HOw to use Approach, Departure and Breakover angles?

[Dansnare]

How to use Approach, Departure and Breakover angles?

I got such great responses to my first post, I figured I'll post again.

I'm brand new to 4WD.

How does one typically use the figures for Approach, Departure and Breakover angles? That is, do you look at an incline and say "gee that looks like 35 degress, I won't make it up" or are they really used more subjectively, as in "well my 4th gen doesn't have as good stats as my 3rd gen, so I'd better be more conservative when going off road?"

Also, how significant are differences in, say, departure angles of 24 degrees, as in the 4th gen, and 27 or 29 degress as I've seen in some Land Rovers or Jeeps? Are those major differences?

Thanks

Dan

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

It's a reference of comparison between vehicles as to their off road worthiness and how bad you might drag the bumpers.

5 degrees is a fair amount in heavy off road stuff.

Mostly, you get out and do it. You'll learn pretty quickly that a 30 degree hill is pretty steep. It doesn't look like it on paper, but try it in your vehicle.

I mounted a Clinometer in mine to see what was actually going on. See just below my A/C controls. It measures 35 degrees side to side and front to back.

 

[live4swell]

how did you mount that clinometer? Did you remove the compartment cover? or it is directly on top of that?

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

It's a SteelHorse clinometer that has a bracket so it swivels. I completely removed the little worthless compartment cover and hung it from the bottom of the compartment cover clip mount bar.

The cover just pulls straight up and off when it's open.

I had to shim the right side under the mount to make it level. The Steelhorse is not adjustable so the angle it faces is important or the dials don't zero out. This spot is the EXACT right angle to see it and zero the dials.

Hard to beat at $19.95. I have two Toyota JDM clinometers and they're to darn big. I like this better and it doesn't impare my view past the dash.

PS, I took the panel off and mounted it with a two screws and nuts so it would not work loose.

 

[Good Times]

approach/departure angles are angles from tire to bumper. This is what you're capable of going over an obstacle before you hit your bumper.

The higher the better.

even if your approach/departure angles are not ideal, there are ways around this. just attack the obstacle at an angle to give you a better angle of attack w/ the tire instead of the bumper first.

the best way to learn how to offroad is to go out on a short outing w/ some people that are experienced and learn from them.

good luck

 

[Dansnare]

Good idea. I'm going to have to find some offroaders.

Dan

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Dan, what part of the country are you in?

 

[Dansnare]

New Jersey

 

[kdmello]

For those who are interested the 2005 4runner has better Breakover angle 28/24 compared to 22 of the 2003, 2004


2005
http://pressroom.toyota.com/presstxt/2005toyotakit/2005_4Runner_s.pdf

2004
http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_release.html?id=20044runner_s

 

[Dansnare]

Why would that have changed?

Dan

 

[Sac State]

Probably repositioning of the tow hitch.