Our v2 tension rods was released in 2005, and while it has been a great product, there were certain improvements we wanted to make. So we set out to design our new v3 tension rods with the following goals: . SPL hybrid adjuster . Increased range of adjustment . Lighter weight . Increased strength . Endura bearing . Improved corrosion resistance The v3 tension rods feature a larger diameter aluminum rod (1 3/8" vs 1 1/4"), with the same machined mounting holes for our brake cooling deflectors we introduced with our v2 tension rods. The v3 rod however is gundrilled in order to reduce weight. But with the larger diameter and additional material in certain spots, our v3 tension rods weigh less and is stronger than our v2 tension rods! Our v3 tension rods are 45% lighter than the stock tension rods! The v2 tension rods was designed to be cheap and easy to service, but some customers (especially those in the north) were not happy with the eventual breakdown of the rubber rod end seals, and surface corrosion of the bearing housing and adjuster. With our v3 tension rods, we address these complaints by using an Endura bearing, with its slot-loaded injection-molded liner. The Endura bearing is self-cleaning, so there is no need for rubber rod end seals as with our v2 tension rods. Our new Endura bearing housing is chrome plated and our hybrid adjuster is nickel plated to prevent surface corrosion. Our unique hybrid adjuster provides greater corrosion resistance with its e-nickel plating, greater precision through its tight tolerance threading, and eliminates bearing bind with the clamp system on the rod end. But in addition to all that, the hybrid adjuster also provides a 40% increase in the range of caster adjustment (~3.7 deg vs. 2.6deg) over our v2 tension rods! [ http://www.splprosuspension.com/adjuster.html ] The v3 tension rods put together many improvements to be a real step up from our v2 tension rods. And our v3 tension rods continue to be made in the USA for best quality. The flip side is that the v3 tension rods do cost us more to manufacture, so pricing will be increased to $198 starting Jul 1. But for the next 2 weeks, you can order our v3 tension rods at the old v2 price of $189! All customers with our v1 and v2 tension rods can also trade-up to our v3 tension rods at a subsidized price of $121. The old tension rods have to be returned to us to receive the trade-up pricing. Other customers can also trade-up to our tension rods from other brand adjustable tension rods, at a competitive trade-in price of $165. For more information about our upgrade program, please check out: [ http://www.splparts.com/upgrade.html ]
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