Radius Rods Installed - Diesel Forum

wow · 04-29-2005, 09:10 AM

I got my Land Yot Radius Rods on Monday (thanks, Ken!). I installed them on Tuesday night, with the help of a buddy. Instructions were clear and well documented.

We had two problems:

1. We burned up my old Dewalt grinder cutting off the traction bars. Oh well, I wanted a new Milwaukee HD grinder anyway. :-)

2. My truck had the new cast-style bump-stops. There was no way to get a grinder in there to create the necessary clearance, so we ended up taking a torch to it. Like my buddy said, "It's not often that you get to torch a Ford!"

It was 12:30 in the morning when we got done, so my first drive was only about 2 miles total down a winding road to do a quick test. Over the last two days I've driven and ridden in it more, paying close attention to what has changed.

Initial Impressions:

1. The 'rocking horse' is gone! Driving down a bumpy road no longer sets up an oscillation from front to back that makes you feel you're on the horse in front of K-mart.

2. The suspension feels much stiffer. To me, this is a good thing. Yes, I notice the bumps a bit more, but gone is the 'mushy' feeling I hated. In short, it now feels like the truck I THOUGHT I was buying.

3. I have complete control! No longer does the rear end skitter around corners. I took that winding road at 50MPH and felt confident the entire time that I had control of the vehicle. Not once did I feel like the rear end was gonna break loose - a HUGE improvement over how it had been.

I now believe there should be a constitutional amendment requiring Ford to install Radius Rods on the 'X" direct from the factory - or at least make them a factory installed option!

kojakone · 04-29-2005, 05:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I now believe there should be a constitutional amendment requiring Ford to install Radius Rods on the 'X" direct from the factory - or at least make them a factory installed option!

[/ QUOTE ]

Amen! brother, Amen!

Maverick4x4 · 04-30-2005, 01:06 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I now believe there should be a constitutional amendment requiring Ford to install Radius Rods on the 'X" direct from the factory - or at least make them a factory installed option!

[/ QUOTE ]

Amen! brother, Amen!

[/ QUOTE ]

Does using F350 B rear springs alleviate the need for radius rods?

(you got pics?)

kojakone · 04-30-2005, 01:51 AM

No, heavier springs alone do not address the live dynamics of the rear axle when you go over bumps, etc. In fact, he makes the rods with the stock springs in mind. Simply putting it, the radius rods are a unique version of track bars, but specifically built for the Excursion.

Try this test. Go over a railroad crossing,(at a safe speed, of course) and notice how the rear bounces left to right and jolts in-a-sort-of uncontrolled way. The radius rods prevent the wobble, jolt or perceived discomfort and stabilzes the ride in a predictable and more pleasant manner. Of course, you still get the up and down motion but it's not felt as an out of control yaw. Furthermore, as he claims, and I concur from my experience, these rods do help the front wandering problem as well.

Best bet is to read what Landyot the inventor/maker has to say about the dynamics.
Forum

Click on the second advertisement on your right and follow his links to the tutorial. He has pictures, but I'll be more than happy to take some and e-mail them, if you wish. Let me know in a PM, if that's the case.

Hoowasat · 04-30-2005, 10:52 AM

Kojakone - "The polite society, is not one which nobody is armed, but rather one in which everybody is..." Robert Heinlein.

I'll add an amen to that!
'Tis but one reason I am a Life Member of the NRA.

kojakone · 04-30-2005, 12:54 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Kojakone - "The polite society, is not one which nobody is armed, but rather one in which everybody is..." Robert Heinlein.

I'll add an amen to that!
'Tis but one reason I am a Life Member of the NRA.

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Maverick4x4 · 04-30-2005, 01:38 PM

[ QUOTE ]
No, heavier springs alone do not address the live dynamics of the rear axle when you go over bumps, etc. In fact, he makes the rods with the stock springs in mind. Simply putting it, the radius rods are a unique version of track bars, but specifically built for the Excursion.

Try this test. Go over a railroad crossing,(at a safe speed, of course) and notice how the rear bounces left to right and jolts in-a-sort-of uncontrolled way. The radius rods prevent the wobble, jolt or perceived discomfort and stabilzes the ride in a predictable and more pleasant manner. Of course, you still get the up and down motion but it's not felt as an out of control yaw. Furthermore, as he claims, and I concur from my experience, these rods do help the front wandering problem as well.

Best bet is to read what Landyot the inventor/maker has to say about the dynamics.
Forum

Click on the second advertisement on your right and follow his links to the tutorial. He has pictures, but I'll be more than happy to take some and e-mail them, if you wish. Let me know in a PM, if that's the case.

[/ QUOTE ]

I checked out the articles and links.

Why is this better than a ladder bar? It seems like it requires the axle to travel in an arc rather than more up and down. A ladder also does this, but in a less steep arc. A ladder, however, doesn't directly control longitudinal movement, whereas the radius rod does. However, if the longitudinal movement comes from axle wrap, then won't a ladder do a better job? btw, the ladder that I'm referring to is more like one from Sam's Offroad than one you'd see on a camero, er, mustang. (I forgot I'm on f*rd country)

kojakone · 04-30-2005, 02:20 PM

I honestly do not know whether a ladder bar would be better or not. One thing is the compactness and less obtrusive look of Landyot's rods - that is the reason I opted for his product, rather than off the shelf ladder bars. As far as the technical aspects with their applicable differences and function, I would e-mail Ken (landyot). He is really good in communicating and answering any questions you might have. What impressed me was his attention to detail and the ruggedness of the rods, and of course - the much improved ride.

Maverick4x4 · 04-30-2005, 03:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I honestly do not know whether a ladder bar would be better or not. One thing is the compactness and less obtrusive look of Landyot's rods - that is the reason I opted for his product, rather than off the shelf ladder bars. As far as the technical aspects with their applicable differences and function, I would e-mail Ken (landyot). He is really good in communicating and answering any questions you might have. What impressed me was his attention to detail and the ruggedness of the rods, and of course - the much improved ride.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks. I sent him a note. My question has to do with what happens when you are 4-wheeling and one side goes up and one side goes down. The side going down will stretch the rod, and the side going up will want to buckle the rod. Or the housing will want to twist. Has anyone experienced this and had any problems?

THanks,
Brett

kojakone · 04-30-2005, 09:09 PM

I use my X in 4 wheel drive quite often, particulary in the winter when the side roads tend to mud up and ruts are everywhere. Not a problem.

I think what you refer is to moderate/extreme off roading?. No, I don't think you would want this set-up since it is intended and designed around/for the OEM springs.

Yes, if I were to do heavy duty off-roading, I would certainly raise the vehicle, change springs, shocks, etc., etc...and the radius rods would not be on my list since they would not fit the bill literally and figuratively. Other than that, for common everyday and light 4 wheeling, you can't beat them.

DR.billZ · 05-02-2005, 10:42 AM

Had you had a Helwig before these? Anyone? Differences?

Hoowasat · 05-02-2005, 04:05 PM

I installed the Rancho shocks firts ... good improvement in ride quality. Then I installed the Hellwig swaybar ... really reduced the amount of body-roll. Last, I installed the radius-rods ... biggest "felt" ride improvement of the three. Mind you, the rods do not perform the same function as the swaybar ... I have both swaybar & radius-rods on my X.

MakinWaves · 05-02-2005, 07:01 PM

Sent Ken some pictures this weekend to see if they will work with my lift. My X tracks OK, looking to solve some axle wrap. I put my name on his waiting list and sent in my deposit. I prefer his radius rods verses ladder bars: looks like a quality product that doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. I prefer the sleeper mode. More fun that way. I will post after I receive.

Dave

Maverick4x4 · 05-02-2005, 07:12 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Sent Ken some pictures this weekend to see if they will work with my lift. My X tracks OK, looking to solve some axle wrap. I put my name on his waiting list and sent in my deposit. I prefer his radius rods verses ladder bars: looks like a quality product that doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. I prefer the sleeper mode. More fun that way. I will post after I receive.

Dave

[/ QUOTE ]

Has anyone run a single ladder (mounted high and inside, like in a jeep) to combat axle wrap only?

Do the SD's have this problem as well? Seems that an X with F350 springs on it at all corners should behave more like an F350.

Hoowasat · 05-02-2005, 08:47 PM

I saw these online mounted atop the leaf springs ...

http://photos.thedieselstop.com/show...hp?photo=21786

Interesting idea, but absolutely no allowance for axle articulation.