Application of Modal Modeling and Mount System Optimization to Light Duty Truck Ride Analysis

A basic review of vehicle modal modeling techniques is presented and applied to determine the vibrational shake characteristics of a light duty pickup truck subjected to tire force variation and random road surface dynamic loads. Comparisons of natural vibration frequencies and random road response between a prototype pickup and the vehicle model are presented to establish the level of correlation.

A computer optimization technique is applied to tune the body, engine, and transmission mount system of the vehicle model until the vibration levels are minimized. Simultaneous reduction in road and tire induced vibration response of the model is achieved.