Solid Vs Indy Front Ends?

[jro909]

what are the pros and cons of each between the solid front axles and the indy front ends? i know gm is the only 2500-3500 truc builder to run the indy front ends and i hear alot of heat on how the solid front ends is alot better, i was just curious

[Wingnut]

It boils down to this for me. IFS is better handling and better riding. Solid is tougher.

 

HOWEVER.

 

GM doesn't have a large problem with their IFS failing under heavy loads to my knowledge (I'd assume it would be all over the board here if it were a problem)...That makes it a no-brainer to me.

 

Solid axles are probably a lot easier to do a lift on, that's fo-sho.

 

But I'm talking out my ass here...I don't have a heavy duty truck, and probably never will unless I buy it just for looks..Those F-250's are freaking SWEET looking...On the outside. If they made an interior that I liked, I would have a hard time NOT buying one.

[Diesail]

Oh boy, here we go

[Shatterz]

I think one of the main issues right now with the GM IFS front end is the front GAWR (gross axle weight rating), it is not up to par with ford and dodge (this is all going to change with the 2011 hd). Right not the max GAWR you can get is 4800 GAWR, as opposed to ford and dodge which both come in at around 5500. So this translates into more weight carrying capacity on the front axle for equipment (mainly plows). I think the snowplow issue gets to the heart of the problem, lot of people I know just don't want to deal with it, or have to mess with cranking torsion bars up for the winter when plowing then down again in the spring when they take off the setup. Also with the GM trucks not all engine/cab combos can even except a plow (I don't believe ANY duramax truck comes with the snow plow prep package VYU) because with a plow it will exceed that front GAWR.

 

When looking at overall strength and durability, there is no denying that a solid front axle design takes the prize, IFS will NEVER win the strength durability contest. Although the GM IFS is a well engineered system too much throttle, rough terrain and sharp steering angles will quickly show you it's limitations. I guess you can say that the IFS will take car of you as long as you take care of it.

 

Pros/Cons:

 

IFS will deliver a better ride/steering feel all day long. I test drove both ford/dodge along with gm 3/4 trucks before I got my 2500HD. There is no denying that the GM heavy duty trucks steer, ride, and track down the road the best.

 

You could also make the argument that IFS gives you better front ground clearance (although this could be negated by the lower ride height as is the case with the GM trucks).

 

And probably as it stands right now the biggest drawback for IFS is "not up to par" weight carrying capacity, and extra procedures you need to do for a plow setup.

 

 

But for 2011 GM is finally getting their head in the game and offering HD trucks with a 6,000 lbs. front GAWR, which should exceed both ford and dodge, and EVERY model engine,cab combo will the available with the plow prep package, we'll see if these improvements are a game changer.

[jro909]

i know alot of guys with the Hds and zero complaints, i see alot of duramax trucks with plows around here too...

[Shatterz]

i know alot of guys with the Hds and zero complaints, i see alot of duramax trucks with plows around here too...

 

You can certainly put a plow on a duramax truck, but without the VYU package if you roll into the dealer with a plow setup on the truck say bye bye to the warranty.

 

I'm not saying the IFS is a bad setup (I wouldn't have bought my HD if I thought so), but it's all about how well you treat the truck and don't abuse it, the guys that have zero complaints are the ones that know the limitations.

 

A lot of people thought the new 2011 HD trucks were going to switch to a solid axle and without a doubt many are disappointed.

[ryan_hermanutz]

A solid axle is stronger just by principle, but if you watch these videos, you can see that the IFS isn't exactly weak.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=109343

[jro909]

those are wild videos...i think its funny people flamed chevy for a spring breaking lol

[Prokopchuk_9]

man, ill tell you from expierence...solid front end is waaaaay tougher than the indy front. we are all off-road enthusiasts up here, when guys go out wheeling with an IFS lifted truck they break waaaaaaay more than a good ol' dana 60. plus with the dana's you can get way more options with gears and lockers and such. way easier to work on too. just think about it...how many moving parts/linkages/things to break are on the IFS front ends compared to the dana's. plus most IFS chevies...for like 20 years anyways have torsion bars, most lifts dont have the spindle swap to keep your torsions up high so you get a chevy with a 8 inch lift and the torsion bars are hangin down like a limp dink...BUT IFS is the bread and butter for a daily driver by far....way nicer to drive. and yes the other guys are spot on about the plow thing too....say bye bye to warranty if you pull into a dealer with one on..

[jro909]

it would be nice for gm to offer a solid front axle as an option..like ford does...does the kodiak and topkick use solid axles?

[Prokopchuk_9]

it would be nice for gm to offer a solid front axle as an option..like ford does...does the kodiak and topkick use solid axles?

 

yes, dana 70 i think...or rockwells

[Dooner]

it would be nice for gm to offer a solid front axle as an option..like ford does...does the kodiak and topkick use solid axles?

 

 

x2, I only hope GM goes back to a solid front end...

[fcknmaw]

My truck will be getting a SAS in the future. But, not for a couple of years. Kids are too young, and I have no time. I really enjoy the ride of the IFS, and its serves my needs very well, but I LOVE solid axles.