Playing around with articulation, wheel travel, & frame flex.

I wish to share my observations, and open to feedback.
Was having a good day trip on the FSR when I stumbled on a perfect real world "Corner Index Test" or "Cross Axle'd" scenario, that was too good to pass up.

Granted was going up hill, but was a good scenario to see how far I can drive this 12ft section w/o having to use driver skill, and solely rely on the equipment.
Least to say..... didn't even make it past the first set of holes without losing traction.

But! Very cool to see the maximum articulation on my setup, and seeing what I am limited to. (yes my build is not perfect, but im getting there. Wheeling on a budget.)

Here are my observations,
Geometry & Frame Flex
Its very interesting to see the Geometry play out, How the Frame twists and flexes in relation to the Axles, and the flex comparison between the cab side versus the bed side.

How the Front Right is pushing the frame high up, adding a torque(?), weight transfer(?), Something?, to the Rear Left.
Its as if it wants more weight transfer to the rear right with a sway bar.

I guess the open C channel helps flex but lacks in payload capacity(?)

Rear Articulation
Very cool to see the rear axle articulate that far even on TSB Toyota leaf pack. But it didn't touch the bump stop, which is interesting. Time to add in Tibrens or equiv?

Front Articulation
For the IFS w/ no sway bar attached, was very happy to see it use as much compression, and droop/extension it is capable of and it is touching the bump stop, but not compressing it all the way.

To-Do:
Install Rock sliders
Add Timbrens Rear Bump Stop?
Add Rear Sway Bar?
Add Rear Locker?

Technical Notes
For those very technical here are the notes.
V6, 250lbs cargo, Light Drizzle (rained past 2-3 days)
Tires: 265/65 R17 @ 20 PSI
Front: TRD Fox Shock w/1/8th spacer block, No Sway bar, No Locker
Rear: Fox Adv. Series Shock (3in), TSB Leaf Spring (Less than 100,000km), Mechanical LSD, No Locker, and Block.

 

Move rear locker up the list right under sliders

 

Thanks for the observations, personal input and pictures. Nice to have an inteligent discusion here for once. Not another 12 year old asking "what size tire can I run"? Or "why don't I have front axles on my Pre runner"?

I've been wheeling alot of years and have recently been seeing alot more discusion on the benifit of running sway bars. I never really thought about it but was always under the influance to run without out sway bars or at least to disconnect. I now realize, the need for that perfect mix to balance flex to all corners. Alot of variables and outcomes can be dialed in with the right combo. Watching an all out long travel crawler opened my eyes to this.

 

IF you had a rear swaybar in the above scenario, it could have prevented the rear right tire from making the contact that it did. Touching or not, it will definitely limit the rear's articulation.

I 2nd moving the LSD up the list as a priority.