These are some images of Suspensions, particularly of Ford products.
These are good for visually seeing the various parts for reference.

This is the rear Suspension from a 2007 Expedition. You can see Ford has
done away with traditional shock absorbers and redesigned an assembly
with Struts (much like a car). This also allows for IRS.

This is a 2004-up F150 Chassis. Ford uses the usual leaf spring setup
(this type of suspension is sturdy, simple, and easy to manufacturer).
The rear shock absorbers are outboard of the frame and springs, which
is better for "tracking" (having the rear go in a straight line and
follow the front better).

The front has been all newly designed with a Strut, like a car. Or like
a Toyota, one of the first companies to use this type of setup on a
pickup truck. Since 2004, Dodge and GM have followed suit and now
offer their own Strut front ends for the 1500 payload full size trucks.

There are several reasons for this setup, but the number reason in my
opinion is simply to make the light trucks as much as a car as possible.
People today don't want their trucks to be real trucks, in the sense that
they will give up some durability (such as Ford's indestructible I-Beam
setup) for a more car like feel when driving.

In the end, it was (is) popular with Toyota drivers, so most new truck
manufacturers have adapted and gone to this Suspension setup.

Rear Suspension of a Ford Edge. It's IRS, with traditional
Shock Absorbers and Coil Springs.

The 2005 Ford Mustang rear Suspension. Traditional Coil-Spring and Shock
Absorber assembly. Notice the torque damper (dogbone) on the differential,
Panhard bar and sway bar.

2005 Ford Mustang front Suspension. Gone are the separate Strut and Spring
setup used from 1979 to 2003/04. Now the suspension is more traditional
and a whole lot easier to setup for performance.

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The Media images were provided by Ford Motor Company and
Dave Lindsay Photography.