SUSPENSION MIX for TROOPY. OME and Terrain Tamer Parabolic | ASPW 4xOverland

4xoverland
16 Nov 202110:23

TLDRAndrew White, a passionate four-wheel drive truck builder and adventurer, shares his experiment with an undersprung suspension setup for his troopy vehicle. He opts for BP51 shock absorbers from ARB and variable rate springs from Terrain Tamer, aiming for a balance where the springs might be too light for the final weight but the shocks are perfectly tuned. The result is a noticeable improvement in ride quality and a slight lift, which is close to the legal limit in Australia. Andrew emphasizes the importance of fine-tuning the suspension for optimal performance and comfort, and acknowledges the need for a conservative approach for those who might overload their vehicles.

Takeaways

  • 🔧 Andrew is experimenting with potentially under-specified springs for his vehicle to see how it performs with the right shock absorbers.
  • 🚗 He aims to find the right balance where the shock absorbers work optimally without the springs being too hard.
  • 💡 Andrew is using BP51 shock absorbers, which allow for adjustment of rebound and compression ratios.
  • 🛠️ The vehicle's suspension upgrade includes springs from Terrain Tamer and shock absorbers from ARB.
  • ⚖️ The new setup is expected to provide a better ride, especially when the vehicle is not heavily laden, and also results in a weight saving.
  • 📐 Andrew mentions that the vehicle's stance hasn't significantly changed, which is desirable for a troop carrier.
  • 🔩 The shock absorbers were not initially set, allowing for further fine-tuning to achieve the best ride quality.
  • 🚦 Andrew discusses the importance of adjusting the shock absorbers for different load conditions and the process of fine-tuning them.
  • 📏 He measures the lift provided by the new suspension setup, noting that it is slightly more than the legal limit in Australia.
  • 🛣️ The new suspension improves the ride quality, with Andrew finding the front suspension close to perfect and the rear very good.
  • ⚠️ Andrew acknowledges the need for a conservative approach in commercial settings to account for potential overloading by users.
  • 🌟 He concludes that with knowledge and care, it's possible to achieve a well-tuned suspension setup without being overly conservative.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of Andrew's experiment with the suspension for the Troopy?

    -Andrew's experiment aims to start with a potentially undersprung spring setup for the vehicle's load and find out how the vehicle performs when the shocks are just right. He wants to avoid having springs that are too hard, which would reduce the effectiveness of the shock absorbers.

  • Why do most 4x4 accessory equipment centers over-specify the springs for a vehicle?

    -They over-specify the springs to cater to the user's heaviest possible load, which in many cases is beyond the vehicle's actual carrying capacity.

  • What type of shock absorbers is Andrew using for the Troopy's suspension?

    -Andrew is using BP51 shock absorbers, which allow for control over the rebound and compression ratios.

  • What are the benefits of having the right amount of work done by the shock absorbers?

    -If the shock absorbers do just the right amount of work, it results in the best possible ride quality.

  • What is the source of the springs and shock absorbers used in Andrew's Troopy?

    -The springs come from Terrain Tamer, and the shock absorbers are from ARB.

  • What type of springs are fitted to the front and rear of the Land Cruiser in Andrew's setup?

    -The front coils are removed and replaced with Terrain Tamer variable rate springs, and the rear springs are Terrain Tamer parabolic springs.

  • How much weight saving is achieved with the new springs compared to the standard ones?

    -The new springs result in a total weight saving of 30 kilograms.

  • What is the legal limit for lift on vehicles in Australia?

    -The legal limit for lift on vehicles in Australia is 50 millimeters.

  • What is Andrew's initial impression of the ride quality after the suspension upgrade?

    -Andrew feels that the ride is much better, with the front being close to perfect and the back very close to the desired setup.

  • Why do some store owners prefer to be conservative with suspension upgrades?

    -They consider the 'idiot factor', where people might overload the vehicle. It is safer to be oversprung than undersprung to prevent potential damage or loss of control.

  • What is the main concern when adjusting the BP51 shock absorbers?

    -The main concern is that they are not easy to adjust and require fine-tuning, which can be a time-consuming process as it involves climbing underneath the vehicle.

  • What is Andrew's final verdict on the suspension setup after driving almost 2,000 kilometers with the old suspension?

    -Andrew is excited to have the new suspension system in the car and believes it offers a significant improvement over the old setup.

Outlines

00:00

🔧 Custom Suspension Experiment for 4x4 Trucks

Andrew White, a passionate 4x4 truck builder and world traveler, discusses an experiment in suspension tuning. He explains that most 4x4 accessory centers over-specify springs to accommodate the heaviest possible load, which can lead to over-sprung and under-shocked vehicles. To counter this, he starts with potentially under-specified springs and BP51 shock absorbers that allow for adjustable rebound and compression ratios. His goal is to find a balance where the shocks work optimally without being too hard, ensuring the best ride quality. He also mentions the importance of fine-tuning the shocks and the process's challenges. Andrew's local ARB fitment center assists him with the suspension upgrade, which includes variable rate springs from Terrain Tamer and constant rate front coils removed from the Land Cruiser. The new setup aims to provide a better ride, especially when the vehicle is lightly laden.

05:02

📏 Measuring the Effects of Suspension Upgrade

Andrew continues his discussion on the suspension upgrade by measuring the lift provided by the new setup. He notes the improved ride quality and reduced road noise transmitted through the cabin. The measurements reveal a 60mm lift at the back and a 55mm lift at the front, which is slightly over the legal limit in Australia. Despite this, he is satisfied with the results, as they provide a more comfortable ride without compromising the vehicle's performance. Andrew also addresses the concerns of store owners who may need to be conservative due to the potential for vehicle overloading. He argues that with proper knowledge and care, it's unnecessary to be oversprung, as undersprung vehicles can be more dangerous. He concludes by expressing excitement about the new suspension system and the journey of tweaking and working with it.

10:09

🚗 Suspension System Fine-Tuning and Future Adjustments

The final paragraph is a brief acknowledgment of the viewer, possibly indicating a continuation of the discussion or further insights in the future. However, as the content is minimal and does not provide substantial information, it's not included in the detailed summary.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Suspension

Suspension refers to the system of springs, shock absorbers, and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. In the video, the host discusses experimenting with different suspension setups for a four-wheel drive vehicle to optimize its performance under various loads. Suspension is crucial for handling and ride comfort, and the video focuses on finding a balance between being oversprung and undersprung.

💡Overspecified Springs

Overspecified springs are those chosen to accommodate the heaviest possible load a vehicle might carry, which can exceed the vehicle's actual capacity. This can lead to a vehicle being over sprung and under shocked, as mentioned by the host. The video discusses starting with a potentially lighter spring to see how the vehicle performs when undersprung but with correctly matched shock absorbers.

💡Undersprung

Being undersprung means a vehicle's suspension is not stiff enough to handle the weight it carries. The host aims to find out how the vehicle behaves in such a state. This is important because an undersprung vehicle can have reduced control and stability, especially when off-road.

💡Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers are critical components of a vehicle's suspension system that dampen the effect of road surface irregularities on the vehicle's body. The host is using BP51 shock absorbers, which are adjustable for fine-tuning the vehicle's suspension performance.

💡Compression and Rebound

Compression refers to the movement of the shock absorber when the vehicle's wheel moves downward, while rebound is the movement when the wheel moves upward. The host mentions the ability to adjust these aspects of the shock absorbers to optimize the ride quality and handling of the vehicle.

💡Terrain Tamer

Terrain Tamer is a brand that provides off-road suspension products. In the video, the host uses Terrain Tamer springs, which are variable rate and designed to give a better ride, especially when the vehicle is not heavily laden.

💡Parabolic Springs

Parabolic springs are a type of suspension spring that has a non-linear spring rate, which can provide a more comfortable ride and better handling. The host mentions using parabolic springs from Terrain Tamer for the rear of the vehicle, which also contribute to a 30-kilogram weight saving.

💡Vehicle Stance

Vehicle stance refers to the overall appearance and posture of a vehicle in relation to the ground. The host notes that after the suspension upgrade, the vehicle's stance has not significantly changed, which is desirable for a troop carrier that does not require a lift.

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💡Lift

Lift in the context of a vehicle's suspension refers to the additional height gained between the vehicle's body and the ground, often for better ground clearance or to accommodate larger wheels and tires. The host measures the lift at the front and rear of the vehicle after the suspension upgrade.

💡Payload

Payload refers to the maximum load a vehicle is designed to carry. The host discusses the importance of considering payload when selecting suspension components, as overloading can lead to a vehicle being oversprung, which can compromise safety and performance.

💡Patreon

Patreon is a platform that allows creators to receive financial support from their audience through monthly subscriptions. The host thanks Patreon supporters for making the video possible, indicating that crowdfunding plays a role in the production of his content.

Highlights

Andrew White shares his passion for building four-wheel drive trucks and traveling to remote locations.

Andrew is experimenting with potentially under-specified springs to find the optimal balance with the right shock absorbers.

He uses BP51 shock absorbers for their adjustable rebound and compression ratios, allowing fine-tuning for different loads.

Andrew emphasizes the importance of shock absorbers doing the right amount of work for the best possible ride.

The front coils are removed from the Land Cruiser, replaced with variable rate Terrain Tamer springs for a better ride.

Rear springs are Terrain Tamer's parabolic design, which are lighter and provide a better ride when the vehicle is less heavily laden.

Andrew notes that the vehicle stance hasn't significantly changed, which is desirable for a troop carrier.

He discusses the challenge of adjusting BP51 shock absorbers, which requires climbing underneath the vehicle.

The lift measurements are taken, with a 60mm lift at the back and a 55mm lift at the front, slightly exceeding the Australian legal limit.

Andrew is satisfied with the lift and the improved ride quality, considering it a significant upgrade from the standard suspension.

He mentions that the standard springs on troop carriers are durable but lack refinement, making them suitable for heavy work rather than comfort.

Andrew plans to tweak the suspension further to achieve the perfect balance between the front and back.

He discusses the importance of handling 'yumps' or undulations in the track, where the vehicle's control and suspension performance are crucial.

Andrew acknowledges the 'idiot factor' and the need for suspension systems to be conservative to prevent overloading and potential safety issues.

He concludes by stating that with knowledge and care, it's possible to achieve a well-balanced suspension without being overly conservative.

Andrew is excited about the new suspension system and looks forward to further testing and tweaking.

The video is made possible by contributions from Patreon supporters, and Andrew invites viewers to join the Patreon family.