Twin-I-Beam A Unique Truck Independent Front Suspension

This paper discusses the new independent front suspension used in the 1965 Ford light trucks, in relation to desirable suspension objectives. For each objective the new suspension provides an optimum means of attainment. Satisfaction of qualification criteria required use of the most efficient techniques of environmental measurement, testing, and design. Specific examples of innovative areas are load determination over long routes, using FM tape recording and automatic data processing; fatigue testing of systems rather than component testing; careful attention to correlation of laboratory and track testing; and extensive use of plastic models for rapid stress analysis of alternate design proposals.