Acela Truck Company announced an expansion to its severe-service chassis portfolio with new Class 3-5 Ford F-Series and Ram 4x4 platforms equipped with its proprietary DuraLink suspension system. The development provides specialty vehicle manufacturers and upfitters a turnkey alternative to conventional lift kits.
Alongside its Class 1-2 Jeep Gladiator-based Breacher and Class 6–8 Monterra 4x4 and 6x6 truck platforms, the DuraLink-equipped Ford and Ram platforms expand Acela's severe-duty chassis offerings to cover all Truck Classes 1 through 8.
Designed for on and off-highway applications, Acela's DuraLink suspension solutions transform OEM Ford and Ram truck chassis into severe service, high-mobility platforms engineered for demanding commercial, governmental, defense and other vocational users.
DuraLink is a total suspension solution that incorporates a multi-rate four-link suspension design with Bilstein coil-over and racing-tuned shock absorbers, along with optimized steering geometry and chassis control interfaces designed to address VDC, ABS and speedometer calibration when modifying the OEM chassis.
The system is engineered to increase wheel travel, improve damping and rebound control, reduce negative steering feedback caused by other "kits" and provide the additional ride height and ground clearance necessary to accommodate larger defense-rated tires. Additionally, super-single wheel and tire configurations are available with tires up to 42 inches.
Additionally, the increased mobility of the platform can open applications where conventional wheeled trucks have historically been limited. In some mission profiles, the increased capability can provide an alternative to tracked vehicles while retaining the highway mobility and logistical advantages of a wheeled platform.
DuraLink-equipped chassis are available with a 5-year warranty.
