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

4xoverland
16 Nov 202110:23

TLDRAndrew White from ASPW 4xOverland shares his unique approach to suspension setup for his vehicle, starting with potentially under-specified springs to find the optimal balance with the right shock absorbers. He discusses the common issue of over-specifying suspensions for the heaviest possible load, leading to over-sprung and under-shocked vehicles. Andrew opts for BP51 shocks for adjustable rebound and compression, and variable rate springs from Terrain Tamer for a better ride, especially when less heavily laden. He also mentions the importance of fine-tuning shocks for different load conditions and the need for a conservative approach for safety. The video ends with Andrew expressing excitement about the new suspension system and the improvements it brings to his vehicle's performance.

Takeaways

  • 🔧 Andrew is experimenting with potentially under-specified springs for a vehicle's load to see how it performs when undersprung but with correctly adjusted shocks.
  • 🚗 He is using BP51 shock absorbers which allow for control over rebound and compression ratios, aiming for the best possible ride.
  • 🌐 Andrew's local ARB fitment center assists with his projects, and the parts used are from Terrain Tamer for springs and ARB for shock absorbers.
  • ⛰ The front coils are constant rate, while the fitted Terrain Tamer springs are variable rate, and the rear springs are parabolic, designed for a better ride especially when less heavily laden.
  • 📐 The vehicle stance hasn't significantly changed, which is desirable for a troop carrier that doesn't require a lift.
  • 🔩 Andrew hasn't set the shock absorbers yet, but he likes the BP51s for their adjustability, although承认 they are not the easiest to adjust.
  • 📏 Measurements were taken before and after the suspension upgrade to gauge the amount of lift, which turned out to be within legal limits in Australia.
  • 🚀 The lift resulted in a noticeable improvement in the ride quality, with less road vibration transmitted through the cabin.
  • 🛠 Andrew suggests that while it's important to consider the 'idiot factor' for vehicle overloading, careful suspension setup can avoid the need for overly conservative designs.
  • 🤔 He emphasizes the balance between having a comfortable ride and ensuring the vehicle is not undersprung or underdamped, which could lead to control issues.
  • ✅ Andrew is excited about the new suspension system and plans to continue tweaking and working with it to refine the setup.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of Andrew's experiment with the 4x4 vehicle suspension?

    -Andrew's experiment focuses on starting with a spring that may be too light for the intended load to see how the vehicle performs when undersprung but with shocks that are just right.

  • Why do many 4x4 accessory equipment centers over-specify springs for vehicles?

    -They over-specify springs to cater to the user's heaviest possible load, which often exceeds the vehicle's actual carrying capacity.

  • What type of shock absorbers is Andrew using for his vehicle?

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

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

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

  • What is the purpose of using variable rate springs and parabolic springs in the vehicle?

    -Variable rate springs and parabolic springs are used to provide a better ride, especially when the vehicle is less heavily laden, and to achieve a weight saving of approximately 30 kilograms.

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

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

  • How does Andrew feel about the initial lift measurements of his vehicle?

    -Andrew is slightly concerned as the lift at the back is slightly more than the legal limit in Australia, but he believes the front is close to perfect.

  • Why is it considered better to have a vehicle oversprung rather than undersprung?

    -It is better to be oversprung because undersprung vehicles risk spring and shock absorber breakage, and there's a chance the driver could lose control of the vehicle.

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

    -The main challenge is that they are not designed for easy on-the-fly adjustments and require climbing underneath the vehicle to fine-tune.

  • What is the importance of getting the shock absorbers to do the right amount of work?

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

  • What is Andrew's strategy for adjusting the shock absorbers for different load conditions?

    -Andrew suggests having a setting for heavy and a setting for light loads, adjusting the shocks accordingly when the load changes, and then recording the settings for future reference.

  • What does Andrew believe about the necessity of being conservative with suspension setups?

    -Andrew believes that while it's important to consider the 'idiot factor' and potential overloading, if one knows what they're doing, being conservative to the point of compromising ride quality is not necessary.

Outlines

00:00

🔧 Experimenting with Undersprung Suspension Setup 🔧

Andrew White, a passionate builder of four-wheel drive trucks, discusses an experiment with his vehicle's suspension. Typically, 4x4 accessory centers over-specify springs to accommodate the heaviest possible load, which often exceeds the vehicle's actual capacity. This leads to many 4x4 vehicles being oversprung and under shocked. Andrew, however, starts with potentially too light springs for his load and plans to balance them with BP51 shock absorbers, which are adjustable for rebound and compression. He aims for an optimal ride by ensuring the shock absorbers work efficiently. The video also features the fitting process at a local ARB fitment center, where Andrew's vehicle receives variable rate springs from Terrain Tamer and BP51 shock absorbers from ARB. The goal is to achieve a better ride quality without over-specifying the suspension components.

05:02

📐 Measuring Suspension Lift and Ride Quality 📏

In the second paragraph, Andrew measures the lift on his vehicle after installing the new suspension system. He notes a 60mm lift at the back and a 55mm lift at the front, which is slightly over the legal limit in Australia. Andrew emphasizes the improved ride quality, stating that the vehicle feels much nicer to drive. He mentions that the lift at the back is slightly more than he would prefer, but it's not a deal-breaker. Andrew also discusses the importance of finding a balance between the suspension setup and the vehicle's load, highlighting that an undersprung vehicle can be dangerous. He acknowledges the conservative approach of store owners who prefer to overspring vehicles to account for potential overloading, but he argues that this is unnecessary if the vehicle is properly specified and maintained.

10:09

🚗 Final Thoughts on Suspension Upgrade 🚗

The final paragraph is quite short and does not contain substantial content, as indicated by the single word 'you,' which seems to be an incomplete sentence or a prompt for further discussion. There isn't enough information to create a detailed summary for this paragraph.

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 is experimenting with a suspension setup that may be undersprung for the vehicle's load to find the optimal balance with the right shock absorbers. Suspension is crucial for a comfortable ride and handling, especially for off-road vehicles like the one discussed.

💡Overspecified Springs

Overspecified springs are those that are chosen to handle a heavier load than the vehicle is likely to carry. This is often done to accommodate the heaviest possible load a user might put on the vehicle. However, the host argues that this can lead to a vehicle being over sprung and under shocked, which is not ideal for ride quality.

💡Undersprung

An undersprung vehicle has springs that are too light for the weight they are supporting. The host is starting with potentially undersprung springs to see how the vehicle performs and to find a balance where the shock absorbers can work effectively. This approach is contrary to the common practice of overspecifying springs.

💡Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers are critical components of the suspension system that dampen the effect of road surface irregularities on the vehicle. In the video, the host is using BP51 shock absorbers, which are adjustable for fine-tuning the ride. They play a key role in achieving the best possible ride quality.

💡Rebound and Compression Ratios

Rebound and compression are terms related to the movement of shock absorbers. Rebound refers to the extension of the shock after it has been compressed, while compression is the initial movement of the shock as it encounters a bump. The BP51 shock absorbers mentioned in the video allow for adjustment of these ratios, which affects the vehicle's handling and ride comfort.

💡Terrain Tamer

Terrain Tamer is a brand that specializes in off-road suspension products. In the video, the host uses Terrain Tamer springs, which are variable rate and designed to provide a better ride, especially when the vehicle is not heavily laden. The brand is associated with high-quality suspension upgrades for off-road vehicles.

💡Parabolic Springs

Parabolic springs, as mentioned in the video, are a type of suspension spring that is designed to provide a more progressive rate as they are compressed or extended. These springs are used in the rear of the vehicle and are lighter than traditional springs, contributing to a weight saving and potentially improving ride quality.

💡Vehicle Stance

Vehicle stance refers to the visual appearance of a vehicle's position relative to the ground, influenced by the suspension setup. The host mentions that the vehicle's stance hasn't changed much after the new suspension installation, which is desirable as troop carriers typically do not require a lift for adequate ground clearance.

💡Lift

Lift in the context of the video refers to the increase in the distance between the vehicle's body and the ground, achieved by modifying the suspension. The host measures the lift at the front and rear of the vehicle and notes that the rear has a slightly more than legal lift, which is a consideration in some jurisdictions.

💡Payload

Payload refers to the maximum load a vehicle is designed to carry. The host discusses the concept of uprating the payload, which means increasing the vehicle's capacity to carry more weight. The new suspension system is tested with the idea of not compromising on ride quality while potentially increasing the payload.

💡Ride Quality

Ride quality is the comfort and smoothness of a vehicle's travel on the road. It is a primary concern for the host, who is seeking to improve the ride quality through the new suspension setup. The host notes that the new setup feels much better, with less road noise transmitted to the cabin.

💡Idiot Factor

The 'idiot factor' is a term used by the host to describe the need for conservative specifications to account for users who might misuse or overload a vehicle beyond its intended capabilities. It's a consideration for manufacturers and designers to ensure safety and reliability, even in the face of misuse.

Highlights

Andrew White is experimenting with underspecified springs for a vehicle's suspension to find the optimal balance between spring weight and shock absorber performance.

The goal is to achieve the best possible ride quality without overworking the shock absorbers.

Andrew is using BP51 shock absorbers, which allow for adjustment of both compression and rebound.

Terrain Tamer provides the springs, and ARB supplies the shock absorbers.

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

Parabolic springs from Terrain Tamer are used at the rear, offering a 30-kilogram weight saving.

The vehicle's stance remains unchanged after the upgrade, which is desirable for a troop carrier.

Andrew has not yet set the shock absorbers, but plans to adjust them for optimal performance.

The BP51 shock absorbers are not easy to adjust but offer fine-tuning capabilities.

Andrew measures the lift at the front and rear axles, noting a 60mm lift at the back and a 55mm lift at the front.

The lift at the back slightly exceeds the legal limit in Australia, but Andrew is satisfied with the outcome.

The new suspension setup provides a noticeable improvement in ride quality.

Andrew plans to make further adjustments to the suspension system to refine the ride even more.

The importance of considering the 'idiot factor' when setting up suspensions for vehicles is discussed.

Andrew argues that being conservative with suspension setups may not be necessary if done correctly.

The video concludes with Andrew expressing excitement about the new suspension system and the potential for further improvements.

The video is made possible by contributions from Patreon supporters.