Abstract: In a system for controlling the US-OS characteristic of a vehicle having front and rear suspensions, a device for changing the US-OS characteristic is provided which is adapted to alter the roll stiffness distribution between the front and the rear suspensions. A turning state quantity is detected and the changing rate of a turning state quantity is determined. A control device is further provided which is adapted to respond to the turning state quantity and the changing rate of the turning state quantity, and to control the US-OS characteristic changing device so that the higher the changing rate of the turning state quantity is, the more the US-OS characteristic may be shifted toward higher over-steer, and for the same changing rate the higher the turning state quantity is, the more the US-OS characteristic may be shifted toward higher under-steer.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly is mounted at the rear end of a vehicle adapted for having an implement mounted to its forward end. The counterweight assembly is incorporated into a rear bumper assembly and includes rectangular weights having notched lower edges received on a pair of transversely spaced bumper mounting rods. The mounting rods are received in holes provided in a rear cross member of the vehicle frame and have nuts received on threaded forward ends.