4x4 / Off-Road TechThis section contains all discussion related to taking the FJ Cruiser in Off-Road situations, 4x4 applications and any armor modifications.
With a conversation about the military using skinny wheels.....and the battle that persued....I would like to throw in a twist....
Now they(military) use the humvee....37" tires 10.5 wide....and NO solid axles!!!
so why do they use four wheel independent suspension if we all want the solid axle????
With a conversation about the military using skinny wheels.....and the battle that persued....I would like to throw in a twist....
Now they(military) use the humvee....37" tires 10.5 wide....and NO solid axles!!!
so why do they use four wheel independent suspension if we all want the solid axle????
Way to open up another can of worms.
All the tires on the HMMWV's on my base are using the 37 X 13.5 goodyear MT's (Old style, before the MT/R)
and the IFS on the HMMWV's is BEEFCAKE. But I've wheeled with a few real hummers, and they don't have near the flex that an Solid axle does. However, they can move FAST (realitive to the 6.5L diesel ) across the ground, whereas a solid axle would beat the crap out of you.
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Timber Tamers 4x4 Club
"Turning our hubs in, Where others turn back."
Quote:
FJ Tex previously said:
oh and i think i may be wrong about the physics, i think Stephen Hawking may have TSL Thornbirds on his chair.
PHYSICS!?!? what the heck does physics have to do with 4 wheeling!?! i mean come on! how many physicists do you see winning off road competitions? i dont think Einstein ran Krawlers. off-roading is about magic, not physics!
(of course i may have to re think that because i dont think Harry Potter ran Krawlers either)
(if you didnt laugh you missed the point )
also i just thought of somthing else i dont think i saw considered here: overall diameter is really more important than width. i mean 30-inch tire meets t30-inch rock (any rock i dont care pick one as long as its 30-inches) tires lose unless backedup by sufficent components (gearing, lockers engine torque etc) same rock but with 40-inch tires, reduces the need for these helper components because of where the obstacle is met by the tire on its curve. thats why 46" tires take all the fun out of wheeling, there jsut arent many obstacles for that. of course mud and sand and snow are slightly different but... meh...
There's no point in bringing up Harry Potter.
His opinion is biased.
He's sponsored by Maxxis and runs Creepy Crawlers.
With a conversation about the military using skinny wheels.....and the battle that persued....I would like to throw in a twist....
Now they(military) use the humvee....37" tires 10.5 wide....and NO solid axles!!!
so why do they use four wheel independent suspension if we all want the solid axle????
You've seen that system... heck... you OWNED it. Their 4 wheel independent suspension system is from ANOTHER PLANET. It's totally unlike anything that you see on other street vehicles. The independent drive axles dive into the wheel assembly at a 45 degree angle. You could drive a military hummer OVER a guy sipping margaritas in a lawn chair, complete with side table, and not muss his hair.
The military is not looking to rock crawl. They want a weapons grade vehicle which can get people over navigable terrain quickly and without fail, even if riddled with holes.
The hummer specializes in ground clearance. When it needs to articulate, it does a decent job. When it needs more, it flies wheels and keeps going because it's so freakin' wide and long compared to it's height, it's stable.
A Hummer would get wedged in Box Canyon, a trail passable in a Subaru Brat.
A Hummer would probably not be able to navigate the switchbacks climbing out of Martinez Canyon without having to do a 96 point turn each time.
The military doesn't use Hummers for every troop movement... remember, they're just like we are, they're ALWAYS going to use the largest powertool available for the job, whatever the job.
The military moves people into rock crawl territory using HELICOPTERS!
The military moves people into rock crawl territory using HELICOPTERS!
Or, more often than not, on foot. Now THAT'S rock crawlin'!
Well put BellyDoc. The H1 has little actual articulation, but relies more on it's outrageous ground clearance, horsepower, and independent suspension for fast movement, stability, and maneuverability over passable terrain. This is something it is exceedingly good at.
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-Matt
2008 AT 4x4 Voodoo Blue FJ with not enough trail pin-striping
We'll I was afraid to wade in here except to say I have both 12.5" and 10" for my Cruiser. I run both. To put it simply, my skinny STT Coopers are my main winter tire because of the narrow tread makes for a more controllable vehicle on road in sloppy slush (not snow…WET sloppy slush). The 12.5" tires tend to float...no surprise there. Other then that I find that my 12.5" mudders a better off road tire for all applications (yes snow included). I believe it simply has to do with a larger foot print equals more surface area for traction. Some very good info in this thread…..but skinny tires in most places are easier to drive with for the average operator and provide less stress on the vehicle. Which I’m sure is what the US army was dealing with, when you look at the Willys Jeep’s shoes.
I think I am getting tire history overload, there is so much info on the web about tires and companies. it really gets to be a read you do not want to stop, from rubber compounds to tread patterns , ply amounts, radial technology, the list goes on. I can tell you those things are truly researched and developed in a major way. It is really amazing once you get so deep into it.
sounds good, but I was hoping for the best use of Rockwells first.
hah, i ahve seen quite a few rockwells under cars that really dont need them. rockwells are cool for wow factor. but not really necessary until you start running 500hp and 52" tires.
) across the ground, whereas a solid axle would beat the crap out of you.
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