Inclineometer

[datrupr]

OK, though not highly neccessary I was wondering where Chris got his inclineometer? I have been looking for one just like it and can not find one anywhere. Chris, can you help me out? Or anyone else? ;)




http://www.bajataco.com/electronics/comm-nav.html

[Nullifier]

I know you can get them on ebay, and TLCA. I think I remember seeing them at my local ace hardware last time i was in there as well.

[flyingwil]

Why do you need one of these?

IMO, I think they are not needed, unless you have a way of testing the roll over breaking point it is pointless IMO. I suppose you could figure it out safely, but the pain and cost in figuring out the roll over point make it an expesive mod. To test it the only way I can think of is find a parking lot and a forklift, load the vehicle the way it will be used (the load will change the CG and therefore the roll over breaking point). The vehicle will also have to have the sliders modified to support the vehilce when it goes over, and a forklift would have to lift the truck on one side until it rolls. A note of where it rolls would be the roll over point, and common sense would say to subract 5-10* for safety and CG changes.

I think a general rule for those not going through the test is not to exceed 30* of bank in either horizontal or vertical directions. Am I correct?

I could be way off on this so don't take my word on anything in this post. I am not to well educated on inclonometers and thought this post might stir up some good discussion on the topic.

Wil

[Nullifier]

You can atually calculate it on level grouns. You need access to some scales but those and a lift can tell you what your CG and roll over points are. I have an article on how to do it if you are interested. I will have to dig it up.

[flyingwil]

You can atually calculate it on level grouns. You need access to some scales but those and a lift can tell you what your CG and roll over points are. I have an article on how to do it if you are interested. I will have to dig it up.


Sweet! If you could dig it up that would be great... I'd love to learn that! Do the scales have to be independant, or can you use a standard truck scale?

[+ d]

How to calculate Center of Gravity and Roll Over Angle (http://www.jeepaholics.com/tech/cog/)


seems like if you did the above exercise and knew your danger zones an inclineometer could be handy early warning devise. i'd probably add in a safety factor of like .75 too.


(totally off subject, but damn, the spell check feature in the google tool bar is slick, no more cut and paste into word)

[flyingwil]

How to calculate Center of Gravity and Roll Over Angle (http://www.jeepaholics.com/tech/cog/)


seems like if you did the above exercise and knew your danger zones an inclineometer could be handy early warning devise. i'd probably add in a safety factor of like .75 too.


(totally off subject, but damn, the spell check feature in the google tool bar is slick, no more cut and paste into word)


Cool thanks for the Link! Very informative and much better than the off the top of my head way of determining it! HA! Boy do I look stupid, eh? Oh well, Like I said I know nothing about them and they seem like a lot of work to figure it out the roll over point.

Wil

[kcowyo]

OK, though not highly neccessary I was wondering where Chris got his inclineometer? I have been looking for one just like it and can not find one anywhere. Chris, can you help me out? Or anyone else? ;)


I'll help ya' Trup -

Lev-O-Gauge at SOR (http://www.sor.com/sor/cat380.tam?cart=04K27kvu.hbs&lpg=%2Fsor%2Fcat379.tam&lpt=1103898728)

Lev-O-Gauge at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AY6VK/103-9996232-5567053?v=glance)

These are really cool, but for the price, you may want to get 2, like my bud Darren has in his 4Runner. (http://www.mycolorado.org/4runner.html) He has one located in the center stack on the dash and a second mounted at the top of his passenger side B pillar. The center one he uses to determine the side to side degree of roll and the one on the B pillar helps determine the angle of his forward pitch. Pretty neat gauges, especially for the price!

[BajaTaco]

Question: do these things only work on inclines?


:D


KC has some great links there to buy. I got my clinometers from 4x4 connection (http://www.4by4connection.com/levogage.html) . I know that Mike at Xtreme Off-Road (http://www.xtremeoff-road.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=146) has them too.

I have mounted one in the center of the dash area, and I stole Darrens idea and put one on the b-pillar too. I think they are fun to check out (if you can remember to look when you are going :eek: ) when on the trail. As was mentioned, I think 30 degrees is a good gauge for crossing the line of *safety* and so if you are feeling really tippy and you look and see you are only at 23 degrees or so... then that can be useful info. Yes, it is mostly seat-of-the-pants due to varying conditions, but I still think it's fun to look at the gauges. If you do get a really good tip going - you can snap a pic of the gauge for posterity. I also use them just about every time I park the truck at camp since I sleep in the back.

http://www.bajataco.com/electronics/meriplat.jpg


http://www.bajataco.com/clinometer-bpillar.jpg

[flyingwil]

... I also use them just about every time I park the truck at camp since I sleep in the back....

Thats a good point I had not thought of! Doh!

[datrupr]

Thanks Chris & KC. I will check them out. Wil, I know that they aren't particularly useful per say, but it is IMO good to know where you are at in off camber situations, plus, it adds to the pucker factor for your passengers to see how much you are leaning. :D

[kcowyo]

Question: do these things only work on inclines?


:D

Is this a trick question?

Similar but different info -

Toyota Trails Tech Editor Roger Brown has some interesting info on Toyota factory inclinometers (http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Clinometer.shtml)

The factory inclinometers, like mine pictured below, only read to 30 degrees. Roger found that he could modify these to measure up to 45 degrees. The most roll I've had mine read was 25 degrees and that was plenty, thank you. I particularly like the altimeter feature when I'm running around the mountains, however I wish that could be adjusted too as it will top out at 10K feet. There are a few trails around here and many more in Colorado, that are around 12K feet in elevation.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/P1010063.jpg

[BajaTaco]

Is this a trick question?




Hmmm... I don't think so (?) :)

I guess what I am getting at, is that if you buy an inclinometer will it only work when you are going uphill? Do you have to buy a declinometer and mount it next to the inclinometer to see how steep the hill you are going down is? :hehe:

I use a clinometer and it's an all-in-one guage. It works both uphill and downhill. :xxrotflma

I know... I'm a smart-:shakin: ! :p

[kcowyo]

You're fired......

[BajaTaco]

:xxrotflma :xxrotflma Dang, I've never been fired!

[datrupr]

OK, I ordered my Lev-O-Guage today from Xtreme Off Road, but I need to know where they are located in Phoenix, does anyone know? I did not want to pay shipping since they are local, I figured I could just go and pick it up and save a dollar or two on shipping.

[BajaTaco]

You would be best off just to give Mike a call ( 602.793.6741 ) and arrange to pick it up. I'm not sure if he actually has a brick & mortar retail location or not.

[datrupr]

Cool, thanks Chris.

[offroad_nomad]

Would you mind posting a couple of more close-ups and perhaps maybe a description of the steel metal mount on top of your dash? I'm contemplating something similar for my 4Runner. Thanks.


Question: do these things only work on inclines?

http://www.bajataco.com/electronics/meriplat.jpg

[datrupr]

Ok, I called him and he told me that he was dropping it in th email, at no charge. He does not quite know yet how to have his web site not offer shipping for Phoenix area residents. So, if any one here in Phoenix orders from him, mark the will pick up button in the shipping options screen and I am sure for the smaller items he will not charge shipping. He is a very nice guy and can be helpful to many of us here. I will give him more of my business deffinately. :victory:

[BajaTaco]

Would you mind posting a couple of more close-ups and perhaps maybe a description of the steel metal mount on top of your dash? I'm contemplating something similar for my 4Runner. Thanks.

I must tell you, that the way the "shelf" is fastened to the dash isn't pretty. I used sheetmetal screws and went right into the dash. This is another classic example of the fact that I intend to drive this truck into the ground, so I don't care about permanently modifying it to suit the functions that I am after. :D If, after hearing that, you still want pics, I will snap some. The sheetmetal shelf is actually just a salvaged piece of HVAC tin that I obtained and immediately saw a good use for.



... He is a very nice guy and can be helpful to many of us here. I will give him more of my business deffinately. :victory:

Yea, I have dealt with Mike quite a bit and have had the same experience. I also was lucky enough to win a set of Staun deflators from Xtreme a few years back. Too cool!

[datrupr]

I also was lucky enough to win a set of Staun deflators from Xtreme a few years back. Too cool!


Lucky....... I wanna win a set of Staun deflators.......PFFFFFTTTTTT!!!!!!! :D

[offroad_nomad]

Thanks.

This is going to sound stupid, but the screws went into the dash and there isn't any kind of backing plate under the dash attached to the screws? Don't know if the Taco dash is similar to my 4Runner, but my dash slopes down away from me towards the passenger side. I'm trying to figure out how to fab a piece of sheet metal so that it will be level on the uneven dash.


I must tell you, that the way the "shelf" is fastened to the dash isn't pretty. I used sheetmetal screws and went right into the dash.

[BajaTaco]

Thanks.

This is going to sound stupid, but the screws went into the dash and there isn't any kind of backing plate under the dash attached to the screws? Don't know if the Taco dash is similar to my 4Runner, but my dash slopes down away from me towards the passenger side. I'm trying to figure out how to fab a piece of sheet metal so that it will be level on the uneven dash.

Hmmm... it sits level, and there is no backing plate that I installed. I think my dash is level at that particular spot in the center.

[flyingwil]

Thanks.

This is going to sound stupid, but the screws went into the dash and there isn't any kind of backing plate under the dash attached to the screws? Don't know if the Taco dash is similar to my 4Runner, but my dash slopes down away from me towards the passenger side. I'm trying to figure out how to fab a piece of sheet metal so that it will be level on the uneven dash.


If your going that route, why not just use some washers to shim it up to level? Chris' (BajaTaco) looks like he covered it up with a dash mat/rug, so the washers would not be noticeable if you copied his mounting. If you are going to fab up a bracket to mount it, why not figure out how to mount it where the dash meets the bezel area?

[datrupr]

I am getting a little irritataed as I orderd the Lev O Guage on the 31st of Oct. and it still has not arrived. I just called Mike and left him a voice mail too see what is going on and why I haven't seen my stuff yet. Hopefully he will get back to me and let me know what is going on here.

[BajaTaco]

I am getting a little irritataed as I orderd the Lev O Guage on the 31st of Oct. and it still has not arrived. I just called Mike and left him a voice mail too see what is going on and why I haven't seen my stuff yet. Hopefully he will get back to me and let me know what is going on here.

Almost a month, that's no good! I'm sure Mike will call you and take care of it.

[datrupr]

Yeah, I figured he would, I am just waiting for his call back now. He is probably pretty busy.

[jeffryscott]

Aaron, you mentioned he dropped it in the Email in an earlier post, maybe that's the problem ... :D

couldn't resist ...

Jeff

[datrupr]

Ok Jeff, don't be picking on me now for all of my typos..... As mos tof you have probably already read on some of my posts, I am the typo king around here. :D


pack on topic, I still have not heard back form him.

[datrupr]

Well, I finally got a hold of Mike and he swears he dropped inthe mail to me. It still has not arrived via USPS, however, Mike was kind enough to take time out of his day to drop one by my office, so that made me very happy:D He also told me that if the other one does show up that it is mine to keep, so if it does show that will be cool as I have been thinking of getting another one anyway. But I will not hold my breath as it has been well over a month now and still no sign of it in the mail. No I am just wondering where to mount it in the Trooper. I have a couple of ideas but if anyone has any suggestions I am willing to listen.

[HenryJ]

I realize this thread is a dusty one, but though I would add to it.

I have been watching stock altimeter/clinometers for a year and a half now. I managed to pick this one up on ebay for a good price. It arrived last week and I finally got around to cleaning, modding, and installing.

The altimeter / clinometer arrived from New Zeland. Packed well and delivered quickly.
I had been watching these for a long time. The gray ones that would match my interior kept going well above what I wanted to pay. Finally I found this one-

http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10006/normal_ff_12.JPG

It is listed as fitting Toyota pickup & 4 Runner '89 - '96. From the picture I had an idea that I might be able to either "re-dye" , remove the color, or at the very least paint to match. Fortunately the plastic was gray and the paint easily removed with some paint remover and a tooth brush :victory:

Three holes in the dash pad. Trimming the housing to match the dash contour and wired to the rear hatch dash light wiring-

http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10006/alti.jpg http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10006/altim.jpg

Works great and looks stock :D

[devinsixtyseven]

looks nice :D. wherdja get'er? parts recycler, ebay, etc?

[HenryJ]

looks nice :D. wherdja get'er? parts recycler, ebay, etc?
Ebay. I have been watching for about 16 months now. There are quite a few different styles. This rounded version fits the lines of my interior the best.

Most of them were selling well over $200 when I first started watching. The last six months or so the nice gray units with alt. and clin. were down around $110-$150. That was still twice what I was willing to pay.
The "off" color units always seem to sell quite a bit cheaper. Now that I know I am able to change that pretty easily, I wish I had bought one of them sooner :D I passed on some really inexpensive deals, but didn't want red or brown. Watch out for those really cheap, damaged or sets without the altimeter.

There were a couple different people selling them from New Zeland. They always seem to have one for sale.
Mine came from ebay seller tuatara_jdm (danlruck@yahoo.co.nz) . Communication was good. It was packed really well, and arrived quickly. Good to do business with.

[jeffryscott]

reviving this thread a bit, I've seen a few people who have put the Toyota factory inclinometer in a DIN opening ... has anybody here done that?

I've been thinking about this install, but truthfully a levo-guage would be cheaper and easier, then I could save that spot for a 2m ... hmmm.

[tdesanto]

I realize this thread is a dusty one, but though I would add to it.

I have been watching stock altimeter/clinometers for a year and a half now. I managed to pick this one up on ebay for a good price. It arrived last week and I finally got around to cleaning, modding, and installing.

The altimeter / clinometer arrived from New Zeland. Packed well and delivered quickly.
I had been watching these for a long time. The gray ones that would match my interior kept going well above what I wanted to pay. Finally I found this one-

http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10006/normal_ff_12.JPG

It is listed as fitting Toyota pickup & 4 Runner '89 - '96. From the picture I had an idea that I might be able to either "re-dye" , remove the color, or at the very least paint to match. Fortunately the plastic was gray and the paint easily removed with some paint remover and a tooth brush :victory:

Three holes in the dash pad. Trimming the housing to match the dash contour and wired to the rear hatch dash light wiring-

http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10006/alti.jpg http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10006/altim.jpg

Works great and looks stock :D

I used to have something similar in my '94 Montero; however, Mitsubishi did away with that in the newer models.

So, since I miss having the clinometer, I've been trying to find something that looks as good as this one.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I searched the seller on Ebay where this one was purchased and it wasn't available.

All I've been able to find on the net are these:

http://www.tellico4x4.com/product_info.php/cPath/40_422_2132/products_id/25323

http://www.tellico4x4.com/product_info.php/cPath/40_422_2132/products_id/14427

I'm not sure about the quality of these as they seem a little cheap. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Many thanks,

TD

[Beowulf]

I'm not sure if I missed this, but I think one thing the inclinometer would come in nice for would be leveling the vehicle for the rooftop tent.

[adventureduo]

That's one of the reasons why i have one in my rig. The tent.

[ntsqd]

snip.......
How to calculate Center of Gravity and Roll Over Angle (http://www.jeepaholics.com/tech/cog/)

seems like if you did the above exercise and knew your danger zones an inclineometer could be handy early warning devise. i'd probably add in a safety factor of like .75 too.

Some time ago I read that page. (Edit: about when this thread was new!) What I recall as the most striking error is that no method of locking out the suspension was mentioned. Unless this is done the weight shift induced change in "ride height" due to the change of attitude (Angle) of the vehicle will skew the height of the CG.

The worst present I ever gave MISF was an inclinometer. He has pinned his going around corners on pavement!

[teotwaki]

I'm not sure if I missed this, but I think one thing the inclinometer would come in nice for would be leveling the vehicle for the rooftop tent.

Also nice for "poser" shots from within the rig to prove how "difficult" a trail was :)

Once in a while I sleep inside my truck and have thought about dual inclinometers just for the leveling issues.