Why does Ford have a solid front axle?

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Oct 6, 2017 | 10:06 PM

#16

RedRage

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Tuned

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From: Calhan, CO

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He felt pretty bad already. I did not want to add to his woes. He returned his truck to the original tires. He said that he had lost confidence in the front end. It was repaired under warranty but was told that would be the first and last time.

Oct 7, 2017 | 02:39 AM

#17

honda250xtitan

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What an idiot. People like that are why dealerships question warranty work. He should've lost confidence in his decision making ability, not the truck.

Oct 7, 2017 | 03:19 AM

#18

brickman

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Joined: Apr 2007

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From: Southern Ontario Canada

My full size Bronco had iFS, it rode nice but was a pain to service and replace the U joints. Wouldn't want it in a 3500.

Oct 7, 2017 | 05:09 AM

#19

Hockeylover86

Trailering

Joined: Oct 2016

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At least the IFS doesn't get the "death wobble"

In truck pulls I have seen plenty of SFA trucks break, but if the GM IFS trucks have tie rod sleeves they hold up to more HP than most Ford's will make.

The IFS is plenty strong, I think Ford keeps the SFA because the image it presents and the fact the design and development are long paid for = profit margin.

Oct 7, 2017 | 06:37 AM

#20

senix

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From: Frederick, MD

This is what they are famous for. But they are better now, but still want to revert back to old times

Oct 7, 2017 | 06:43 AM

#21

brickman

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From: Southern Ontario Canada

Wow that ain't goin nowhere! Can't even pull it over to the side of the road! The F150 looks like it's trying not to laugh..

Oct 7, 2017 | 06:46 AM

#22

senix

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From: Frederick, MD

It was my neighbors'. It had to be dragged onto a flat bed. Nice deep grove in the road.

Oct 7, 2017 | 09:24 AM

#23

RedRage

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Tuned

Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Calhan, CO

Not!

IFS is a weak design. Just look underneath the front of the gm truck and you will see how small everything is. By the way, how many kits to convert your SFA to IFS are there? Nobody does that! After what I saw, I'll never own a 3/4 or 1ton truck with IFS.

Oct 7, 2017 | 09:53 AM

#24

j759ll

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Joined: Aug 2017

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From: White Oak

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSLTRK60

I don't think the current GM IFS is weak by any means, just more costly to maintain. Ford and RAM continue the solid axle trend because it's cheap to build, easier to align, and customers continue to want them.

You won't see independent rear suspension, because it would be far too costly to engineer/build a system to handle the weight requirements of today's HD pickups.

The military can afford 5 ton trucks with independent rear suspension, but again those probably cost $500000 each.

I agree and the solid axle trucks weakness is the old time leaf spring which break and the pin snaps and your truck is going down the road sideways so please put thi to rest it was an idiot doing something the manu never intended it to do.