OFF ROAD and ON TRACK

 

For some time now we have been working on increasing the travel of the front suspension in our Class 8 Titan. (Front suspension TOP PHOTO) Since the advent of the trophy truck, Class 8 has become somewhat unappreciated, and I for one think that’s a crime. Well maybe not a felony, unless I hear you talking poo poo. Anyway, Class 8 mandates that the original manufacturer’s frame must remain damn near untouched, thereby making real “off the hook” suspension modifications a bit of a challenge. This is not to say that our suspension is wimpy by any means, (see the pictures) but it does mean that we are confined to certain physical parameters that limit the amount of actual wheel travel we can achieve. (rear, bottom photo)

In the trophy Truck class the A ARMS that make up the front suspension are attached to a “bulkhead” in the center of the vehicle. The mounting points, when they are deep inboard in this fashion, allow for much longer  A ARM’s and thus a greater amount of actual wheel travel. On most of those trucks, a “J shaped” upper arm is used to complement the long lower arm. This “J ARM” assembly allows for the shocks to be mounted side by side on the lower arm and retain proper geometry  throughout the motion of the suspension. Anytime the length of the lower is increased the upper arm length must also increase, and “therein lies the rub”, and mean this quite literally. Remember we have extended the lower arms almost to the center of the vehicle and now we must do the same for the top; one problem exists however, the damn engine is in the way and due to the rules we can’t move it.  The “j shaped” upper arm allows us to work around the engine and keep the geometry correct AND increase the suspension travel by about 25%.  We expect to achieve about 21.25″ of actual front travel….yes inches do matter.

 

We have tested, drawn, redrawn, re-tested (tested in this industry means take the truck out and try to break the new part). Did i mention this part is fun? Oh yeah its fun, right up the point where you fail the test, ie. break the new part, and then out come the chains, tow straps and sometimes the hiking boots. 

I believe we have arrived at a final solution that will prove to be very effective and the first of its kind to be released for the Titan. When I say released, I am not suggesting that this will be a bolt on kit, but we have a version that can be installed on your Titan with some basic welding and a little patience.

Keep an eye out next week, I will post another bit on the J ARM project along with pictures. 

Flog on

Snakecharmer

Tags: nissan j arm, off road titan suspension, San Diego Titan, TITAN J ARMS, titan suspension

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