June 23, 2006
¾ Ton Pickup Sheds 55% of Spring Weight With Hybrid Technology
Englewood, OH – Suspension designers realized a 55% reduction in weight when replacing two steel leaf springs with Liteflex lightweight composite springs for ¾ ton 4x4 pickup. The original, all-steel design tipped the scales at 69 pounds while the hybrid steel-and-composite version weighed in at just 31 pounds. In addition to greater fuel efficiency and increased payload capacity, the lighter weight also increases the vehicles horsepower-to-weight ratio for faster acceleration. Elimination of metal-to-metal contact on the leaf-springs also results in a quieter ride with the hybrid springs.
Load-deflection testing has shown that Liteflex lightweight composite springs, a proprietary mixture of fiberglass and epoxy, are virtually identical to steel. A fatigue life that is nearly 10-times that of steel eliminates the sagging that is common with steel leaf springs over time. Virtually indestructible Liteflex lightweight composite springs provide life-of-vehicle service.
Liteflex lightweight composite springs provide significant weight savings and performance gains for automotive, truck, military, RV, and off-road vehicle manufacturers. Changing from steel leaf springs saved Corvette suspension designers 34 pounds per spring, or nearly 81% of the weight when composite springs replaced steel leaf springs. In addition to tangible performance gains, composite springs provide faster responsiveness to changing road conditions than their steel leaf-spring predecessors. The 2006 Corvette model year marks the 25th Anniversary since the performance auto manufacturer switched to Liteflex lightweight composite springs. The Englewood-based international company has supplied lightweight composite springs for every Corvette to come off the assembly line since the start of the 1981 model year.
In addition to weight savings, suspension designers can include integral ball joints and other components which reduce extraneous component costs and the labor required to install them. Composite springs have proven to be quieter while providing a smoother ride, which leads to increased customer satisfaction. Liteflex® composite springs are ideal for performance vehicles, tractor-trailers, small trucks, military vehicles, or any vehicle where weight reduction and its inherent increase in acceleration and fuel efficiency is important.
For more information on Liteflex Composite Springs, please call (937) 836-7025 ext 206, e-mail info@liteflex.net, or write to Liteflex LLC, 100 Holiday Drive, Englewood, OH 45322.
Liteflex LLC has been providing composite springs for 30 years. They are in use on over 15 million vehicles, including GM, Ford, Range Rover, DaimlerChrysler, Iveco, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Freightliner and Navistar, and others. All facilities are ISO/TS 16949:2009 certified.
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