A new approach to the well known front end problem

[Charlie Lawhon]

I've recently been doing some R&D on a totally new front end suspension system for a road race vehicle we are building.

The base platform was a 95 2500. We made it a short bed single cab and back halved it to tuck 20 inches of contact patch inside the body line on each side.

We got rid of the steering gear box completely and updated it to rack and pinion.

The suspension I'm not going to say a WHOLE lot about because it's showing so much prospect I'm thinking about adding another patent to my collection as a mechanical designer but I will say this... its 2wd and lowered....... we did a drop test with the tires 10 inches off the ground and it almost looks like one of those high end remote control cars when you throw it on the ground when it lands.

Again this is to be a high speed road race series vehicle but I see potential for some of the things we're developing to be made available to the public for street and towing use.

Based on reaction here I'll make a decision of what to do.

I'm happy to answer questions but again I can't be super specific about what we did that made it work the way it does just yet nor will I be releasing images before a decision is made on whether or not to patent it for public distribution.

 

[BigPapa]

Welcome Charlie.

While personally I welcome any ideas for improvement on the 2nd Gens, I doubt you'll receive much interest. The 2nd Gens, I'm afraid, are being replaced by newer trucks. The steering and front suspension on the RWD's was adequate, so I wouldn't imagine you'll find a lot of fellows wanting to spend the kind of money you're talking about on a 17 to 26 year old truck.

Now, if it was for a 4x4, I imagine you'd get more interest. They are plagued with problems.

 

[JKellis]

I've recently been doing some R&D on a totally new front end suspension system for a road race vehicle we are building.

The base platform was a 95 2500. We made it a short bed single cab and back halved it to tuck 20 inches of contact patch inside the body line on each side.

We got rid of the steering gear box completely and updated it to rack and pinion.

The suspension I'm not going to say a WHOLE lot about because it's showing so much prospect I'm thinking about adding another patent to my collection as a mechanical designer but I will say this... its 2wd and lowered....... we did a drop test with the tires 10 inches off the ground and it almost looks like one of those high end remote control cars when you throw it on the ground when it lands.

Again this is to be a high speed road race series vehicle but I see potential for some of the things we're developing to be made available to the public for street and towing use.

Based on reaction here I'll make a decision of what to do.

I'm happy to answer questions but again I can't be super specific about what we did that made it work the way it does just yet nor will I be releasing images before a decision is made on whether or not to patent it for public distribution.

If a rack and pinion conversion could be accomplished with a combination of aftermarket brackets and salvage yard parts, you might see some interest. These trucks are getting old, but there are still quite a few really dedicated owners out there.

 

[Bill Lins]

Depending on the expense, I'd be interested- I plan to be buried in my truck! I'm even MORE interested in the truck road racing series- please advise when & where the events will be held & if the races will be televised.

 

[AEdelheit]

I read this as " I have a radical new idea but wont give any details but want to know who interested ". No offense but sounds pretty ridiculous, Ill patiently wait and see some details of this amazing new invention never seen before and doing a rack and pinion conversion with coil overs has certainly been seen before...

 

[Chief USA]

Do you mean something like this?

 

[BigPapa]

That diagram in the video is of a 4X4....

 

[Charlie Lawhon]

Welcome Charlie.

While personally I welcome any ideas for improvement on the 2nd Gens, I doubt you'll receive much interest. The 2nd Gens, I'm afraid, are being replaced by newer trucks. The steering and front suspension on the RWD's was adequate, so I wouldn't imagine you'll find a lot of fellows wanting to spend the kind of money you're talking about on a 17 to 26 year old truck.

Now, if it was for a 4x4, I imagine you'd get more interest. They are plagued with problems.

Thank you for your input.

 

[Charlie Lawhon]

If a rack and pinion conversion could be accomplished with a combination of aftermarket brackets and salvage yard parts, you might see some interest. These trucks are getting old, but there are still quite a few really dedicated owners out there.

Yes we successfully built brackets that allowed a direct built on for the rack and the hoses on the truck at the gear box even fit right to it.

I own an OEM company that builds heavy industrial equipment that is rebrands so things like this are easy for us to produce and package as a kit.

 

[Chief USA]

Welcome Charlie.

While personally I welcome any ideas for improvement on the 2nd Gens, I doubt you'll receive much interest. The 2nd Gens, I'm afraid, are being replaced by newer trucks. The steering and front suspension on the RWD's was adequate, so I wouldn't imagine you'll find a lot of fellows wanting to spend the kind of money you're talking about on a 17 to 26 year old truck.

Now, if it was for a 4x4, I imagine you'd get more interest. They are plagued with problems.

Ditto! On all accounts. Welcome Charlie.

 

[Charlie Lawhon]

Depending on the expense, I'd be interested- I plan to be buried in my truck! I'm even MORE interested in the truck road racing series- please advise when & where the events will be held & if the races will be televised.

I'm glad you brought price point up. The things we've done are not super expensive as far as parts. The big deal is the R&D that goes into it. If there isn't that many people interested I might be persuaded to supply basics at a reasonable price that would be more suited for a hobbyist that likes to "test and tune" themselves.

As far as a race series I'm not sure how that will play out. This all began as a pet project of one of my best friends. He's a drag racer and I suggested we build the truck triathlon capable for drag/ road course/ Texas mile. We have a local road course 30 min away that is a membership track we could play on, on the weekends.

The main thing is I know a lot of guys love these trucks and if we have something useful I'm happy to supply parts. Right now the truck feels good hooking a 90 degree corner at 50 mph and doesn't even make a sound at the rubber.

 

[Charlie Lawhon]

I read this as " I have a radical new idea but wont give any details but want to know who interested ". No offense but sounds pretty ridiculous, Ill patiently wait and see some details of this amazing new invention never seen before and doing a rack and pinion conversion with coil overs has certainly been seen before...

I like your style. I'm the same way. No it's not coil over.

 

[Charlie Lawhon]

Do you mean something like this?

That's the deal. I have not seen parts offered online but as we all know the internet is getting less and less capable of finding what we request and I may have simply not seen it.

The rack and pinion is pretty easy and straight forward.

 

[BigPapa]

Do you mean something like this?

Also, got to thinking about it on lunch, I've never heard of a Death Wobble on a RWD. Anyone else?

 

[Charlie Lawhon]

That diagram in the video is of a 4X4....

View attachment 118704

Agreed. No idler arm there. I don't think rack and pinion could be safely done on a 4x4 as an after market conversion.

 

[Charlie Lawhon]

Also, got to thinking about it on lunch, I've never heard of a Death Wobble on a RWD. Anyone else?

I was thinking the same thing but I'm not a guru.

 

[AEdelheit]

I like your style. I'm the same way. No it's not coil over.

Well im curious but also what do you consider to be the well known front end problem on the IFS 2 wd trucks?

 

[Charlie Lawhon]

Well im curious but also what do you consider to be the well known front end problem on the IFS 2 wd trucks?

Good question! Mostly my opinion of the front end problem is the driving experience that gives a feeling of the vehicle being worn out and tired even when you replace all the ball joints and steering wear parts(tie rod ends/ idler/ Pittman..) and shocks.

I now drive a 2015 eco diesel 4x4 limited. I love this truck and would like to see the 2nd gen have this feel although I don't think air ride is the answer for the Cummins.

 

[GAmes]

"Do you guys want to totally ditch the 2wd front end issues?"

What issues? 3 sets of ball joint with almost 1.4 million. Tires last close to 100k miles. I didn't know I had a issue.

(Sorry for the font, my computer just switched to the one you posted with)

 

[GAmes]

Back to my original font. We have a 2019 Ram. I don't think it drives or handles much different than my '97. It is smoother is all.