JeepinJarhead03 wrote:
i was thinkin Flex was wheel up travel and articulation was wheel was down travel, i guess we need a dictionary thread heh
As far as I know, the two terms can be used interchangeably. However, articulation and flex refers to the maximum upward and downward tire travel that you get from the suspension. There are two types of flex. First, you have “useful flex” and then you have “maximum flex.” “Maximum flex” is where the vehicle is so flexed out that there is very little weight on the tire, which may result with little traction. “Useful flex” allows you to flex out and still have good weight distribution and ground contact for traction. I think tjkj2002 is saying that our KJ’s already have very little articulation, therefore by adding the CRD coils we are minimizing opportunities for “useful flex.” For example, the difference in OME coils (OME 400lb and OME 500lb) would mean that the OME 400lb coils would flex downward and upward MORE than the OME 500lb coils. More upward and downward suspension (coil) flex would result in more articulation. Due to the limitations of the IFS, our KJ’s do not have to worry about “maximum flex.” So in this case scenario, it would be possible to define flex as suspension (coil) travel and define articulation as how well the front suspension works together to maximize opportunities for traction.
The only way to know for sure is to compare two KJ’s with the same front end weight and lift (except for one having OME 400’s and the other with OME 500’s). Then compare both lifts by running the same obstacle. For example: If the one running the OME 400lb coils “DOES” make contact with the TERRAFLEX bumpstops and the other (with the OME 500lbs coils) “DOES NOT” make contact with the TERRAFLEX bumpstops, then we know who has more flex (articulation), right?