Another Ford vs Dodge question.....
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
For work trucks I like to run with the older stuff, more reliable
This thread isn't the place to be questioning this, but do you really think that?
Easier to work on, YES.
More reliable, IMO, NO.
I will start up a thread in the GA forum...
Reliability thread
As for the SFA, IFS debate, I did not read the thread you were referring to (the title, Why I think Ford smokes chevy put me off - far to close to baiting for my liking).
We don't need to go through the debate here, but unless you are running a really good coil spring double wishbone with inboard dampers (both almost impossible on a truck) it is very hard for a IFS to compete in the purely off-road situation.
This thread isn't the place to be questioning this, but do you really think that?
Easier to work on, YES.
More reliable, IMO, NO.
I will start up a thread in the GA forum...
Reliability thread
As for the SFA, IFS debate, I did not read the thread you were referring to (the title, Why I think Ford smokes chevy put me off - far to close to baiting for my liking).
We don't need to go through the debate here, but unless you are running a really good coil spring double wishbone with inboard dampers (both almost impossible on a truck) it is very hard for a IFS to compete in the purely off-road situation.
Last edited by BigF350; Apr 5, 2005 at 10:59 PM.
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i think that both of you are right. If you want an offroad play truck, get a ford or a dodge with a cheap lift kit. If you want a work truck, get a GM and something worthy to pull a trailer arround the curves and a nice plush ride. 
Posting Guru
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From: pound
I agree with 150Ford...Seeing as the SD is the most capable of the trucks, I'd say go with it for a work truck...
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From: On top of a big hill...
Originally Posted by BigF350
Couple of things there.
1. The GM may have higher ground clearance from the lowest point on the vehicle, but think about that for a second.
The lowest point on a SD is the Pumpkins.
Which don't matter, as they follow the wheels, as the wheels go up, so do the pumpkins.
1. The GM may have higher ground clearance from the lowest point on the vehicle, but think about that for a second.
The lowest point on a SD is the Pumpkins.
Which don't matter, as they follow the wheels, as the wheels go up, so do the pumpkins.
I'm so glad to hear you say this. I've tried to get that simple point across to some GM fans and they either can't grasp it or just won't acknowledge it.
The axle/differential is carried up and over most obstacles with the wheels and tires so if you're driving up over a creek bank or ridge you don't worry so much about the axles and diffs hanging up-it's the frame and chassis that gets hung up.
And the fame/chassis clearance on a Superduty puts the GM series to shame. Measure the lowest hanging point between the front & rear axles on a Superduty and compare it to the Silverado 2500HD. The Superduty is several inches higher than the GM.
The lowest thing on my truck bewteen the axles is the transfer case crossmember and it's about 16" off the ground. The same part is also the lowest on a 4x4 2500HD and it's only about 10.5" high. Quite a significant difference.
Sadly, the superior front axle clearance on the GM IFS setup doesn't even matter beacause the rear pumpkin hangs down nearly as low as any other pickup.
Sorry to veer off topic but I just wanted to mention this because it's one big area where Ford's Superduties have a huge advantage over GM's lineup and a smaller one over Dodge's offerings.
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I'm sorry but there's no way I have only 10 inches of clearance under my truck, I can crawl around freely anywhere under my truck except under the rear axle of course, and without any fancy manuvering either. Theres no way I could do that with 10 inches of clearance unless i was 5 ft tall and weighed 100 lbs.
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i too agree with that. also the a-arms may be conected low on the actual hub, but you rarely ever get high centered out by the tire. the easiest place to get high center is the front diff. personally the way gm's front suspension holds up i hope they come out with IRS with adjustable load carrying capacity. that would be great.
if there were not great off-roading advantages to IS then the hummer surely wouldn't have it, because of all of the added expense.
ford guys are in denial, that is my own personal opinion.
once you lift a ford so high they have universal joint problems just like anything, it is just a matter of where you want them.
if there were not great off-roading advantages to IS then the hummer surely wouldn't have it, because of all of the added expense.
ford guys are in denial, that is my own personal opinion.
once you lift a ford so high they have universal joint problems just like anything, it is just a matter of where you want them.
Posting Guru
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From: pound
If you lift an IFS too high, you have CV joint problems...
I think both have their advatages and disadvantages, the SFA is a much simpler cheaper setup that has proven itself durable...Replacing IFS parts on a Hummer is going to cost a lot more than replacing U-joints...
I think both have their advatages and disadvantages, the SFA is a much simpler cheaper setup that has proven itself durable...Replacing IFS parts on a Hummer is going to cost a lot more than replacing U-joints...
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
96farmer "P.S.- Why do GM and dodge guys join FTE( Ford Truck Enthusiasts)? Don't they have their own forum? Just wondering."
Excellent question. The obvious answer, if you take a walk through most neighborhoods, is that there are multiple makes parked in driveways. In my own driveway, Ford and GM are about equally represented (what a surprise).
This isn't just true in the private market. At my sons work, they're running Ford SD's, Dodge's, GMC's, Internationals, and some new Freightliner FL60's. The owner is a Ford truck enthusiast (he has a restored '36 Ford ton and a half), but he buys whatever makes sense for the given purpose.
Excellent question. The obvious answer, if you take a walk through most neighborhoods, is that there are multiple makes parked in driveways. In my own driveway, Ford and GM are about equally represented (what a surprise).
This isn't just true in the private market. At my sons work, they're running Ford SD's, Dodge's, GMC's, Internationals, and some new Freightliner FL60's. The owner is a Ford truck enthusiast (he has a restored '36 Ford ton and a half), but he buys whatever makes sense for the given purpose.