Front Drive Shaft Update

[Dokatd]

Has anyone devised a limiting strap installation to control articulation of the front axle?

Nothing really to devise. Just order a set that fits the shock bolts and go.

 

[Shopkeep]

Nothing really to devise. Just order a set that fits the shock bolts and go.

What length would you suggest, or are they adjustable?

 

[jvkintheusa]

Do we know why only the transfer case side CV is failing? Seems like the angles on both sides are about the same.

 

[Dokatd]

Do we know why only the transfer case side CV is failing? Seems like the angles on both sides are about the same.

The T-case side is about 2.5° more IIRC. It's 100% more, I just can't recall exactly. And that difference changes slightly based on caster and lift.

 

[Dokatd]

What length would you suggest, or are they adjustable?

I believe stock front shocks are about 23" eye to eye. So 21.5" strap would be fine. But likely you will end up with a 21" strap. Several companies will make custom straps, 2" wide is fine and they should sit inline with the shock.

 

[Shopkeep]

I believe stock front shocks are about 23" eye to eye. So 21.5" strap would be fine. But likely you will end up with a 21" strap. Several companies will make custom straps, 2" wide is fine and they should sit inline with the shock.

So you mount the tabs for the limiting strap to the same bolts/nuts used to mount the shock absorber, effectively piggy backing on it? I think the mounting points for the shock absorber are offset by 90 degrees, ie the top mount is east/west and the bottom is north/south, any issues in this case?

 

[Dokatd]

So you mount the tabs for the limiting strap to the same bolts/nuts used to mount the shock absorber, effectively piggy backing on it? I think the mounting points for the shock absorber are offset by 90 degrees, ie the top mount is east/west and the bottom is north/south, any issues in this case?

Yes, that is the simplest method to not cause warranty issues. You can attach to other locations if available but you will have to measure out the strap length at that point.

 

[Tom109]

Has anyone ever measured the actual wheel travel at all four corners?

Think, stock front suspension bind on 90's coil sprung rovers. You could add lift (further binding the front but gaining rear travel) and a locker would push you through.

Is this what strapping the Gren from shocks would do? Put you in a 90's Rover?

 

[LRNAD90]

Has anyone ever measured the actual wheel travel at all four corners?

Metalcloak has put on on their CTI rig..

Email from them states the following:

Stock with sway bar connected, our Grenadier did 532 on the CTI
Stock with sway bar disconnected it did 635
Metalcloak arms, track bars, coils and disconnected sway bars it did 645

A Stock 4 door Jeep JK is 540 for comparison..

 

[TCMColorado]

Metalcloak has put on on their CTI rig..

Email from them states the following:

Stock with sway bar connected, our Grenadier did 532 on the CTI
Stock with sway bar disconnected it did 635
Metalcloak arms, track bars, coils and disconnected sway bars it did 645

A Stock 4 door Jeep JK is 540 for comparison..

Is the CTI score for the Grenadier published somewhere with documentation. It does not appear to be listed anywhere on the Metalcloak website.

 

[Tom109]

Has anyone ever measured the actual wheel travel at all four corners?

For clarity, I meant actually dimensions, e.g. 8" front travel / 10" rear travel. This will show exact effect of limiting straps.

 

[LRNAD90]

Is the CTI score for the Grenadier published somewhere with documentation. It does not appear to be listed anywhere on the Metalcloak website.

They were provided to me via email by Metalcloak..

 

[TCMColorado]

They were provided to me via email by Metalcloak..

Understood. But it is odd Metalcolak does not publish a list of the CTI scores for stock vehicles they have tested. If they want to legitimize CTI as a valid measurement they need to provide data and not just talk about how good it is as a metric.

 

[Tom109]

Isn't like RTI? Only good for rock crawling?

 

[TCMColorado]

Yes, the higher the RTI or CTI score the better a vehicle is likely to be for rock crawling but it is also a good indicator of all around off road capability. Specifically the ability to keep all 4 wheels in contact with the ground in uneven terrain. A vehicle is much less likely to become "stuck" if it does not lift a tire. Higher travel scores reduce the chance of tire lift.

 

[Dokatd]

Love using RTI ramps. They are fun. I have owned several ramps in my lifetime for RTI numbers well into the thousands.

Number one takeaway is that RTI or CTI scores are about worthless. So many factors are much more important.

I was a competitor in IIRC the second Land Rover TwistOff and was considered the underdog by a long shot. Largely due to my lower RTI score and budget build. I still came in second in the Offroad portion and would have made first had I not lost a tire at the end.

Squishy springs don't necessarily make a good truck. And in fact I have proven over and over that fully retained springs on a Rover wheel better than the relocating cones used to get insane RTI scores.

RTI or CTI is a sales tactic, a fun one for sure, but still just a way to convince you to spend your hard earned dollars.

 

[TCMColorado]

Ground clearance, tire size, weight and suspension travel (which when combined with wheel base determines the RTI/CTI score) are the primary factors that determine off road capability. Add center of gravity and front/rear balance and you have most of the picture assuming there is adequate power and low gearing. Shock valving and spring rate are also a factor. But it is misleading to say that suspension travel is unimportant. One of several factors yes, but still a key component of a well balanced rig.

 

[Tenac]

This is getting very similar to a Oil thread or Tire thread....

 

[Dokatd]

Ground clearance, tire size, weight and suspension travel (which when combined with wheel base determines the RTI/CTI score) are the primary factors that determine off road capability. Add center of gravity and front/rear balance and you have most of the picture assuming there is adequate power and low gearing. Shock valving and spring rate are also a factor. But it is misleading to say that suspension travel is unimportant. One of several factors yes, but still a key component of a well balanced rig.

RTI does not account for weight, tires size or ground clearance. RTI is based on height a tire can be lifted without others lifting and then adjusted for wheel base. You could literally start with your vehicles frame on the ground and no tires and still get a relevant RTI or CTI score.

You can also achieve high RTI with zero compression or even zero extension. You can achieve a high RTI with a rigid from suspension and a slinky rear.

RTI/CTI scores are only a tiny fraction of what tells you if a truck is good Offroad.

 

[LRNAD90]

I was a competitor in IIRC the second Land Rover TwistOff and was considered the underdog by a long shot. Largely due to my lower RTI score and budget build. I still came in second in the Offroad portion and would have made first had I not lost a tire at the end.

K.C.? (or should I say "Mighty K.C.")

This One? I can't remember, this may have been the third one. Article is light on photos unfortunately. I'll have to dig back through old magazine articles now, more to come..