AM / FM stereo radio, in-dash All Weather Air Conditioning, telescopically adjustable steering column, and a Special Purpose Chassis Equipment ( " Z17 " ) handling package, consisting of a special performance suspension and quick ratio steering box, were significant new options for 1965.
32.
It was the first mass production off-road vehicle to feature a unibody architecture, independent front suspension with coil springs, and is a predecessor to current crossover SUVs which nearly all follow this format; it inspired the recirculating ball truck steering box for off-road reliability.
33.
A separate GT " rally-tuned " suspension option included tuned front and rear sway bars, " Hi-Control " rear leaf springs with " iso-clamp " pads, special strut rod bushings, adjustable Gabriel " Strider " shock absorbers, as well as heavy-duty brakes and a quick ratio steering box.
34.
The package included a total lowered ride height of approximately 2 " over stock ( 1.5 " from suspension, ~ 0.5 " from shorter tire diameter ), thicker front sway bar ( 33mm ), rear sway bar ( 23mm ), quicker ratio ( 12 : 1 ) steering box, upgraded Decarbon or Bilstein gas shock absorbers, and a frame brace.
35.
The steering linkages connecting the steering box and the wheels usually conform to a variation of Ackermann steering geometry, to account for the fact that in a turn, the inner wheel is actually travelling a path of smaller radius than the outer wheel, so that the degree of toe suitable for driving in a straight path is not suitable for turns.
