74 CJ...Will it rollover???

Ok, thought I'd ask this question. I have a 74 CJ5 with about a 3" lift and 33's. I do fairly mild offroading in the California desert, but a couple weekends ago, we were wheelin out there and some of the roads were pretty rugged, steep and off camber. I don't have a TON of wheelin experience, so I don't yet have a good feel for the limits of this jeep, especially the roll angle. Does anyone know what angle (approx) that these things can stand before goin over? My guess is it's a lot further than what I think, but I got slightly uncomfortable that weekend to the point where I was joking about finding some ballast for the passenger side! I know there are a LOT of variables here, so I'm just looking for ballpark.

Thanks,
Steve

 

The answer is yes it will roll over when the angle gets too bad. But in practical experience I have only rolled mine once and it was in a spot where I knew that it would happen. I have been freaked out once or twice (okay more then that) by an offcamber but never rolled except the one time.

Every rig is different, So your roll over point will be different then mine.

 

Here is the worst one that I have a picture of. I did not roll even though I swore I was going to. It was taken going up Moab Rim trail. This is where I learned to trust my spotters. As you can see the passenger front tire is almost completely off the ground as is the driver rear. Thank god for a well balanced Jeep. For reference: 4+" Lift, 35x12.5 MTRs and wide-track Axles.

 

Most rigs will tilt FAR beyond the drivers comfort level before flopping. A quick rule of thumb I use is to mentally hang a string from the center of the water pump to the ground. If the string is inside the footprint of the lowest tire, you're probably OK (Probably, there are a ton of variables). I used to lay my Bronco on it's side with some regularity. At the tipping point, you could no longer sit in the seat, you had to brace against the door or the console to stay behind the wheel. It took a while to find that point because the pucker factor kicked in long before then.

I can't wait to finish my new Jeep build and start finding the tipping point on it

 

The wider the axle you have the better off you are, so with just the stock axles you can't get in as big of a lean, but it will definately take more than you feel like it will when you're in the driver's seat. Biggest advice is to always make sure you have a spotter, especially if you aren't completely use to your individual vehicle. The spotter can see what's going on with your Jeep, no matter how it feels from the driver's seat. There's no tellin how many times I've been in a position where I've pretty much braced myself figuring I was over, only to have my spotter tell me there was still plenty of weight on all the tires.

 

Time I guess for the South Carolina view on things.
It would be debatable if DanStew or I spend more time on our side so let me weigh in on the subject. I have flopped when the Jeep seemed to be as stable as can be and stayed upright when it felt as if the rollbar should be scraping the ground. The thing to remember is don't panic! A flop is not the end of the world. Your safety and the safety of your passangers is what matters,chicks dig body damage as long as its the Jeep and not YOUR body.
To avoid a flop;

You have already felt "strange" so let that seat of the pants gut instinct be your guide.

Use a spotter to tell you what is going on, they can see tire lift and terrain changes you can't.

Turn the steering wheel "into" a flop it just could keep you on your feet. On my 1st flop simply letting out the clutch would have saved me but it felt "strange" and I "locked up" and slowly over we went. (sorry Baby John). Don't freeze keep your wits about you and drive out of it.

While Flopping;

Stay cool. Where are your hands? Both firmly gripping the steering wheel. Where are your passangers hands? Both firmly gripping the "Jesus" handle on the dash.

Enjoy the moment! Heck this is wheeling! You, for a very short time, are no longer in control and it is scary. Trail points will be awarded if you can quickly think of a whitty comment to exclaim like "GERONIMO!" or "TIMBER!" perhaps. Trail points will be deducted if you squeal like a little schoolgirl. Disreguard the body damage while on the trail and you are surounded by your friends,your a man for Gods sake. Once you are home and the garage door is shut you can beg the Jeep for forgiveness and turn into a sobbing mess.

Good luck! TRY to keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down!

Donnie

 

"GERINOTIMBER"EEeEEekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!
R)R)R)
Donnie

 

You guys are AWESOME! One question though....how will I be able to get out of the jeep fast enough (when it's about to roll) to tie the string on the water pump to evaluate the angle without getting my hand's caught in the belts? I was just wonderin! ...oh wait I know....turn off the motor! DUH!!!

 

I know you are kidding, but never, never try to jump out of the vehicle if it's going to roll. Just put both hands on the steering wheel and hold on. Also, don't grab the roll cage or bar unless it's on the inside of the Jeep. It's a good way to lose fingers........

Again, I know you are kidding, just thought I would throw that out there.

The only way you will know if it's going to go is to have it go over a couple times. Not something I want to do either.

High5

 

Go get one of those little tilt meter thingies. Then find a forklift (or a highlift jack) and start lifting. Get close to the tipping point (tie a rope to a tree and the jeep so it won't actually tip over) and read the little tilt meter thingie. Now you have a good idea of where to start getting all nervous.

But remember, with fuel changes, passanger changes and loading, the point will somewhat change.

Or go to a website and plug in the numbers:

http://www.jeepaholics.com/tech/cog/

For a bunch of stuff to see, try this:
http://www.universityofjeep.ca/tech_links.html

 

You could also do what alot of folks I know do when they feel like they're about to flop, point it in the most stable looking direction and try to put the gas pedal through the floor. R)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuyjRA8q1oI

http://youtube.com/watch?v=x9ygamoxzQw

Second one takes a minute, but he saves the roll by gassin it in reverse even though he broke the ram off the rear steer.

Not stock Jeeps though, so the ledges they are on I wouldn't really recommend being on in the first place.

 

How in the world do you get INTO that 1st green buggy??????R)R)

 

I'm not 100% sure on that now that you mention it,R) I've never really paid any attention to anyone gettin in and out of it. I'm starting to notice more and more buggies on the trails like that though that I know for a fact I couldn't get in them, and if I did they would have to cut the cage to get me out, and I'm not that big of a feller.

 

Donnie- What happens if ones Jeep doesn't have a grab handle... Or seats that are moutned for the passenger (mines still on pivot) where should they put their hands?

And I think I'm gonna PM you in a bit I have some questions on little white Jeep.

 

I found a smaller handle,I think it may be the ones used to protect the fuel fill on an M38,to put on my Jeeps dash. If they are wearing their seatbelt the seat can't flip up on them.I spent some time in my passanger seat and looked for logical grab points.

When I just had a roll bar I always wheeled with the windsheild down and secured.I didn't want to eat a big glass sandwitch if it rolled all the way over.
Donnie

 

what about a inclinometer? Does anyone even use these? I've thought about buyin one but I don't want to look like a pansy if they are a pansy thing to have.