Compact and subcompact cars.
Small sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
Pickup trucks.
Commercial vans.
Minivans.
Some heavy-duty pickup trucks may also use single leaf springs for their front suspension.
Here are some specific examples of vehicles that may be fitted with single leaf springs:
Ford Ranger (single leaf in the front)
Chevrolet Colorado (single leaf in the front)
Dodge Dakota
Volkswagen Amarok
Mercedes-X Class
Mazda BT-50
Isuzu D-MAX
Holden Colorado/Commodore Ute (VE),
Toyota Hilux
Older model Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma
Older model Ford Ranger
Single leaf springs offer several advantages over multi-leaf springs, including:
Reduced weight: Single leaf springs are significantly lighter than multi-leaf springs, which can help improve fuel efficiency and handling.
Increased flexibility: Single leaf springs offer more flexibility than multi-leaf springs, which can provide a smoother ride and better traction.
Lower cost: Single leaf springs are less expensive to manufacture than multi-leaf springs, which can lead to lower vehicle prices.
However, single leaf springs also have some disadvantages, including:
Reduced load capacity: Single leaf springs have a lower load capacity than multi-leaf springs, which can limit their use in heavy-duty applications.
Susceptibility to breakage: Single leaf springs are more susceptible to breakage than multi-leaf springs, especially when overloaded or subjected to severe conditions.
Overall, single leaf springs are a suitable option for light-duty vehicles that require a balance of flexibility, reduced weight, and lower cost. They are most commonly found in smaller cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
