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The Development of the ZQ8 Sport Handling Suspension for GM's Midsize Pickup Trucks
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English
Abstract
A new Sport Handling Suspension has been developed for the 1996 Chevrolet S-Series and GMC Sonoma pickup trucks, which provides a sports-car-like level of handling with an aggressive, lowered appearance in an affordable package while maintaining the truck's payload and trailering capability This paper discusses the process by which the suspension was developed It provides an explanation of how the market opportunity was observed, and how the product concept was tailored to fulfill the market demands The paper also contains a discussion of the history of the sport truck market segment, and a presentation of handling data for a truck with this suspension
During the development process, an effort was made to utilize existing components that are shared with other car and truck lines, to help contain tooling and piece costs This enabled the package to be marketed for a very reasonable price The components comprising the system are as follows
- Specific front and rear springs
- DeCarbon monotube gas shock absorbers
- Front and rear stabilizer bars
- Urethane front and rear jounce bumpers
- 12 7 1 Steering Gear
- P235/55R16 Goodyear Eagle GA tires
- 16x8 aluminum wheels
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Authors
Citation
Taverna, F., "The Development of the ZQ8 Sport Handling Suspension for GM's Midsize Pickup Trucks," SAE Technical Paper 962221, 1996, https://doi.org/10.4271/962221.Also In
References
- Wilson, Kevin A “Pony Truck” (Road Test of 1996 GMC Sonoma GT) Autoweek Magazine July 10 1995 Crain Communications, Inc
- Sherman, Don “The Compact Pickup That Thinks It's a Z28” (Road Test of 1996 GMC Sonoma GT) Motor Trend Magazine December 1995 Petersen Publishing Company
- Clor, John M “Hit or Miss? Taking Aim at Sport Trucks” (Road Test of Ford F-150 Lightning) AutoWeek Magazine July 1993 Crain Communications, Inc
- Keebler, Jack “A Corner-Bending Pickup” Motor Trend Magazine July 1996 Petersen Publishing Company
- Hauser, John R Clausing, Don “The House of Quality” Harvard Business Review Boston, MA 1988
- von Hippel, Eric 1986 “Lead Users A Source of Novel Product Concepts” Management Science
- “Road Test of 1994 Ford Mustang GT” Motor Trend Magazine January 1994 Petersen Publishing Company
- “Road Test of 1996 BMW 318ti” Motor Trend Magazine October 1995 Petersen Publishing Company
- “Road Test of 1996 Ford Ranger Splash” Motor Trend Magazine July 1995 Petersen Publishing Company