OKRovers - 4x4 Play - Approach and Departure angles

January 2003 - Tulsa, OK

ANGLE MEASUREMENT

So you think that your latest acquisition, the ARB bumper with bad boy winch and big roller fairlead is just the job to improve your truck. Results are surprising, as all mods play a huge part in increasing or reducing your approach and or departure angle. The ARB package needs to be augmented with a suspension lift (usually OME) to even re-gain stock angles let alone surpass them.

As part of our 2003 club meetings format to include an activity, in our January '03 meeting we conducted a vehicle angle measurement session outside in the parking lot.

The results speak for themselves - see below. Pay attention to the trucks involved (stock vs. modified). For further info click on the truck pic to link to the truck bio page. As with any modification/alteration to the Land Rover, there is always a trade-off. While the ARB Bumper offers a rock-solid front end, it also reduces one's approach angle. This then needs to be compensated for with a OME suspension lift and larger diameter tires. And let's not forget that a heavy winch will lower the front of the truck a little too.

Good angle measurement does not ensure that a truck will perform better offroad. As always it needs to be combined with a host of other variables including good driver skill.

Thanks goes to Jim Thompson and handy-dandy laptop, with pre-programmed formula to calculate the angles, and to Randy Black for providing the necessary hardware, and the measuring tape of course.

Club Member / Truck

Approach Angle

Departure Angle

Brad Smith / '01 SII Discovery
(Stock)

32.5