The present invention provides embodiments of modified upper and lower control arms for attachment to the steering knuckle that came with the vehicle, or for attachment to a modified steering knuckle of an embodiment of the invention, such that the steering knuckle, and in particular the wheel hub opening of the steering knuckle, are located at positions that are closer to the front of the vehicle than the positions provided by the control arms that came with the vehicle. The forward position of the wheel hub relative to the position provided by the factory or stock control arms moves the wheel and tire forward by the same distance, thereby allowing much larger wheels and tires to be mounted on the vehicle which do not rub against or interfere with the wheel well, fender or body mount, thereby increasing the approach angle of the vehicle for use in off-road climbing.

An independent wheel suspension for a two-track vehicle has a wheel carrier, a vibration damper designed and arranged in the manner of a damper strut, and a leaf spring element, which has, in particular, a fiber composite material or is made from a fiber composite material. The leaf spring element is oriented at least approximately in the transverse direction of the vehicle and is designed to provide a suspension function and, together with the vibration damper, to guide a vehicle wheel fastened to the wheel carrier when the independent wheel suspension is installed in a vehicle for functional usage. The leaf spring element is connected, on the wheel carrier end, to the wheel carrier via two rubber bearings, each having a bearing axis and a central bearing point, so as to be rotatable about the respective bearing axis of each rubber bearing and is designed to be connected, on the vehicle body end, to an axle support in a torsion-resistant manner and/or directly to a vehicle body.

A vehicle frame apparatus that is configured to be operably secured to a vehicle so as to provide modifications to the vehicle in order to facilitate the vehicle accepting accessories such as but not limited to a wheelchair tub. The present invention includes a hanger assembly wherein the hanger assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The hanger assembly is operably to provide a lower mounting position for the axle on vehicles having independent wheel suspension. The present invention further includes an upper spring mount and a lower spring mount. The lower spring mount provides a spring retention member configured to assist in position maintenance of the lower end of a spring. An upper shock mount is included so as to position the shock in a proper position. A hub spacer is also included so as to move the hub outward from the axle.

A spring hanger assembly may be formed pieces shaped to increase the stiffness and strength. The spring hanger assembly may comprise separate pieces, such as an inner section and an outer section. The spring hanger assembly may be attached to a frame using fasteners or hucks.

A vehicle suspension system may include a first suspension assembly operably coupling a first wheel to a chassis of a vehicle, a second suspension assembly operably coupling a second wheel to the chassis where the first and second wheels form a pair of front wheels, a third suspension assembly operably coupling a third wheel to the chassis, a fourth suspension assembly operably coupling a fourth wheel to the chassis where the third and fourth wheels forming a first pair of rear wheels, and a payload extension kit that is attachable to the chassis non-permanently. The payload extension kit may include a fifth suspension assembly operably coupling a fifth wheel to a sub-frame extension of the payload extension kit, and a sixth suspension assembly operably coupling a sixth wheel to the sub-frame extension, where the fifth and sixth wheels form a second pair of rear wheels.

A vehicle including: a frame; front suspension assemblies and wheels; a rear left suspension assembly connected to the frame; a rear right suspension assembly connected to the frame; rear wheels having a wheel axis and an inner rim radius; a rear gear train; and a motor. Each rear suspension assembly including a swing arm; a shock assembly; a knuckle including: a first portion connected to a wheel hub, and a second portion extending upward from the first portion; a first link having an outward end connected to the first portion and an inward end connected to the frame; and a second link having an outward end connected to the second portion and an inward end connected to the frame, the outward end of the second link being distanced from the corresponding wheel axis by a distance greater than the inner rim radius.

A spring hanger assembly may be formed pieces shaped to increase the stiffness and strength. The spring hanger assembly may comprise separate pieces, such as an inner section and an outer section. The spring hanger assembly may be attached to a frame using fasteners or hucks.

A tandem mechanical spring axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles includes a tandem assembly that comprises a front beam of a suspension assembly of a front axle/suspension system, a rear beam of a suspension assembly of a rear axle suspension system, and a mechanical spring. The mechanical spring operatively engages the front beam and the rear beam and extends longitudinally therebetween, as well as operatively engages a main member of the vehicle frame.

A vehicle including a frame; a front left suspension assembly with a front left wheel; a front right suspension assembly with a front right wheel; a front gear train; a motor; shafts connected between the front wheels and the front gear train. Each front suspension assembly including a knuckle including: a first portion connected to a wheel hub and including a first ball joint, and a second portion extending upward from the first portion and including a second ball joint; a lower A-arm connected to the first ball joint; an upper A-arm connected to the second ball joint; the second ball joint being distanced from the wheel axis by a distance greater than the inner rim radius; and a shock assembly connected to the lower A-arm and the frame, the shafts passing below the ball joint of the shock absorber assembly which is vertically higher than the shaft.

A work vehicle according to the present invention includes left and right axle cases of a rigid axle type, and left and right suspension mechanisms movable in the up-down direction relative to body frames and separately supporting the left and right axle cases, respectively. The work vehicle also includes (i) a first projection projecting downward from the left or right one of the body frames, (ii) a second projection projecting upward from that position on either the left and right axle cases or a frame body integrated with the axle cases which is opposite to the first projection in the left-right direction, and (iii) a lateral rod having a first end connected with the first projection and a second end connected with the second projection.