stock spring rates - Front: 120lbs and the Rear: 160lbs
The springs will be adressed at a later date. It's a process, one thing at a time...
So, a little quick RTI - Ramp Travel Index Testing, the Fork Lift Way...
Rear tire was 27" off the ground.
I was impressed with how well my truck articulates in relitivly stock form, with just the the ICON HD Shocks! I think Dylan was impressed too as he said these numbers where as good if not better than a JK. Either way, I'm stoked!
We tested it with the steering at full lock to check for binding or scrubbing issues.
Then they lifted the front:
Front tires was 26" off the ground.
So, the TRI Score *684 to **691
RAMP TRAVEL INDEX - what it is all about?
Ramp travel index - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HOW YOU MEASURE IT:
The distance traveled up the ramp is then measured and is divided by the vehicle's wheelbase and finally multiplied by 1000 to give a final RTI score. Most stock SUVs have RTI values from 400 to 550, vehicles modified for off-road competition have the ability to exceed 1000.
Ramp Dist Travel ÷ Wheelbase X 1000 = RTI Score
The 80-Series wheelbase is 2,850 mm (112.2 in)
Ramps Distrance [averaged between front 26" and rear 27'] so 26.5" average.
Ramp Dist Travel [26.5] ÷ Wheelbase [112.2] X 1000 = RTI Score 236.18
OK, this is not correct as most stock SUVs have RTI values from 400 to 550.
So a litle more digging and I found the mathmatical way to measure it as we tested it
RTI - THE FORK LIFT WAY:
Found this link: RTI Ramp - Ramp Travel Index Score - What is it, what does it tell you?
If using a fork lift you would measure the distance between the tire and the floor. With this measurement you calculate the score like this: Since a 20 degree ramp rises at .345 inches per inch of travel, divide the height of the lifted tire by .345 (for 20 degrees). Then divide that number by your vehicles wheelbase. Multiply that number by 1000. The result is your RTI score on a 20 degree ramp. While the ramp is a true measurement of your RTI this calculated method is pretty close. The calculator below does the math for you and allows for different ramp angles.
Since a 20 degree ramp rises at .345 inches per inch of travel,
divide the height of the lifted tire by .345 (for 20 degrees).
26.5 ÷ .345 = 76.811594202898551 ÷ 112.2 =
Then divide that number by your vehicles wheelbase.
76.811594202898551 ÷ 112.2 = 0.684595313751324
Multiply that number by 1000.
0.684595313751324 X 1000 = *684.595313751323982
The result is my RTI score on a 20 degree ramp. While the ramp is a true measurement of the RTI this calculated method is pretty close. The calculator below does the math for you and allows for different ramp angles.
RTI Calculator [bottom of page] RTI Ramp - Ramp Travel Index Score - What is it, what does it tell you?
Your RTI score is **691Degrees Tested: @ 20° ramp.
The 80-Series would have traveled: 77.48081660432182 inches up a 20° degree ramp.
More to come!
Dylan Evans of ICON Vehicle Dynamics checking out the suspension on the Axial SCX10.
Testing is comprise of my daily commute driving on the 405FWY, off-road adventures, specific off road testing with the ICON team and specific cycle & fitment-testing on the rig as well as the dyno - shock dyno that is... Testing at current has just been fitment with light ride evaluation base on vehicle weight with bump and rebound consideration.
With the overly worn out stock springs, this has given the shocks a thorough workout, yet the ride has been dramatically improved plus I got about an inch bump in ground clearance! Yes, the stock shocks where TOAST! When I go around turns my mirrors don't drag the ground now and when I cross one speed bump it doesn't bounce like I'm in the whoops of Johnson Valley. NICE! It rides like a real truck should!
Plus, I have a wife and kids so it has to pass that "plush ride test" too! If its too harsh of a ride I will get an ear full!
Future testing will consist of adding different spring weights and heights and more shock tuning with each spring. It's a combination of spring and shock and they must work together, not overpowering one another. The stock Toyota Land Cruiser spring rates are very soft for the US market as Toyota Corp knew most of these rigs would never see a real dirt road.
