A vehicle includes a chassis having a frame member, and a suspension system carried by the chassis. One or more air spring assemblies are associated with the suspension system, with each air spring assembly having an air bag, an air line and an air valve. An inflation valve bracket includes a channel and a flange depending from the channel. The channel is at least partially wrapped around the frame member. The flange has one or more openings with a corresponding air valve in each opening.

A kit for converting a tandem arrangement into a single-wheel arrangement for a towed agricultural machine includes an adapter with an attachment flange and fastener holes formed in this flange for the attachment of the attachment flange to a machine frame of the towed agricultural machine, a supporting axle mount formed on the attachment flange, a single-wheel axle arranged on the attachment flange, and a wheel flange arranged on the single-wheel axle for attaching a wheel rim.

An air ride suspension assembly or kit is provided for converting a leaf spring suspension arrangement on a motor vehicle having a solid rear axle to one supported by an air ride suspension assembly is disclosed in order to leverage the benefits of such air ride suspension systems to the conversion suspension assembly is disclosed. A leaf spring is removed and replaced with an upper support arm which is secured to the pre-existing leaf spring attachment sites on the chassis. A mount is then attached to the rear solid axle to which multiple connections are made from the upper support arm including an air bladder. The air ride conversion system can be supplied as a kit for installation by owners of vehicles where they routinely move heavy loads directly with the vehicle or by towing.

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.

A load management striker cap (LMSC), a method of forming the load management striker cap and a suspension system having the load management striker cap for a vehicle provide a cost-effective solution to manage a high load capacity in vehicles by absorbing surplus and extremely high energy transmitted by impact from a jounce bumper. The load management striker cap avoids transmission of the impact force to the frame of the vehicle as well as reduces failure of the suspension system components.

A system and method for a universal housing. The universal housing has a central void. The system also includes a sleeve sized to be received within the central void. The universal housing can be used to house a ball joint and a uniball interchangeably. This allows the consumer to switch between a ball joint or a uniball joint without replacing the support arm. This aids in flexibility and versatility as well as decreases the product and labor costs associated with changing from one type to another.

A retrofit kit for replacing an existing leaf spring suspension system, methods of replacing the existing leaf spring suspension systems, and suspension systems may include an upper load beam having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to pivotally mount to a vehicle. A lower control arm includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a mounting location positioned between the proximal end distal ends. The distal end of the lower control arm is configured to pivotally engage a leaf spring mounting eye provided on the vehicle. The mounting location on the lower control arm is configured to pivotally receive the proximal end of the upper load beam.

A retrofit kit for replacing an existing leaf spring suspension system, methods of replacing the existing leaf spring suspension systems, and suspension systems may include an upper load beam having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to pivotally mount to a vehicle. A lower control arm includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a mounting location positioned between the proximal end distal ends. The distal end of the lower control arm is configured to pivotally engage a leaf spring mounting eye provided on the vehicle. The mounting location on the lower control arm is configured to pivotally receive the proximal end of the upper load beam.