If you are an SUV, ATV, or truck holder and often take your vehicle off-roading, you will start to feel a difference in the suspension system, as the bumps will start to feel harder and more frequent. This does not always have to do with the terrain and its harsh outline. When you start to feel that your ride is rougher than before, it indicates that your vehicle might have a flattened suspension system.
A worn-out system means that the springs that make the suspension system are not operating properly. Complete neglect and ill maintenance can often lead to severe permanent damage on off-road suspension, leading to inoperable vehicles. Not only that, it can even compromise the safety and security of you and your loved ones.
This blog will talk about different suspension system upgrades and why it is important. Without any further ado, let's get on it.
Why Should You Get a Suspension Upgrade?
Upgrading suspension is ideal for any off-roading equipment. The point is to replace the standard suspension and lift up the body and frame of your vehicle. This not only gives more space for the installation of bigger tires, but it also increases the suspension travel.
Suspension travel is the length of wheel movement allowed by the system. It helps your vehicle stay in contact with the ground better, no matter what terrain you follow. If your truck or ATV's wheels have limited contact with the ground well, your vehicle won't move an inch.
Getting a new suspension for off-road use also makes the bumps and jolts smoother and helps the vehicle stay steady on the move. Springs absorb the forces that hit the wheels to lessen any harsh impact of the ride. The suspension also helps the vehicle handle turns and braking better, as well as protects heavy loads of materials.
But before you decide on an off-road suspension kit, consider your typical terrain, how fast you go, and if the vehicle serves a dual purpose on highway driving. Different types of driving require different systems. So before going for suspension modifications, ask yourself
- Does your vehicle also drive on regular roads?
- Where do you usually drive?
- Are you getting bigger tires?
- Do you drive at a constant speed, or do you make harsh acceleration?
Complete Breakdown Of Leafs And Coils Suspension
Your off-road suspension parts can be different from others, depending on what your vehicle needs. But there are a couple of things to know before you buy new leaf springs or shock absorbers.
Two important things to consider are caster and camber angles. The caster angle helps with the front steering system. It makes sure the steering goes back to the middle when you stop turning the wheel. Camber angle is how your vehicle tires lean on the road. Negative camber refers to the tops of the tires leaning in, and positive camber indicates that they are leaning out.
1- Leaf Springs
As mentioned earlier, different suspension types have different parts, but axles are always present at all suspensions. An axle stretches from one side of your ATV to the other, and the entire piece moves as the suspension goes through different speeds.
The combination of leaf springs and a solid axle is a common and uncomplicated system known for its durability. It serves a dual purpose by attaching to the axle while also supporting the vehicle's suspension.
Leaf springs are cost-effective and straightforward for off-road trucks or ATVs. They're made from spring steel that returns to its original shape after being bent.
2- Coil Springs
Another thing to consider is the radius arm setup, which uses coil springs instead of leaf springs. While coil springs are more compact, they can only handle your truck's weight. In this setup, the suspension parts position the axle and let it move, which is different from a leaf spring system. With the radius arm design, two arms match up with the frame. They are firmly connected to the axle housing and attach to a rod on the frame, allowing the axle to move up and down.
The solid coil spring suspension is a connected system that replaces several leaf springs with coil springs that have a more stable design. As a result, they provide a smoother and quieter ride.
Types of Suspension Systems and Parts Safe for Off-Roading
The 4X4 industry allows various options for suspensions that are designed to suit the particular requirements of your car. While all suspensions replace worn-out, old components, each suspension offers specific qualities suited for certain environments. To get a suitable suspension for your vehicle, it is important to understand each option, how they function, and what their capabilities are.
The most common kinds of spring are leaf and coil. They both require 4X4 shock absorbers to reduce the vibration of driving over uneven and unsteady land. Each wheel comes with a spring and shock absorber; however, there lies a major difference between front and rear suspensions. The front suspension is known to absorb more braking torque and has more complexity. The wheels at the front are often larger in size, and they are the first to hit the off-road bumps.
On a four-wheel drive vehicle, the front suspension is usually made of a solid axle with leaf or coil springs, also referred to as a dependent system. The wheels are connected sideways, moving together as a single unit and the springs are attached to the frame as U-bolts hold it in place.
Placed on the opposite side of the axle, shock absorbers are a must for off-roading. 4X4 Shock absorbers located at the front and behind of the car can reduce the amount of axle tramp, which is a fast up and down motion of the rear axle caused by the quick acceleration. Moreover, the addition of sway bars can control the body roll of the truck.
Aside from 4WD trucks, ATVs and UTVs (Utility Task Vehicles) also allow suspensions, which are often independent suspensions. Many of these vehicles have dual A-arm suspension on the front where the upper and lower arms form the A-shape, having struts on the upper arm. However, the rear independent system often angles toward the back end for a smoother journey.
Other types of 4x4, SUV and ATV suspensions on top of leaf and coil solutions include the following:
1- Four Link Suspension
Four-link suspensions can be found in two types — parallel or triangulated.
A parallel four-link suspension has strong upper and lower links on each side of the vehicle that also features pivot points on both ends. A track bar and coil springs are used to keep the axle of the vehicle stable. As the wheels move, the links help the vehicle stay level with the landscape as the caster angle remains the same.
With this type of suspension, you can pick how the shocks and springs work together. It can be adjusted for different situations by changing the angles and lengths of each link. This affects how the vehicle will respond when you brake, speed up, turn, or go fast or slow. When the suspension reacts quickly, it helps the tires stay on the ground for better driver control.
The other type of suspension link, the triangulated four-link suspension, has links that are attached at wider angles. This linkage makes it different from the parallel kind, eliminating the need for a track bar. The wider links are at the top and get narrower towards the axle wheels. The lower bars attach at opposite angles, which resists side-to-side movement.
2- Independent Front Suspension
An independent front suspension, also known as IFS, can work for a two or four-wheel drive system. When it comes to two-wheel, it is ideal for racing. But for off-road vehicles, the four-wheel drive version is more common as it's compact and practical.
The most common setup for independent suspension has unequal arms that look like the letter "A." These arms are not the same length, and they connect to the frame and a standing part. These unequal arms can move at both ends, letting the front wheels go on their own, hence independent suspension. The top is often shorter than the bottom to keep things parallel to the ground. This "A-arm" design helps the consistent caster angle. In an independent front suspension, coils, struts, and bars act like straight springs that promote springing. They mix the functions of springs and shock absorbers.
A long travel suspension is also a form of IFS, which includes upper and lower control arms wider than your stock components. They assist in increasing the amount of wheel travel and ensure that you maintain traction on rougher terrain.
3- Twin Traction Beam Suspension
A twin-traction beam suspension, also called TTB, is used in off-road vehicles. It's made with two beams that look like the letter "I" and is a mix of both a dependent and independent system. There are two beams at the front. Each of these beams attaches at one end and connects to a wheel at the other. A special U joint in the middle lets both beams move independently.
The design is similar to a solid axle, but the axles and housing connections can move in the middle. Because of how it's built, the wheels move in an arc, changing the chamber. Even though it might look a bit odd, the design is undoubtedly very strong. It spreads out stress and compression over a larger area due to long beams.
4- Double Wishbone Suspension
The double wishbone system, also called A-arm suspension, uses special arms(drop-down brackets) to help your vehicle get higher off the ground. It keeps the tires separate and in line with the road, making it easier for the driver to control the vehicle. These arms also help in making the wheels stay straight even on bumpy roads.
Double Wishbone suspension is a preferred system for big trucks with tall tires, like Trophy Trucks with tires up to 42 inches tall. It works together with solid axles in the back, along with other parts like the wishbone and trailing arms. This combination gives the suspension a lot of travel, from 36 to 40 inches. It's often made especially with long and strong arms that are like boxes and go along the frame.
The wishbone suspension looks like a "V." The wider part is mounted high up on the vehicle over the trailing arms. At the same time, the narrower end attaches to the back of the vehicle with just one bolt. This build lets it move up and down and thus gives more flexibility to the vehicles.
Off-Road Suspension Kits
Off-road suspension kits are complete sets of parts that can easily replace your current components. These kits feature shock absorbers, sway bars, springs, and other pieces that improve your ATV, truck, or SUV. There are two kinds of suspension kits. Many trucks and SUVs have body-over-frame construction where a strong steel frame acts as the foundation of the vehicle body. Suspension lift kits work by raising the frame, engine, body, and power train parts above the wheels. As a result, the difference between the chassis and axles increases.
The second kind of off-road suspension kit is a body lift kit, which helps in raising the body by using spacers. This increases the space between the body and the frame, which gives more room for the tires. However, no modifications occur on the suspension parts.
The Key Takeaway!
Upgrading your vehicle's suspension system is of great importance for off-road enthusiasts. A worn-out suspension affects your ride quality, safety, and performance. Getting profound knowledge of suspension systems and their parts is essential to make informed decisions for your vehicle. This blog offers a complete insight into 4X4 suspension systems.
Get the most promising and reliable parts from OZI4X4 for the complete suspension upgrade of your vehicle. We take pride in providing high-quality components that not only give your vehicle an elevated appeal but also a kick-boost in their maximum functionality. So, whether you're looking for an ironman 4X4 suspension or a long-travel suspension for your vehicle, we have just what you need.