How much drop can a stock FJ handle

Haff · 04-15-2008, 08:08 PM

There is a trail I have the option to take this weekend but I'm told there is a 1.5 foot drop. Is that doable with a stock rig.

Thanks.

homedad · 04-15-2008, 08:13 PM

Yup...lo and slow....

fj6high · 04-15-2008, 08:15 PM

Of course! I drove off something closer to three foot going at twenty mph and bottomed the front out but not to bad!

tibaal89 · 04-15-2008, 09:38 PM

Yes, no problem!

Don't take the edge straight on - you will just lay it down on the frame, or worse scrape along the exhaust crossover or transfer case!

You want to take it at just enough of an angle that one of the wheels goes down, then the other... ideally you want it so that the first wheel hits the low ground just as the next wheel is coming off the edge.

Too little of an angle and you'll drag the undercarriage. Too much of an angle and you'll have unnecessarily prolonged tippines.

As homedad said, put in 4LO and go slow. If you feel the rear wheel come off the ground, DON'T panic and grab at the brakes - that will only make you tip more. Keep it crawling and you'll be fine.

Here is my stock FJ going over a ledge that is about that big in the way I've described...

Briman42487 · 04-15-2008, 09:41 PM

its all about how you negotiate it. get a spotter that knows the trail.

homedad · 04-15-2008, 09:50 PM

Of course....... if you do it wrong.......

tibaal89 · 04-15-2008, 10:40 PM

That was more like three feet, but homedad is absolutely correct!! Perfect example of how you'll just lay the bottom down if you take a tall ledge straight on...

pathrat · 04-15-2008, 11:00 PM

thanks for the hint. I was considering doing Steelbender this summer and was concerned about that drop towards the end. appreciate the help!

tibaal89 · 04-15-2008, 11:14 PM

Make sure you're in a situation where this advice is applicable. This technique should only be used when a) the ledge is large enough that you can't take it straight on without laying the bottom on the ground but b) not so big that you'll flip over!!

Haff · 04-16-2008, 05:08 AM

Quote:

tibaal89 previously said:

That was more like three feet, but homedad is absolutely correct!! Perfect example of how you'll just lay the bottom down if you take a tall ledge straight on...

Did you do that on purpose? And were you able to get out on your own, or did it require recovery?