and like I said, I would like to see that same test done on an older truck.. why has tailgate buckling never been a problem before? i used to twist the crap out of my old 1990 F250 4x4 back in Arizona down by Bumblebee..never had the bed bend, frame break or the tailgate buckle...and these trucks were notorious for having "weak" frames...

 

GM frames have been cracking at the steering box for decades back in the old days.
And frame flex actually helped with articulation of solid axles in the old days.
And although we broke axles, transfer cases and just about everything else, we never broke frames. We used to box portions of frames when we started going to multi link and coils, but in the end, the old c channel frames were simple and very durable.

 

The biggest issue I have with this test is the unlikelyhood of getting traction enough to twist a truck that much. They are able to do it in the test with 4x4 and momentum on a grippy surface. In a real world situation I don't see how you could flex a truck that much...unless you drive it diagonally down over a 40" cliff. And if that's the case, it becomes an accident. And things bend and break in accidents.

 

This video does an outstanding job of demonstrating the off road benefits on an open C. These tires, i imagine, are quite heavy also.

 

Hope the 45mph wheel hop goes away. Seems like a problem Ford has experienced for too many years.

Bruce

 

Sure, I wouldn't mind seeing the test on an older truck....

But I honestly don't see a different outcome.....what idiot loads their truck up with 3000 (?) Pounds and drives one side of the truck up a 3' ramp.......as dumb as driving 30 MPH over uneven speed bumps, IMHO.

 

That is a good point my 16 had that right from the get go and so did my 2009 all of its 169000 life , however since adding two leaf springs per side all has stopped from 45 - 50 mph :-)

lol one good thing that came out of FORDS softer ride