front independant suspension.
08-06-2008, 12:34 AM
#11
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
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My $0.02 worth on the matter
1. IFS and solid axle vehicles can both be lifted the same amount, it is just alot more expensive to lift an IFS vehicle.
2. To get lots of articulation on an IFS, again, it costs more than on a solid axle.
3. While IFS offers a better ride on the road, i.e. more aggressive turning, smoother ride, etc., for a serious off roader, on road ride quality is not a major factor in choosing a vehicle.
4. It is easier to predict/plan exactly where your tires are going to be while picking a line with a solid axle because there are less angles to think about - the wheels are always the same distance apart.
5. Less moving parts on a solid axle means less things to break and easier to fix when it does break.
6. The HMMMV, and H1 are capable trucks with 4 wheel independent suspension. Their setup is more robust, and more complicated than most setups and are not a good example because their ride height and tire size are already greater than most "normal vehicles." They were also designed as a weapons platform, not an off road truck, and the suspension decision is part of the weapons plaform design more than as an off road capability aspect. While they are very capapble, they would not be my choice for off roading because they have more limitations than a Jeep or the Rovers I have owned in the past.
1. IFS and solid axle vehicles can both be lifted the same amount, it is just alot more expensive to lift an IFS vehicle.
2. To get lots of articulation on an IFS, again, it costs more than on a solid axle.
3. While IFS offers a better ride on the road, i.e. more aggressive turning, smoother ride, etc., for a serious off roader, on road ride quality is not a major factor in choosing a vehicle.
4. It is easier to predict/plan exactly where your tires are going to be while picking a line with a solid axle because there are less angles to think about - the wheels are always the same distance apart.
5. Less moving parts on a solid axle means less things to break and easier to fix when it does break.
6. The HMMMV, and H1 are capable trucks with 4 wheel independent suspension. Their setup is more robust, and more complicated than most setups and are not a good example because their ride height and tire size are already greater than most "normal vehicles." They were also designed as a weapons platform, not an off road truck, and the suspension decision is part of the weapons plaform design more than as an off road capability aspect. While they are very capapble, they would not be my choice for off roading because they have more limitations than a Jeep or the Rovers I have owned in the past.
08-06-2008, 10:51 AM
#12
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Because they are weak...I just got back from a trip with a buddy of mine who took his Silverado on the easy parts of a moderate trail with me (by him insisting IFS could handle it) well we thought it did until yesterday. Turns out that little 4.5mi trip cost him +$800...and that with him doing all the work himself!!!! Most everything bent in the steering system. 
Why do people bad mouth IFS? Simple. It is not nearly as good Off Road (of course this is excluding LT applications). Flex is severely limited and it is much more of a pain to do a lift on one. It's so popular because 90% of people who buy Trucks/SUVs or 4x4's care more about having a better ride than they do Off Road ability because most people just don't wheel.
08-06-2008, 12:27 PM
#15
JK Junkie
Let me spell it out for you A.R.T.I.C.U.L.A.T.I.O.N.
Less of it = wheels off the ground and therefore less TRACTION.
More of it = Wheels on the ground and therefore MORE TRACTION.
Less of it = wheels off the ground and therefore less TRACTION.
More of it = Wheels on the ground and therefore MORE TRACTION.
