When did Ford go to Twin I Beam?
Ford's transition to the Twin I Beam front suspension system occurred in the late 1960s. The Twin I Beam design, which featured two independent front suspension arms, was first introduced on Ford's light-duty trucks in 1965 and later expanded to the company's passenger car lineup in the late 1960s.
The Origins of the Twin I Beam
The Twin I Beam front suspension was developed by Ford as an alternative to the traditional solid front axle design that had been used in trucks and some passenger cars for decades. The Twin I Beam system offered several advantages, including improved ride quality, better handling, and increased wheel travel compared to the solid axle setup.
Ford first introduced the Twin I Beam on its light-duty trucks in 1965, and the design quickly gained popularity due to its performance and durability benefits. The company then began transitioning its passenger car lineup to the Twin I Beam suspension in the late 1960s, starting with models like the Ford Mustang and Ford Falcon.
The Transition to Twin I Beam in Ford's Passenger Cars
The adoption of the Twin I Beam suspension in Ford's passenger cars was a gradual process that took place over several years in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The first Ford passenger car to feature the Twin I Beam design was the 1967 Mustang, followed by the 1968 Falcon and other models in the subsequent years. web>
The transition to the Twin I Beam suspension was part of Ford's broader efforts to improve the ride quality and handling of its vehicles, particularly in response to growing consumer demand for more responsive and comfortable driving experiences. The Twin I Beam design offered a significant improvement over the solid front axle setup, providing better wheel articulation and a more refined driving feel.
By the early 1970s, the Twin I Beam suspension had become a standard feature across much of Ford's passenger car lineup, cementing its place as a key component of the company's engineering and design philosophy.
