Owl Vans Grenadier Steering Box Upgrade

[Dokatd]

Yep. I came back here to point @Dokatd to that post and procedure. It's what was in my mind when I mentioned thrust angle above.

Except you cannot modify the axle thrust angles. You would have to have cam bolts on the upper links as well.

On the rear axle you only have a single cam bolt on each lower arm. You could attempt to load the rubber bushings I suppose, but you cannot twist the axle housing so thrust angles cannot be adjusted. Even if you loaded the bushings you still won't change the thrust angle. Same applies to the front axle. The upper arms are static and the lowers have a single cam bolt per arm. Maximizing wheelbase via front axle is simply adding maximum caster. Adjusting the rear is just changing the pinion angle.

What I will concede is that preloading the links with the cams may reduce some squirm from differences in torque from being under power and alternatively engine braking.

But that's not correcting thrust angle but rather loading suspension like a nascar so it behaves correctly on each track.

 

[Clark Kent]

Except you cannot modify the axle thrust angles. You would have to have cam bolts on the upper links as well.

On the rear axle you only have a single cam bolt on each lower arm. You could attempt to load the rubber bushings I suppose, but you cannot twist the axle housing so thrust angles cannot be adjusted. Even if you loaded the bushings you still won't change the thrust angle. Same applies to the front axle. The upper arms are static and the lowers have a single cam bolt per arm. Maximizing wheelbase via front axle is simply adding maximum caster. Adjusting the rear is just changing the pinion angle.

I understand the geometry. But apparently there is enough in it to solve crabbing so that's a tweak of the front and rear thrust angles. Have a read of the procedure. If you find your thrust angle is out it may be something that can only be corrected by replacing parts. That sounds like warranty.

 

[Dokatd]

I understand the geometry. But apparently there is enough in it to solve crabbing so that's a tweak of the front and rear thrust angles. Have a read of the procedure. If you find your thrust angle is out it may be something that can only be corrected by replacing parts. That sounds like warranty.

View attachment 7912334

Yeah, I read it and followed it from Zimm when he originally posted.

The document is likely just misworded or it accidentally solves the problem with the act of trying to precision align the back axle resulting in enough bind to reduce the rear bushings compliance. It's certainly possible the bushings are just overly compliant.

 

[C-Mack]

For sure whatever adjustments are possible it’s certainly very minimal and enough in some instances to correct a slight crabbing issue it would seem. How the procedure has you loosening three of the attachment points on each side of the axle including the upper link suggests they are counting on there being enough tolerance stack or free-play at each non-eccentric attachment bolt when you turn the eccentric some very slight longitudinal fore and aft adjustment of the axle can be made.

I bet in many instances there probably isn’t enough movement to correct the thrust angle fully but perhaps enough to mitigate a small issue. Other than that any other fore and aft movement of either side of the axle is simply being taken up by the compliance in the bushings and at that point you’d have to wonder how long the alignment would actually last as the bushing go about their business and flex under load?

 

[MileHigh]

Rear thrust angle…

He-he….

 

[Borg54 (Owl Outdoor)]

Who can install this in New jersey? Do you have anyone or a partnership with? Or do we have to ship trucks out to AZ? Thanks .

Shoot me a DM with your email and we can work on this for you.

 

[Commodore]

I don’t see how the pump is remotely related to return to center. That is a function of low caster and a very strong steering dampener.

 

[Commodore]

Hey All,


Just wanted to jump in and give everyone an update. We’ll be sharing a lot more details shortly. The current listing went up a little early. You’re all right, this is a pump upgrade and software upgrade, not a steering box. We have a full steering box in development. Someone on the web team just used the wrong term.

We’re obviously biased, but we’ve worked incredibly hard on this system, and for anyone who’s driven it, the difference is dramatic. It completely transforms how the Grenadier feels—much more like a modern SUV. You can cruise the freeway with one hand instead of working the wheel back and forth. It performs exceptionally well off-road too, with tens of thousands of test miles both on and off pavement across our vehicles. The INEOS team has driven it and loved it, and we even worked directly with them to ensure full software integration with no error codes.

If you’re curious, we’re happy to offer test drives. It’s one of those upgrades you have to experience to really get it. We’ll have a full video coming soon as well.

You can test drive it at our Anaheim or Phoenix locations now, and soon in Austin (we just haven’t installed it on that Grenny yet). Currently, it has been fully tested and verified on the Grenadier SUV. It should also work well on the Quartermaster, though it may trigger a power steering code until we’ve finished the software for that platform; they’re a little different.

Thanks as always for all the feedback and support. We’re really proud of this one and can’t wait for more of you to drive it.

John & The Owl Team

How much heads up do you need for a test drive? I’m down in Orange County a few days a month and would love to give it a try.

 

[Dlucky]

Hey All,


Just wanted to jump in and give everyone an update. We’ll be sharing a lot more details shortly. The current listing went up a little early. You’re all right, this is a pump upgrade and software upgrade, not a steering box. We have a full steering box in development. Someone on the web team just used the wrong term.

We’re obviously biased, but we’ve worked incredibly hard on this system, and for anyone who’s driven it, the difference is dramatic. It completely transforms how the Grenadier feels—much more like a modern SUV. You can cruise the freeway with one hand instead of working the wheel back and forth. It performs exceptionally well off-road too, with tens of thousands of test miles both on and off pavement across our vehicles. The INEOS team has driven it and loved it, and we even worked directly with them to ensure full software integration with no error codes.

If you’re curious, we’re happy to offer test drives. It’s one of those upgrades you have to experience to really get it. We’ll have a full video coming soon as well.

You can test drive it at our Anaheim or Phoenix locations now, and soon in Austin (we just haven’t installed it on that Grenny yet). Currently, it has been fully tested and verified on the Grenadier SUV. It should also work well on the Quartermaster, though it may trigger a power steering code until we’ve finished the software for that platform; they’re a little different.

Thanks as always for all the feedback and support. We’re really proud of this one and can’t wait for more of you to drive it.

John & The Owl Team

Does it eliminate or lower the stock PSP noise?

 

[INEOS OG]

lets get the owl video out so we can see how it goes...

Exactly. I have looked at what Owl has here and good for them for meeting some kind of need but I didn’t invest in Ineos to have a “modern suv” and 90 plus percent of the “issues” this purports to solve are either intentional (or not) and far more simply solved.

 

[INEOS OG]

Does it eliminate or lower the stock PSP noise?

This should be an Ineos warranty issue. I thought some were being over sensitive until I heard one that was by any reasonable standard not ok.