Evolution of the New Ford Light Truck Four Wheel Drive Independent Front Suspension

G. S. Bedi; W. H. R. Lake

doi:10.4271/791035

1979-02-01

Evolution of the New Ford Light Truck Four Wheel Drive Independent Front Suspension 791035

A new Twin Traction Beam, independent front suspension system, for 1980 model Ford light duty 4x4 trucks, has been designed, developed and is in U.S. domestic production by Ford Motor Company.

The unique Twin Traction Beam suspension was designed around the proven Twin-I-Beam independent front suspension concept, which has been used on conventional two-wheel drive Ford light duty trucks since 1965.

The new suspension system was designed to be packaged in Ford's new 1980 F-Series light duty models, and to meet the objectives of: improved fuel economy, ride, handling and performance, while still retaining all the toughness associated with Ford's previous four-wheel drive models, which utilized the more common monobeam suspension.

This paper describes the objectives, evolution of design, development, testing, and manufacturing and assembly chronology of the newest suspension system from Ford.

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Evolution of the New Ford Light Truck Four Wheel Drive Independent Front Suspension 791035

SAE MOBILUS