Independant rear by 2008

SupadaveGMC · July 12, 2005

according to the latest issue of Mototrend magazine, Gm has been looking at independant rear suspension applications for the GMT-900's. And, though the first model years won't (due to the push-up date) they figure IRS across the board by 2008. What do you guys think, push to the future or step backwards?

They also mentioned that the new great engines that we are waiting for will also be showing up around then (three valve head's. baby duramax's)

cmadz71 · July 12, 2005

I could see them doing this on the 1/2 ton trucks and SUVs but I do not think you could get the load carrying capacity out of IFS for the 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks without going to extreme and jacking the price too much.

MrQuadrasteer · July 12, 2005

My thoughts exactly. It'd have to be real stout. And prolly expensive.

Plus, kinda doubt the hard-core TRUCK USERS would go for IRS.... I know the off-roaders wouldn't want anything to do with it

Silverado4x4 · July 12, 2005

If they do I dont thing you will see it in the 3/4 or 1 tons, there probuley just doing it for the truck wimps that complain about the ride,independent rear would give you a better ride but who cares,I dont, bring back the solid front axle.I bought my truck to use it as a truck and could care a less about ride quality after all its a truck.I cant stand to read about people complaining about the ride in there truck,it rides to bumpy or to hard awwwwww big deal and dont be a wuss I tell um.

MrQuadrasteer · July 13, 2005

Yeah, you're probably right, it will be catered to the crowd that buys trucks cuz they sit up high or cuz they're big or some weird kind of status, then complain about the ride or mileage or parking, blah blah...

That's kinda along what I said- I doubt the REAL truck users would be too interested.

Althoughhhhhhh... imagine if they did somehow manage to make an indy rearend every bit as strong as a modern 1ton rearend, with equal articulation and load capability.... we might be eating this thread !!!!!!!!

99-2door · July 13, 2005

Look for it in SUVs and maybe some up level 1/2 tons. Too expensive to be used across the board.

People that just want the cheapest 1/2 ton 2wd v6 truck are not gonna pay a premium for IRS, and GM's bean counters know that.

BRZ71 · July 13, 2005

Look for it in SUVs and maybe some up level 1/2 tons. Too expensive to be used across the board.
People that just want the cheapest 1/2 ton 2wd v6 truck are not gonna pay a premium for IRS, and GM's bean counters know that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are right, but personally I woudln't depend on GM's bean counters. They don't seem to know where the beans are anymore.

Chevy Tough · July 13, 2005

Motortrend seems to never be accurate at what they predict for the newer models coming out. I hope this is just a typo or something.

Wingnut · July 13, 2005

My thoughts exactly. It'd have to be real stout. And prolly expensive.

Plus, kinda doubt the hard-core TRUCK USERS would go for IRS.... I know the off-roaders wouldn't want anything to do with it

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That would depend a TON on what type of off-roaders they are.

Hummers -the real ones- are IFS and IRS, and are so capable off-road it isn't even funny. I drove those things through deeper and nastier crap than I would dream of taking any truck on this website through, and at much higher speeds.

Personally, I would love IRS on a truck. If done right, I think it would sell quite well. It would be nice to not have the back of my truck do the hokey-pokey on washboard roads or while going over railroad tracks. Every pickup and SUV I've ever owned does this to some degree (and I've owned a few). But it's funny that vehicles with 4 wheel independant suspension don't suffer from it to the same degree.

As far as dependability goes...I sure hear a lot of the HD guys (and a great many others) complaining about not having a solid front axle...But funny how there don't seem to be IFS parts flying off the shelves. It's a good, dependable system, and greatly improves the handling of the vehicle. People just gripe because it's "new" and they don't know how to work on it because it more complex.

To each his own though. The independant suspension vs. solid axle discussion can't be won. I'm all about progress. Get the neat new things in there...The faster we progress...The sooner we'll get our flying cars that they've been promising since 1946...Rendering this discussion moot.

MrQuadrasteer · July 13, 2005

'Nut, I put 20,000+ miles on my Hummer when I was in the Army. Never got stuck, went thru hood-deep Louisiana muck, all sorts of stuff. Awesome vehicle.

The H1 is the exception to the rule. But consider, the thing weighs like 10,000lbs !!!! It's got the stout stuff. Mil-spec ain't always so bad !!!!

And yes, I know about the Land Rovers and such, but when have you ever seen a IFS vehicle seriously lifted ?!!? And these IFS drop kits sure don't count

mudbug660 · July 13, 2005

The H1 is a great vehicle but when was the last time anyone saw the price tag on one of those. A portaled independent suspension gives great offroad capabilities but it takes money.

MrQuadrasteer · July 13, 2005

H1s are portaled ???

mudbug660 · July 13, 2005

I can't find a picture of the portal design but that's how they get sooo much ground clearance out of the suspension. The axle goes into the portal box located on the end of the a-arms which is very similar to the unimog's axles and I'm pretty sure there is a gear reduction in it also. I remember reading something about the H1's in Petersen's 4-wheel and off road magazine a while back. It's a great way to save the axle from breakage and to gain a good bit of ground clearance.

Wingnut · July 13, 2005

H1s are portaled ???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yup, and the diffs are raised up as well. That's why you have a 10' long by 2' wide center console that won't open. Gives mondo ground clearance though. Of course, it's also why you can only fit 4 people in an H1 unless you have the wagon.