Inclinometer - Going to the limit of rolling over.

[RL Lemke]

On the Toyota site in South Africa, I found the roll-over limit and maximum climb angles for the 4th Gen to be 42 degrees. I have a strong sence that my willingness to go to those limits will be outweighed by my desire to live for another day. Anyway here is an easy inclinometer to use: http://www.tiltmeter.com/page12.html

We have all seen the ones with the outlines of a Jeep on the dials, housed in a big box. I have been looking for something a bit easier to use, then remove.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Not bad. The Steel Horse clinometer, see below, is only ~$29. I removed the worthless door under the heat controls and hung it there.

You're very right about wanting to live. I've done off camber at 25 degrees and was freaking out. I've ascended and descended slopes of 35 degrees and they're darn steep plus traction becomes a major issue.

There are flat one dimension stick on versions for under $5. Put one on the door post and one on the dash. I never wanted to look that far away when it's steep enough to care.

 

[Good Times]

I've gotten my pitch angle beyond the 45 degrees that my inclinometer shows. You know you're in bad shape when you see that ball just sitting on the side... I think I have some photos somewhere... Pretty cool but scary at the sametime.

For the rolling angle, I've gone up to approximately 30ish and boy I'm pretty scared crapless so no thanks. I've already had the luxury of almost rolling twice (once in SD and once in Big Bear) so I"m definitely in no rush to get to that point again. Now I freak out once I hit 20 degrees soo...

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

What's tough is pitching at 30+ degrees and then trying to get out to take a picture for everyone. I had a tough enough time on that "little" 20 degree hill pic above of the clinometer, getting in and out.

This pic below is at about 30 degrees and I couldn't have gotten back in even "if" I had I been able to get out. Too muddy.

 

[4RunnerKid]

I've been a good 35-40* rolling. Definitely thought I was going over. Hollister's Jungle Trail... As for pitch, going up doesn't bother me one bit. Going down, on the other hand...

 

[Good Times]

Going down, on the other hand...

What goes up must come down!! Down is definitely scary stuff.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

What goes up must come down!! Down is definitely scary stuff.

That's where a hood scoup comes in handy. You can't see as well how bad you're going to die.

 

[sharp4runr]

That's where a hood scoup comes in handy. You can't see as well how bad you're going to die.

Lol, another great use for the hood scoop.

 

[whitney8]

RL, Nice unit, where did you mount it? Any pics?

 

[RL Lemke]

RL, Nice unit, where did you mount it? Any pics?

No I'm just shopping for now. I was hoping for more options from the list members. I would imagine that the pucker factor will limit just how steep I will attempt at Moab this March. Last year at Moab, slopes that merely interested me on a motorcycle caused me to pucker as tight as the new guy in the prison shower driving the 4Runner.

 

[whitney8]

Last year at Moab, slopes that merely interested me on a motorcycle caused me to pucker as tight as the new guy in the prison shower driving the 4Runner.

I know what you mean, I have gone down some pretty steep stuff on my 620 RXC. Sadly the KTM is gone, so I have to get my off road thrills in the 4R.

 

[KMX3060]

If you read my thread about off road in LA I can assure you that 33% sidehill is very exciting. Especially when you have only had the 4R for two weeks.

 

[schneidermj]

RL Lemke,

That is the cleanest looking clinometer I've seen yet. I've been looking for a while and am not happy with what I'm finding. The "pucker" factor should be a good enough gage, but it is nice to see the true degree of the angle your 4r is at. Rolling isn't as bad if you know it's coming. You can prepare...

 

[Jimbo]

Test Track Limits

My previous vehicle was a Land Rover Disco 2. The dealership in West Chester, PA built a pretty comprehensive offroad track about a year ago. I used to take the kids through on Sundays, when the dealership was closed. They had a true 45-degree lateral bank that would make the kids scream like they were on a roller coaster.

It was funny, because even though I knew the truck wouldn't roll, and I had been through dozens of times, I was still extremely nervous while on the bank. Nothing but ground out the driver's window.

They eventually put up a gate to keep people out during non-business hours. I've often wondered if their doing so had been prompted by an after-hours "incident" involving either an unskilled driver andor a vehicle not up to the task.

 

[schneidermj]

Aren't the 4th gens good for 31 (side to side) and 34 (fore and aft)? I think that's right???

 

[Good Times]

Aren't the 4th gens good for 31 (side to side) and 34 (fore and aft)? I think that's right???

nope if that was the case u'd see photos of me on my side or top :awais:

 

[schneidermj]

What are the numbers then?

 

[Good Times]

I've gotten my pitch angle beyond the 45 degrees that my inclinometer shows. You know you're in bad shape when you see that ball just sitting on the side... I think I have some photos somewhere... Pretty cool but scary at the sametime.

For the rolling angle, I've gone up to approximately 30ish and boy I'm pretty scared crapless so no thanks. I've already had the luxury of almost rolling twice (once in SD and once in Big Bear) so I"m definitely in no rush to get to that point again. Now I freak out once I hit 20 degrees soo...

don't want to go beyond either one of those #'s so... but anyone else is welcomed to try

 

[RL Lemke]

Aren't the 4th gens good for 31 (side to side) and 34 (fore and aft)? I think that's right???

Here are the numbers for the Land Cruiser Prado from New Zealand:
Approach angle - 32 degrees
Departure angle - 27 degrees
Wading Depth - 700 mm
Ramp breakover angle - 20 degrees
Limit angle of vehicle rollover - 42 degrees

Here are the numbers from Australia:
Ground clearance (mm) - 207
Approach Angle (Degrees) - 32
Departure Angle (Degrees) - 25
Breakover / Ramp over angle (Degrees) - 20
Maximum wading depth - 700

Here is South Africa again:
Angle of approach - 33
Angle of departure - 28
Breakover angle - 27
Inclination angle - 42
Slant angle - 42
Wade depth (mm) - 700
The South African 4Runner/Prado has two gas tanks (one is located where we have our spare tire) Fuel tank (litre) - 97
Sub fuel tank (litre) - 83

Canada had nothing to add.

Maybe y'all can find other specifications to confirm the 42 degree maximum.

 

[RL Lemke]

While searching for more rollover specifications I cam across this interesting article:
http://www.car-data.com/xpage.road/rt.template.asp?mfg=toyota&model=4runner-mountain