OME Suspension System Ford Ranger PX 2011, Mazda BT-50 2011

OME SUSPENSION SYSTEMS:

Aftermarket 4WD suspension is extremely complex. Determining the right solution for your vehicle and your requirements demands special attention to many factors. Unlike numerous aftermarket suspension systems, which are only available in a single configuration targeting lift height, OME offers a range of tuned and matched integrated suspension systems to ensure the right suspension is available to suit how the vehicle is outfitted and the conditions it will encounter.

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT:

The OME engineers objective was to develop an integrated suspension system for the PX Ford Ranger and Mazda BT 50. The key areas that were considered were lift, load carrying and comfort. This vehicle provided a number of opportunities with 50mm of lift being achievable and payloads across the model range of around 1000kgs. During ride evaluation some inherent ride characteristics became evident which provided opportunities to fine tune and improve comfort levels and control. With a large GVM capacity of 3200kg, OME engineers decided an increase to 3330kg was achievable so a GVM upgrade is currently under development.

FRONT SUSPENSION:

SPRINGS: With the OE spring rate being high from factory, our rate increases were more moderate than other vehicles. Three spring options were chosen to cater for No Bar, Bar and Bar/Winch vehicle setups. Trim packers have been developed to assist in fine tuning ride height that may be caused by various accessory fitments.
STRUTS: An extensive development and tuning project was undertaken to correctly match the ride quality to the spring rate and resulted in 2 front strut options. A new spring seat was developed and through FEA study and lab fatigue testing has outperformed the durability of the OE seat. An extra 25mm of travel and improved shock tuning has resulted in a more comfortable ride while maintaining excellent control in both on road and off road applications.

REAR SUSPENSION:

SPRINGS: With a large payload capacity of around 1000kgs, three spring options plus an extra leaf option were designed and tested to provide optimal ride quality across the available loading range. The existing CS049R spring will suit for the light to medium loaders and is designed with a single leaf secondary stage which optimises ride comfort and still supports the substantial primary stage when carrying occasional heavy loads. New 300kg and 600kg constant load springs were developed for the consumer who requires improved constant load carrying performance. The D34XL extra leaf can also be used across the range of springs and will provide approximately 300kgs of additional loading at the design height. 2 new spring bush kits have been developed for the leaf springs, one to match the OE spring shackles and one to match the newly developed OME greasable shackles. Each leaf spring also has a specific U bolt application.
SHOCK ABSORBERS: To provide comfort, control and to cater for the three spring options, two new tuned and matched shock absorbers were developed. It was discovered with the OE shock in the rear of the vehicle there was excessive cycling and a less controlled ride when load was applied. The OME engineers have increased the control which improves the ride quality for light to medium loads. A further increase in damping was added to the shock suited to the heavier loaded springs.
DRIVE LINE SPACER KIT: A drive line spacer kit has been developed to cater for the increased rear ride height.