The following is meant to be a edicational tool to inform you of the various popular suspension setups that are being used on off road vehicles, trail rigs, and Rockcrawlers!! Have fun and if you have any questions as to these setups please feel free to call.
1. Quarter
elliptical rear springs
This suspension system pictured is known as a quarter elliptical spring setup. It's uses include trails with severe articulation requirements, ARCA rock crawling competitions, and anyone wanting an obscene amount of flexibility offroad. One major note about this suspension is that it is most always fabricated per vehicle and does not come in kit form, the vehicle equipped with such a suspension is most always tailored to the trailhead due to stability issues at higher speeds, and it does require maintenance with all the zerk fittings and grease points. This conversion is for anyone who wants to do insane trails, obstacle traversing, and 95% trail only usage.
2. Reverse Shackle
front springs
These photos provided by Rob Marks
This is known as a Reverse Shackle configured front spring setup.
The reason is most original factory rigs had the pivoting shackle on the front
of the spring not on the back as picture above. While there are some differing
views on this setup as to which is better, it is generally acknowledged that
this setup does provide more flex offroad, and has better highway manners than
the pivot in front design. The benefits from this conversion are not only independent
movement of the springs, but the axle travels up and backwards as it is
compressed rather than up and forewords. Some do say the up and forewords
movement helps "push" it against an obstacle for more grip, however
driver skill will more than compensate that little bit of lost advantage. This
conversion is for anyone who used their vehicle alot on the road and a decent
amount offroads who want a smooth ride on both surfaces.
3. Spring Over Axle (SOA) spring setup
4. Coil spring setup
5. Lift springs
6. Reverse Shackle front / Spring over rear
7. Reverse Shackle front / Lift spring rear
8. Lift Spring front / Spring over rear
Want one of these conversions done to your rig? Give John a call to discuss it at 360-377-4979!