Super Duty redesign?
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Missouri
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Not True. My current '05 (which has been traded for a'13) has 143782 miles on it and the front end has never been touch. In contrast the last chev ('98) had the front end totally replaced at 73673 miles and was ready for another front end at 106759 miles when I got rid of it for my current '05. A solid axle is by far better than IFS system.
Yeesh...that ancient Twin I-beam front suspension isn't much to write home about either.
I'm not trying to say that the solid front axle is a bad thing, but there are some great reasons for IFS. And the idea that you can't design an IFS system that's tough enough is a complete myth. I like my Excursion and it's solid axle, but I would like it better if it had a solid independent setup.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
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From: Missouri
IFS is great for serious off roading, and Sunday drives. solid fronts are good for heavy duty stuff. I think the reasoning is that our trucks are targeted at hauling not off roading. Obviously we push them off road but they aren't rock climbers. I feel that a SA is very appropriate. It would be nice to have the option of both, perhaps as a heavy duty front suspension package. But the overhead for such a thing would be too great.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Golden, CO
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Virginia beach, VA
-overall weaker than solid axle
-hardly any suspension travel
-more expensive/complicated to lift
The only benefit is a nicer ride, which I don't see why everyone is so concerned with (i.e. the softer rear springs in the 11+ that squat like crazy). Its a heavy duty truck and should be designed for payload capacity, not a smooth ride.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,015
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From: Lakehills, TX
While I'm sure it's technologically possible to engineer an IFS system that won't go pigeon-toed like when Chevys are pushed hard, I can't imagine it's worth it. They'll still be much more complex in design with more parts to break, more complex to maintain properly, more painful to lift, and more painful to work on. And while now the D60 is getting unit bearings for some reason, at least the have the option of switching back to proper spindles and hubs.
By the way...Bruin008, you really think that old 4th generation Mustang was the best looking one? Really? Better looking than the 5th? I can't imagine you'll find too many people who'd agree with you.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
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From: Frederick, MD
SFA gets my money. IFS goes to the scrap yard.
IFS rides like a car on the hwy. That is the draw to them. But too weak overall and not a serious competitor for anything of real weight in its current form.
I Prefer the SFA especially for the heavier towing.
You can avoid ESOF problems by getting a manual 4x4 system.
IFS rides like a car on the hwy. That is the draw to them. But too weak overall and not a serious competitor for anything of real weight in its current form.
I Prefer the SFA especially for the heavier towing.
You can avoid ESOF problems by getting a manual 4x4 system.
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 521
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From: Alexandria, Ohio
Not like a GM. Like the '73-'79 wheel wells. The rounded ones have been around since '87.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
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From: Mesa AZ
The two main reasons are durability and capability. It is hard enough to keep front end alignment as it is on a solid axle truck....I would hate to have to deal with IFS. The light trucks like our F-250/350 models aren't much of a problem but the higher class trucks have so much weight on the front axle that things actually bend over time. Fleet drivers are hard on vehicles, they would make short work of an IFS set up. We have tons of front end problems with our 2500 GMC trucks. If they can barely hold together in a 3/4 ton truck, then there isn't much hope for the higher class trucks. When GM was building medium duty trucks, they came with solid front axles.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2013
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V10 would be a nice choice but with the economy as it is, I doubt it would ever be offered again.....unless of course they could get it to 15+ mpg's.