Pro Comp Stressing Safety One Part at a Time

4-inch Long-Travel Suspension Kit Aces Test

Pro Comp USA recently had another of the aftermarket parts it manufactures undergo FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) testing. This time it was the 4-inch Long-Travel Suspension Kit component on a 2014 Toyota Tundra. Arizona-based Link Vehicle Testing put the truck through its paces and the suspension kit passed the exam for certification.

Passing Grades 

Pro Comp Marketing Manager Chloe Eady points out that they are the first manufacturer to meet the challenge. “Pro Comp is excited to gain FMVSS approval on this kit, as we are the first manufacturer of performance suspension to do so,” says Eady. Other Pro Comp suspension systems that have passed the FMVSS test include the 6-inch suspension system on a 2014 Ram 1500 and the 3.5-inch system on a 2014 Jeep Wrangler.

At the November, 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas the brand new 4-inch Long-Travel Suspension Kit was displayed on the Tundra truck along with other builds in the Transamerican Manufacturing Group area. Industry insiders were impressed with the kit’s 14 inches of travel and a five-inch wider track.

Let the Test Begin 

The Tundra was outfitted with a network of monitoring sensors before the driver accelerated the truck to 50 mph. Automated robotics then take over and initiate a sudden swerve that mimics a panic lane change maneuver. The maneuver’s second half is meant to induce over-steer to give a good idea of how safe a vehicle performs in these extreme conditions.

“The vehicle was very stable and had no issues passing the FMVSS test,” says John Tate, vehicle test engineer at Link Vehicle Testing. For over 30 years, the Link Engineering Company has conducted testing for a wide array of vehicle components and they also design and manufacture precision test equipment. Link is mainly focused on assessing components located behind the engine including tires, wheels, transmissions and steering systems.

Better Safe 

FMVSS test data is collected then analyzed to comply with NHTSA guidelines. According to Eady, Pro Comp is dedicated to undergoing unbiased evaluations of truck and Jeep parts conducted by third parties. “We’re constantly striving for innovation and will continue to raise the industry standards in the name of performance and safety.”

Pro Comp has plans to pair more of its equipment with various truck and Jeep models for testing. Soon they will apply for FMVSS testing for their six-inch suspension kit on a Ford F-150 truck.