Is this too much articulation?

[Dostradamas]

I am curious about too much articulation.
I read about limiting shock travel to get the right amount of articulation.
Is this too much articulation?

Normal ride height: 2 3/4" front / 3" rear

Compressed:7/8" front / 1" rear

Full extension:3 1/4" front / 3 1/2" rear

Should I limit?
How much?
Where?

 

[NorCal 2500HD]

I think you may have the definition of of articulation confused with ride height/ suspension travel.

Ramp travel index - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Ty@Tekin]

Those just show travel, articulation is the front/rear axle twisting relative to each other. I remember reading that when you have too much articulation or "flex" you end up in instances where there is not enough pressure on the tire to keep traction on the surface. Lots of flex looks neat but can actually hurt performance rather than help.

 

[Dostradamas]

I think you may have the definition of of articulation confused with ride height/ suspension travel.

Ramp travel index - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The pics are of ride height, full extension, & full squat to show the rigs suspension travel.

It seems like my rear moves too much (twisting & such) when in the rough stuff, so I thought pics like this would give a good idea of the suspension setup I have.

Do these help?

I am thinking 1/4" -1/2" limiters on the rear shocks is about right to me, I am looking for input on that.

 

[Dostradamas]

Those just show travel, articulation is the front/rear axle twisting relative to each other. I remember reading that when you have too much articulation or "flex" you end up in instances where there is not enough pressure on the tire to keep traction on the surface. Lots of flex looks neat but can actually hurt performance rather than help.

Exactly what I am trying to find out.
Is this too much?
What performance indicates too much?
And since we are looking at those pics.
Ride height suggestions?
Should the links be parallel to the ground at full squat?

 

[Ty@Tekin]

Exactly what I am trying to find out.
Is this too much?
What performance indicates too much?

Usually about a tire's height worth of articulation is normal, some will need more, some will need less. It all depends on how the truck is reacting in certain situations. I messed with it a bit on my old AX10 and found that about a tire's worth was enough for most obstacles but not so much that it got into things where it twisted and bound up on itself. On my 1.9 scaler, it flexes about 3/4" tire height. It's pretty rig specific and also how you want it to feel.

 

[Dostradamas]

Tire height is a good starting point I have not yet heard.
I have way more than that.
Thanks

I will aim for 6" height & I will build a ramp so I can check the Ramp Travel Index, or adjust till it is about a beer can high.

 

[JeremyH]

For a comp truck, yes, that is too much. Like others have said, tire height, depending on the tire. And you might want to get that battery off of the nose of that chassis. Between the front upper links would be a better spot. Opposite the servo on the axle would be the best spot.

 

[Dostradamas]

Not much room on the front axle with the dinky S mount.
So far it drives like I have plenty of weight low & up front to me. What do you think?
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f2bAc7u-ey8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[JeremyH]

You can see the front suspension unload at about 35 seconds. Taking the battery off of the chassis will help to stop that.

Perhaps you can make a plate that bolts to the dinky link and angles down toward the kingpin that you can velcro your battery to...

 

[Dostradamas]

I had a revelation last night while trying to figure a bolt on plate for the front axle.....
Then it came to me.
Dinky is steel! Make a steel plate & WELD it onto the dinky.
Bam! axle mount battery as low as I can get it.

How about side to side test.
Should my truck be able to stand on its wheels flat on their sides without tipping over towards the top?

 

[JeremyH]

Well, a good way to tell if your suspension is unloading or not is to twist it and turn it on it's side, then push the truck and see if it flops over or not.

Here is my procedure:
Get it to stand stable like this with the suspension articulated (obviously on a flat surface though, I just took these pics for an example):

Swift tap to the lower tire:

It should not flop over on its lid:

This is an easily reproducible procedure that will give you an idea of how your suspension unloads when articulated differently front to rear.

 

[Dostradamas]

Very nice.
Thanks

Still too top heavy for sure, it wont stand on the side of the tires without flopping.

I am soo happy with the improvement over the Wraith chassis I was getting dreamy.
Plenty more to do.

 

[theloudone]

for my trucks i usually make sure it can flex its own tire and keep it around that

 

[JeremyH]

Still too top heavy for sure, it wont stand on the side of the tires without flopping.

I'd agree. Tire and Foam setup also plays a hand in that, but yeah, lower your COG.

 

[evan03]

Try@tekin

Knows his stuff.


I was no aware that tekin was a state in Idaho ?

 

[Dostradamas]

I'd agree. Tire and Foam setup also plays a hand in that, but yeah, lower your COG.

Much mental focus on little truck last night.
Knuckle weights, wheels, tires, & foams were a clear next area. I am thinking for tires & foams the CI Boss Claw & DD Foams package is the best bang for my buck & a very popular set up.

I did brainstorm & try a bit of hacking.

 

[JeremyH]

I am thinking for tires & foams the CI Boss Claw & DD Foams package is the best bang for my buck & a very popular set up.

Yep, that's a pretty good setup. "thumbsup"

I was no aware that tekin was a state in Idaho ?

Say what?

 

[evan03]

notice Ty@tekins location says Tekin Idaho.

but what is cool if you google tekin idaho youl have a address in McCall Idaho where there bassed.

sorry getting off topi