We've been seeing the Trail Master name on trucks since before we could walk, and the company has recently gone through some major revamping, coming back after being M.I.A. for a few years. Trail Master is just starting to ramp up production of all new suspension systems and accessories, but did not have its new remote-reservoir shocks available in time for testing. Even without remote-reservoir shocks, the truck performed well and bombed the bumpy dirt roads in comfort. And we like that they were in fact the only ones to show up to the challenge with their base-priced kit, having full faith that it would be able to keep up and compare with all the other companies' top-of-the-line kits. That's what you call confidence in your own product.
| New A-arms? | No |
| New CV shafts? | No |
| New knuckles? | Yes |
| New tie rods? | No |
Rear suspension Add-a-leaf
and block combo
CV-shaft bind? | No |
Steering correction Knuckle
New front sway-bar
links or brackets? | Yes |
Remote-reservoir or
dual shocks? | No |
Type Trail Master SSV shocks
Shocks included in kit? | Yes |
| Brake lines addressed? | Yes |
| Front skidplate included? | Optional |
Emergency brake cable
length addressed? | Yes |
| Cut fenders to fit tires? | No |
| Anything break this weekend? | No |
| Base price | $1,485 |
| Price as tested | $1,485 |
True additional height (measured
from center of hub to top of
fender in inches) | 4 7/8 |
| Claimed lift (in) | 6 |
| Ground to subframe (in) | 11 3/4 |
| Track width (in) | 67 7/8 |
Praises
* Nice sway-bar links with set-pressure bushings
* Front skidpan hides the diff from harm
* Easy kit to install
Complaints
* Little soft in front; too mushy in high-speed duning
* Mix of Grade 5 and Grade 8 hardware
* Bumpstops too small