Design, Fabrication, and Assessment of a User-Friendly Suspension System for a 2025 BAJA Vehicle

A suspension system was designed, fabricated, and tested following a systems design approach by the Desert Hare Off-road Team from South Dakota State University (SDSU). Compared to previous suspensions, the new suspension system is more reparable and contains a minimal number of custom parts, while still maintaining sufficient strength to withstand dynamic loads experienced when operating the vehicle. Modifications were also made to fit the newly designed vehicle body frame. As an integral part of the team’s 2025 Baja vehicle, the redesigned suspension system contributed to the vehicle’s improved performance during the 2025 SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Baja Competition. This paper presents a detailed account of the design, development, and fabrication process of the suspension system. The final design was tested and evaluated via both computer simulations and physical tests, whose efficiency and reliability were finally demonstrated by the team’s improved ranking in the 2025 Baja SAE Competition.