Not sure what tie rod ends have to do with whether it has an axle or not. One's steering, the other is suspension. What prevents a manufacturer from using the exact same tie rod ends driven by a rack and pinion hanging over an independent suspension?

Why would you want a 1950s era V8? Modern designs are SO much better than that!

 

Chevys.... IFS in HD trucks.... Tie rod ends.... Flopping tires.... Joke.... Laughter.... No?

It's not just the tie rods failing, but frames cracking, torsion bars breaking, CVs and u-joints blowing. Chevy's main problem is an undersized system in a fat truck, and even with the aluminum Jenny Craig Diet Ford's aren't exactly svelte so change management of rolling out a better IFS would take some effort to mitigate the most-known issues.

Ford can replace their currently-crappy Tiwn I-Beam IFS with one that doesn't suffer from the common complaints associated with the only brand that runs IFS in their HD 4wd trucks, prove that it's not a bad system when done better, then migrate to a 4wd version of the system. To me there's literally nothing to lose in replacing the Twin I-Beam, so use it to prove Ford won't have the same failure-points as Chevy deals with.

 

I could live with a V6 diesel too. Actually, a V6 version of the 6.7L putting out 300/600 would suit me perfectly, assuming it could be had for $5-6k over the gasser instead of $9k like the 6.7L

 

You can have that in a few months, its called the Nissan Titan and I hope more people give it a serious look. I know I will for my future truck. I don't need and don't want to pay for the extra capability I don't need in a 3/4 ton truck.

 

Sure, before 2011, but the new GM HD IFS is stronger than what's under the Super Duty. It still may not have quite the wheel travel and ground clearance isn't as good, but it's strong, I will give them that. I have yet to do any suspension work on the 2011 HD's in our fleet. Fords? Well......

If you look at the Super Duty forum on this site, I think the about most common issues reported are front ball joint and axle/bearing problems.

 

I considered the Titan. As much as I love Ford, Nissan is a close second for me.

With that said, the new Titan is ugly.

Josh

 

I'd be curious to know how many of these issues were caused by lift kits, oversized tires and working the truck beyond Ford's recommended capabilities.

The market definition of these trucks is "light duty".

 

I've seen lots of folks with bone stock trucks with balljoint issues. Redford's truck needs balljoints for the second time, and he just rolled over 100,000 miles. I don't think it happens to every truck, but it's certainly a common issue.

 

I needed ball joints in my 1986 and 1988 F-150's well before the 75K mile mark and my trucks were bone stock. Neither of these trucks had serviceable ball joints from the factory. I don't consider ball joints to be a deal breaker, the front end takes a pounding.

 

Running 37" x 13.50" for 10 years and 100K+ miles, just had to replace ball joints.

Cost of doing business. No feelings hurt here.

 

If the Titan XD had a on it, then it would likely be my next truck, as it's specs are exactly what I'm looking for. However, I've never felt comfortable in anything else, and nothing seems to fit me like a Ford.

 

I believe Nissan is calling the Titan XD a 1/2 ton, but I've noticed that most 1/2 trucks cost just as much, if not more, than the heavy duty trucks do. Lastly, according to the Fast Lane Truck on YouTube, "our" government used taxpayer's money and/or/a.k.a, the Bank of China's money to help Cummins fund the 5.0L diesel engine project. The Cummins 5.0L diesel engine was developed for another manufactures truck, but shelved for nine years before Nissan contracted to use it in their Titan XD trucks. Just knowing this, I hope the Nissan Titan XD fails miserably

 

Stiffening the frame sure makes a huge difference in ride quality.

 

Pretty sure Dodge and Nissan were part of that same program (2008?) to use a small V8 in a 1/2 ton truck. Dodge was bought out by Fiat and that program went to a Fiat diesel engine.

Nissan doesn't sell very many trucks, so it will be interesting how it works out for them.

Josh

 

I'm sure a Titan diesel will be same cost as a F-250 6.7. I plan on test driving one, looks pretty nice. I just bought the wife a new Nissan Armada back in May, but I personally like driving American brands and Ford is my favorite. I welcome competition from all, it benefits us!