Full Suspension Specifications
SUSPENSION PHILOSOPHY
Suspension Philosophy
The suspension system was designed around three primary goals:
- Maximum traction and predictability while rock crawling
- Reduced unsprung mass for improved ride quality and suspension response
- High-speed stability without compromising crawling capability
The geometry, spring rates, damping, and component selection were all chosen to support those goals while maintaining long-term reliability and serviceability.
Unsprung Weight Reduction
Weight Savings
Significant effort was placed on reducing unsprung mass while maintaining structural integrity.
Components
Component Weight Savings
Battle Born Aluminum Wheels – ~50 lb per corner • Wilwood Lightweight Brake System – ~18 lb per corner • 2005+ Unit Bearing Conversion – ~25 lb per corner
TOTAL REDUCTION
UNSPRUNG WEIGHT SAVINGS
Unsprung Weight Reduction
- Approximately 276 lb reduction (front)
- Approximately 276 lb reduction (rear)
- Compared to previous build configuration
Reducing unsprung weight improves:
- Suspension response
- Ride quality
- Tire control
- Rebound characteristics
- High-speed stability
Suspension Geometry
LOWER LINKS
STRENGTH, CLEARANCE & ARTICULATION
Lower Link Design
- 2-inch DOM tubing with 1/4-inch wall thickness
- Bent design for increased ground clearance
- Improved front tire clearance
- Ballistic Fabrication joints at axle side
- FK heims at chassis side
The lower links were designed to maximize durability, suspension travel, and obstacle clearance while maintaining precise axle control in demanding off-road conditions.
REAR SUSPENSION
ANTI-SQUAT GEOMETRY
Anti-Squat Geometry
Suspension geometry was targeted near 100% anti-squat to optimize climbing performance and traction management.
Benefits include:
- Maintains forward drive on steep climbs
- Reduces hopping during traction loss
- Improves climbing predictability
- Keeps suspension loading more linear
The result is a rear suspension system that remains stable, predictable, and highly effective in technical climbing situations.
FRONT SUSPENSION
ANTI-DIVE GEOMETRY
Anti-Dive Geometry
Front suspension geometry was targeted near 135% anti-dive to improve vehicle control during steep descents and obstacle transitions.
Benefits include:
- Improved chassis control
- Better stability during obstacle approach
- Increased predictability during aggressive crawling
This geometry helps keep the chassis composed during braking and steep descents while maintaining confidence and control in technical terrain.
Upper Links
2-inch DOM tubing
Adjustable chassis-side mounting positions
Tunable anti-squat and anti-dive geometry
Steering Links
FK heims used throughout steering system
Coilovers & Dampening
Coilovers
Fox 2.5 coilovers
Large-valve configuration
Tuned for both crawling and higher-speed terrain
While 2.0 coilovers are typically sufficient for rock crawling, 2.5 coilovers were selected for improved damping control during desert driving and higher-speed suspension events.
Coilover Preparation
Built by Accutune
Integrated by Suspension Direct
Electronic Suspension Control
SUSPENSION TUNING PROCESS
SUSPENSION GEOMETRY DEVELOPMENT
Suspension Geometry Development
All suspension geometry was modeled and positioned during fabrication using the Triaged Suspension Calculator to optimize overall vehicle performance and tunability.
Key design considerations included:
- Link placement
- Roll center behavior
- Instant center positioning
- Anti-squat characteristics
- Anti-dive characteristics
Adjustable upper link brackets allow geometry changes for future tuning and terrain-specific setup adjustments.
SUSPENSION DIRECT ACTIVE SYSTEM
ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION CONTROL
Electronic Suspension Control
The suspension system incorporates an advanced electronic control package designed to continuously optimize ride quality, stability, and traction.
System features include:
- Onboard computer control
- Real-time sensor monitoring
- Dynamic valving adjustments
- Approximately 500 adjustments per second
By constantly monitoring vehicle inputs and suspension movement, the system automatically adapts damping characteristics to changing terrain and driving conditions.
BENEFITS
Performance Benefits
- Improved ride quality
- Increased high-speed stability
- Better terrain adaptability
- Reduced harshness during aggressive driving
- Enhanced crawling control
This system allows the vehicle to remain controlled at speed without sacrificing low-speed crawling performance.
Additional Components
REAR SWAY BAR
ARTICULATION CONTROL STRATEGY
Rear Sway Bar Strategy
The rear sway bar was incorporated primarily to influence articulation behavior rather than traditional body roll control.
Design objectives included:
- Encouraging faster front articulation
- Improving stability during angled climbs
- Increasing predictability on vertical obstacles
This approach helps balance vehicle stability and suspension performance while maintaining excellent crawling characteristics in technical terrain.
PERFORMANCE FOCUS
SUSPENSION DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Suspension Design Philosophy
This suspension package was engineered specifically for the demands of extreme off-road performance while maintaining reliability and long-term serviceability.
Primary design objectives included:
- Technical rock crawling
- Steep vertical climbs
- High-articulation terrain
- Aggressive off-camber obstacles
- Controlled high-speed desert driving
Every component was selected to balance:
- Capability
- Reliability
- Serviceability
- Weight reduction
- Suspension response