Well you're in luck! All you need to do to get an IFS is get 2wd :)

Apparently it's already in testing :D

http://typophile.com/files/square-wheels_6612.jpg

So because yours hasn't had any issues you flatly declare them all bulletproof?

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.

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.

Same as I heard, or researched. I'm at a business school now and did a project on the Chevy Volt. Lots of info came of the research including new goverment fuel regs in the form of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Basically, every manufacturers fleet must meet a minimum fuel economy each year, and this number grows significantly each year. 1 or 2 hybrids in each fleet will no longer be enough to meet the CAFE in a few years. Hence the aluminum body F150 and who knows what mods to super duty trucks in the future. I don't think beefier axles that can increase GVWR and GCWR are top priority on Ford's future planning:'(.

Sorry, but that might be the one thing that would put me in a Dodge. Just some reasons why IFS sucks:

-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.

Just for reference, the only time IFS tends to be a better choice off road is for high speed stuff. Rock crawlers tend to be much better off with a proper solid axle. Even the six-figure, ground-up custom rigs driven by the pros use solid axles. For everything but Baja races and such, a solid axle tends to be preferred.

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.

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.

Not like a GM. Like the '73-'79 wheel wells. The rounded ones have been around since '87.

It'd be nice to get an IFS for the 4x2s. Twin I's are fine until the springs wear down. Then they just eat tires.

Like this?

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...137805.520.390

I'll take a couple copies of that Sir;)

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.

Exactly!!!

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.