R1T Flex Test and [Suspension] Engineering Deep Dive

[COdogman]

I've mentioned before that I have a 4Runner that I built-up for off-road use. When doing so, most add aftermarket skid plates and rock sliders for added protection. The skid plates we tend to add are 3/16" plate steel or 1/4" aluminum and are usually designed to support the weight of the truck. So if you fall onto a rock or get high-centered, the skids won't collapse or otherwise damage the truck. Furthermore, they're also designed to slide along rocks so you can get yourself off of rocks, logs, etc.

The rock sliders tend to bolt or weld onto the frame and usually stick out a bit from the body so that the slider will hit rocks first. Some also have a kickout towards the rear wheel so as you slide along a rock it'll kick the rear end out a bit so you don't take body damage behind the wheel. If you watch the MotorTrend video where they were on Black Bear Pass, it's blatantly obvious that they dragged the passenger side of the white R1T along a very large rock on the tightest switchback on the trail. That rock has a lot of paint on it from many vehicles that have hit it. Sliders are again designed to take the weight of the truck without deforming enough to damage the body. A well designed slider you could take a high-lift jack and jack up the truck off of them.

I definitely don’t think it’s a bad idea to have extra protection. My daily driver is a Tacoma TRD Pro which I’m sure you know comes with a decent set of sliders and a skid plate up front. I’m glad I have those things even if I don’t go off roading as often as I used to. The sliders in particular have saved me a couple times and the skid plate even saved me once on I-25 when a ladder fell off someone’s truck in front of me.

I guess I was just asking in general if the protection Rivian added without upgrading to the off road protection package might be enough for all but the harshest off road conditions or rock crawling like Rob mentioned. I’d love to get a look at what they actually surround the battery with. And I do hope Rivian or an aftermarket seller offers sliders for the R1s.

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[Speedrye]

Another Toyota owner here, running sliders and 1/4" aluminum skids below my FJ for protection from the rocks. Knowing what a 5k-lb vehicle does to those skids dropping onto, or bashing into a rock, I'd be concerned for them (and the battery above) with another ton dropping onto them. Granted, I use my sliders more than the skids, and the R1S should have more ground clearance underneath, but I'll just find bigger rocks to go over most likely. I'll definitely want sliders at a minimum, but I'll probably want to look at aftermarket solutions for the skids over even what Rivian is offering. As such, I'm saving my money without the off-road package.

As a reference, my FJ had a stock RTI score of 515, but it's got a short wheelbase.

 

[Iwantatesla]

85lb+ wheel & tire... Wheewww...



The underbody armor looked like it was all carbon fiber to me, which is how it was described in the past—as a sandwich of carbon fiber and other materials.

In fact, this is the first time I've seen obvious carbon fiber, rather than something that looked like a simple plastic shield.

here I can make it more obvious lol

 

[SeaGeo]

here I can make it more obvious lol

What prompted that?!

 

[koersontap]

What prompted that?!

He's giving Sandy a run for his money on the teardown?? ?

 

[SeaGeo]

He's giving Sandy a run for his money on the teardown?? ?

Ted Munro

 

[kanundrum]

Some notes I took down.

• Ability to adjust Caster and Camber (better grip) or tire wear is pretty great, standard caster/camber plates Im guessing between 1 to 2 degrees of adjust ability.
• Brakes are definitely standard brembo setup(exact system and probably part numbers as my Alfa). Pads more or less are probably going to be $500 for fronts set, $350 or so for bad.
• Brakes are DIY Serviceable but most likely an electronic system (continental) so will require software to be serviced.
• All aluminum parts great for weight savings
• Hydraulic lines are SS (non Teflon coated), racing grade quality.
• Brake lines are standard rubber
• All end links and arms look BEEFY AF which explains the suspension/amazing handling along with roll control.

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