Advantages?? Dana 44 IFS vs Solid axle
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Calvert County, Maryland
Advantages?? Dana 44 IFS vs Solid axle
I hava an 86 FS Bronco with a Dana 44 IFS. Was wondering about differences (besides the obvious physical attributes) in articulation and performance. Which is easier to maintain, more reliable, gives better articulation, etc?
Now I know there are a host of different opinions out there so I'd be interested to hear both fact and opinion based upon experiences.
Thanks,
~Shawn
Now I know there are a host of different opinions out there so I'd be interested to hear both fact and opinion based upon experiences.
Thanks,
~Shawn
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
SA is easier to maintain and work on.....a much simpler design. cheaper to get parts for and many many more upgrade options than it's ttb counterpart!
it's actually a ttb system, not an IFS. if it were IFS the 2 sides would be totally separate. the ttb can be tuned to handle a good amount of air time. costs more to work on and is more difficult to work om. not as many upgrade options. harder to keep tires from wearing funny on the ttb
i've had both and prefer SA over ttb any day unless i am dune hopping with a lot of speed and expect some good air!
-cutts-
it's actually a ttb system, not an IFS. if it were IFS the 2 sides would be totally separate. the ttb can be tuned to handle a good amount of air time. costs more to work on and is more difficult to work om. not as many upgrade options. harder to keep tires from wearing funny on the ttb
i've had both and prefer SA over ttb any day unless i am dune hopping with a lot of speed and expect some good air!
-cutts-
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
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I think that unless your planning on lots of air time that a solid axel is better.
A SA may not ride as great as a IFS but they are easier to work on, cheaper to work on, can be lifted easier, hold an alignment much better and are definitely stronger. That is why all the new trucks went back to SA. Just my opinion
A SA may not ride as great as a IFS but they are easier to work on, cheaper to work on, can be lifted easier, hold an alignment much better and are definitely stronger. That is why all the new trucks went back to SA. Just my opinion
Last edited by crn808; Oct 5, 2004 at 06:28 PM. Reason: spelling
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,249
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From: Rockport, WA
That's basically the bottom line: Solid axle = durability and ease of suspension mods. IFS = good ride, but greater complexity and usually greater fragility.
I know independent suspension can mean great terrain compliance. Look at the M151 -- which is terrible on the highway -- or the HUMMVEE. But the old Broncos managed pretty good off road performance with solid axles, as did the old Jeeps. Much depends on how your suspension is set up.
For off road use, make mine solid -- and if I get rich, it will be the portal axle design of a Unimog.
For mostly on the highway, I'll take the IFS of my wife's Suburban. I've never before had a 3/4 ton 4x4 ride that well.
My "work car" is a 1995 Bronco. My employer buys the gas, tires and maintenance. It works pretty well, though I'm relatively new to being a Ford fan, and not particularly enamored of Ford's Twin I-Beam suspension OR their efforts to make a 4x4 version. All that camber change as the suspension works just doesn't send me. I am willing to admit, though, that it seems to have proven quite durable. Just rotate tires often, keep good shocks on it, and live with a bit of "wander" in the old ones.
Can't be much worse than my old all-coil '69 Chevy half ton, which was more like a car than a truck...
I know independent suspension can mean great terrain compliance. Look at the M151 -- which is terrible on the highway -- or the HUMMVEE. But the old Broncos managed pretty good off road performance with solid axles, as did the old Jeeps. Much depends on how your suspension is set up.
For off road use, make mine solid -- and if I get rich, it will be the portal axle design of a Unimog.
For mostly on the highway, I'll take the IFS of my wife's Suburban. I've never before had a 3/4 ton 4x4 ride that well.
My "work car" is a 1995 Bronco. My employer buys the gas, tires and maintenance. It works pretty well, though I'm relatively new to being a Ford fan, and not particularly enamored of Ford's Twin I-Beam suspension OR their efforts to make a 4x4 version. All that camber change as the suspension works just doesn't send me. I am willing to admit, though, that it seems to have proven quite durable. Just rotate tires often, keep good shocks on it, and live with a bit of "wander" in the old ones.
Can't be much worse than my old all-coil '69 Chevy half ton, which was more like a car than a truck...
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