Track testing shows extremes new lift kits must go through to meet FMVSS 126 handling standards
Lifting a truck and putting bigger tires under them also changes the vehicle’s handling dynamics because ethe center of gravity is raised.
That’s why the special standards have recently been put in place to ensure such suspension products work with the vehicle’s factory electronic stability control (ESC) systems.
What does such testing entail? Pro Comp went through the certification to show the company’s 6″ lift for the 2015 Ford F-150 meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 126 (FMVSS 126).
In order to demonstrate that Pro Comp’s suspension system did not negatively affect these systems on the new Ford pickup, Pro Comp had tests performed on an F-150 outfitted with their 6” Stage I suspension, 35-inch Pro Comp Xtreme MT/2 tires mounted on 20-inch Vapor Pro Comp Alloy wheels.
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On the closed test course (watch video above), the Pro Comp equipped vehicle was accelerated to 50 mph at which point the computer takes over.
The robotically controlled wheel spins abruptly; left and right, up to 300 degrees in less than half a second and returns back to dead center causing the truck to change direction and begin to slide.
This event caused the trucks AdvanceTrac ESC system to activate and regain control.
When the data was analyzed, it conclusively demonstrated that the Pro Comp products did not interfere with the performance of the Ford F-150’s ESC systems.
In addition to being FMVSS 126 compliant, the new 6-inch F-150 suspension is covered by the Pro Comp Promise Lifetime Warranty.
This suspension system also qualifies for the Pro Comp Lift Shield 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty at no additional cost when installed by a Pro Comp Authorized Installer.