It’s no secret that aftermarket companies like Energy Suspension seek to make the best product possible. On its own, Energy Suspension has a wealth of resources to draw from to make a product from scratch–but did you know one of those resources could be you and your truck?

Energy Suspension’s big draw comes from its polyurethane construction used in all the bushings it makes.

The Research Vehicle program at the company is currently putting the call out for a handful of trucks needed to develop bushings and other suspension components. If you’re the owner of one of three desired makes and models and live local to the headquarters in San Clemente, California, then you’re already part of the way to getting a free upgrade.

We spoke with Mike Santacruz, Energy’s director of marketing, to get a better understanding of the program and what it boils down to. “The program has been around officially for about five years now,” he said. “We like it because it gets us connected with a wide variety of drivers, from your weekend warriors to the average Joe, and it also really benefits our R&D process.”

“It’s beneficial because we can actually test fit and finish of a product, rather than just say to someone, ‘Well, it met with all the X and Y requirements and measurements on our computer, so it should fit.'”

Whether gas or diesel, Energy Suspension is interested in 2009.5-14 Dodge Ram 2500 to experiment on

Desired makes and models include the following: a 4WD 2004.5-09 Dodge Ram 2500 HD, with the 5.9-liter or 6.7-liter Cummins motor; a 4WD 2008-10 Ford F-250/F-350 with the 6.2-liter gasoline or 6.7-liter diesel motor; and a 2WD or 4WD 2007-14 Chevrolet 1500/2500HD/3500HD with any available motor. “We’ll take trucks that have some mild lift already installed, provided they still use the stock arms,” said Santacruz.

One of the requested vehicles is a 2007-14 Chevy 1500, in either 2WD or 4WD. Also acceptable is a 2007-14 2500 or 3500.

For the best results, and in the spirit of the program, the folks that want to register should take heed that they are part of a research process. Energy Suspension learns a lot from getting to work with test vehicles, from fitment to ride comfort to durability, and seeks to work with truck owners who want to be involved by offering feedback and criticism.

“At the end of the day, having research vehicles has been a great blessing because we have the justification,” said Santacruz. “That is, we know that the part fits as opposed to there being any guesswork. We also like to let the product ‘breathe,’ so to speak, by letting the customer carry on with their regular driving routine for a few weeks and then give us feedback. It keeps us on top of our game.”

To find out how to sign up for the program and see what else Energy Suspension has cooking, see the below contact information. Don’t forget to like the company on Facebook for photos, promotions, and other announcements too.