4x4 Suspension Handbook: Jeep, Ford, Dodge, GM, Toyota, and more

The popularity of off roading and rock crawling is at an all-time high, and many people are upgrading their suspension systems for increased off-road prowess as well as for asthetic and show purposes.

4x4 and off-road suspension systems can be complicated, so it's important to understand them well before making modifications and upgrades.

Author Trenton McGee, 4x4 suspension expert and host of Outdoor Channel's Off-Road Adventures, explains 4x4 suspension systems in an easy-to-understand manner. He gets specific on the types of suspensions available from all the major manufacturers including Jeep, Toyota, Ford, Chevy, and Dodge. He goes into a great level of detail on every different model, including early and modern model systems.

The book covers front and rear solid axle, twin-traction beam, and independent suspension systems, as well as coil springs, leaf springs, shocks, and more.

Covering four-wheel-drive suspension systems and how they can be modified for better off-road performance, this book has it all. If it's not covered here, it doesn't exist. A glossary of suspension terms and a comprehensive source guide are also included.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Suspension Basics
Read this first! | What lift systems affect | Common misconceptions regarding lift systems | Determinig which lift system is best for you | What to look for in a lift system | The domino effect

Chapter 2: Suspension Theory
What goes on behind the scenes | Suspension geometry | Alignment explained | Leaf spring tech | Coil spring tech | Shock absorbers

Chapter 3: Solid Front Axle with Leaf Springs
Basic anatomy | Steering | The specifics | '69-'91 Chevy trucks | '41-'95 Jeep CJs and YJs | '99-'04 Super Duty trucks | '79-'85 Toyota pickups | Other applications

Chapter 4: Solid Axle with Coil Springs
Shocking matters | In a bind | The infamous "Death Wobble" | Coil vs. coil-overs | Ford trucks | Jeep vehicles | Dodge trucks

Chapter 5: Twin-Traction Beam (TTB)
How it works | Lift system basics | Alignment matters | Steering straight | Tire wear | Radius arms | Choosing the right spring | The bottom line

Chapter 6: Independent Front Suspensions (IFS) with Torsion Bars
How it works | Suspension basics | The bracket method | Knuckle method | Control arms | Differentials/CV axles | Skid plates | Torsion bars | Steering | Controlling suspension travel | Other issues | Shorter lift systems

Chapter 7: Independent Front Suspension with Struts
Suspension basics | Lift systems basics | Traction control: New challenges | Knuckels and subframes | Strut matters | Shorter lifts

Chapter 8: Rear Suspension
Leaf springs: The gold standard | Coil springs | Axle Wrap | Driveline Vibration

Chapter 9: Custom and High-Performance Suspension Systems
Ready-made high performance | Tube tech chassis | Other suspension designs | Racing inspiration | The domino effect

Appendices
Suspension glossary | Source guide