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Thread: How far can I lean/tilt?

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    Default How far can I lean/tilt?



    So I went and played around at Pole Hill last night and got to a spot on the section labeled "Steep climb" in the Wells book where I was floating/leaning because I had front driver and back passenger tires firmly planted and back passenger in the air and front driver floating/barely touching.

    Here is a photo of me coming up that spot. I'm not leaning in this photo. I was going down on the right side of the trail.



    Pictures sure don't seem like they do justice to the uneven terrain.

    What feels like I'm about to flop over is most likely the tiniest little lean that just feels so unnatural that I'm not sure what to do.

    How far over do I have to lean to actually tip? When I go down a steep hill/mogul/etc. and I end up with one wheel in the air and leaning far to one side, how worried should I be?

    Usually I get out of my jeep and go look at it from the outside and that gives me some more perspective, but when I've got a wheel in the air and another barely touching, it doesn't feel the safest to hop out.

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    I don't know that anyone can tell you specifically how far you can lean over and still be safe. I will say having your Jeep off-camber is not a great feeling, and probably feels worse than it actually is. That said, there are a lot of factors at play, primarily your suspension setup, etc.

    Do you disconnect your front swaybar when you wheel? If not, this will allow your axle to flex somewhat independently of the body. This translates to more traction while keeping your body relatively level on uneven terrain. In the pic below (red TJ, with my swaybar disconnected) you see that my wheels are in contact with the ground and obstacle, while the Jeep is relatively level. Had my swaybar still been connected my body would've been at the same angle as the axle, and I probably would've tipped over:

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    pretty dang far, way past where it feels comfortable. Check out Carl (orange Jeep) at about 50 seconds:


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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    Paul previously posted:
    "way past where it feels comfortable"

    This is definitely how I feel every time. I feel bad for my passenger because I'd rather be on the high side rather than the low side. It feels fine and very difficult to tip from the high side.

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    [QUOTE=alexb;235808] I feel bad for my passengerQUOTE]

    whatever.

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    I can say without reservation that I hate being tippy. Barb & I were up Argentine Pass a couple days ago and got too tippy for me at 25-30° which didn't bother Barb at all. Of course my 4Runner being tippy in no way relates to a Jeep tilt so this comment is worthless!
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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    I have a picture of a Grand Cherokee sitting at a 37 degree tilt. But, like Chris said, somewhere in the 30 degree is getting quite tilted. I tried looking for the picture, but am unable to locate it.

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    alexb previously posted:
    "How far over do I have to lean to actually tip?"

    You can lean until you tip over.

    I know that is not a definitive answer, but there are too many variables in each build to give a definitive answer...Unless you are one of those engineering types, with a busy mind.

    I think you are doing well to feel the tires lift.
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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    Chris previously posted:
    "I can say without reservation that I hate being tippy."

    Me too!!!! That 1st obsacle on Spring Creek always gets my stomach tingling

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    You can buy an clinometer which will give you a guide. You then just need to strap off truck to prevent from actually being able to tip. A winch works good for this cause you can slowly in a controlled manner let it out a little if needed. Then lift the side up slowly with a forklift until it tries to tip, pull it back to forklift and mark clinometer
    http://www.4wheelparts.com/search.aspx?kw=clinometer
    However from that point there are many other variables if you have momentum it can tip from a lesser angle, tire slips, vehicle shifts etc. If you add weight to the passenger compartment that will cause it to tip sooner also.
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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    Spring Creek 1st obstacle gave me a pucker moment last year, at about 2:15
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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    xaza previously posted:
    "Spring Creek 1st obstacle gave me a pucker moment last year, at about 2:15"

    I puckered just watching the video at 2:15. You totally made it look easy after that, though. That obstacle always induces wind-sucking. Agreed with Mike about how so many factors are in play on any given line.

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    xaza previously posted:
    "Spring Creek 1st obstacle gave me a pucker moment last year, at about 2:15"

    That was a close one......

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    alexb previously posted:
    "How far over do I have to lean to actually tip?"

    That's easy- the tipping point is just a function of your center of gravity and inertia! Now the hard part is determining where the CG is vs. your inertia and slope...

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    I too hate being tippy especially now that the truck sits a foot taller than stock and has more flex in the suspension. When we did Miller rock it felt like we were at 45 degrees in a few places but it was more likely about 25. Perception from inside the vehicle is always greater than outside due to having a narrow view of the surroundings.
          

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    I know an FJC can get this tippy before flopping.
         

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    I installed one of these:

    http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Company-20...rds=Clinometer


    it just confirmed how big of a wuss I am when leaning.

  18. The Following 2 Members Say Thanks to Brad For This Post:

    alexb (October 9th, 2013),glacierpaul (July 4th, 2013)

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    I have two of these - one in the center of the dash lean and one by the glove box for incline/decline:

    I think I've been to 25deg on lean. I could see finding a marginal area, set a safety strap in place to arrest a flop and use the winch to pull the jeep to the neutral spot - and record where neutral is. Granted, other factors come into play, but it would give me a baseline.

    EDIT: LOL - now I clicked onto your link!!!


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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    I HATE the tippy feeling. I'll be watching this thread!!!

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    Default Re: How far can I lean/tilt?



    Different trucks can be different - but the terrain and situation can make a lean feel much worse than it really is. I've had my truck to 35° before which didn't feel so good. But then 25° in Moab when you are leaning towards nothing can feel like it's worse than 25°. Some trucks are more top heavy which means your angle is less than other trucks which aren't - so in this case lift actually makes leaning feel worse.

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