Would You Consider A Solid Front Axle?

Griffin86 · July 30, 2008

I am just wondering if guys went with chevs b/c they have IFS? Also why people choose Ford and Dodge over Chev. I have heard people say they are tougher because its the Solid front axle. IMO i think Chevys are really tough. I have to fix my computer and I am procrastinating haha.

ryan_hermanutz · July 30, 2008

If I were seriously into off-roading Solid Front Axle, that’s the most bullet proof system of the 2. But there is the trade off between on-road and off-road. I spend 99% of the time on road, so the IFS works better at this time. But I do expect to break something when I do go off-road.

Griffin86 · July 30, 2008

I said maybe, it depends on the price. I don't get too carried away about ride quality.

Zembonez · July 30, 2008

IFS rides better, handles better, and has better ground clearance due to the high mounted diff. The only people who benefit from solid axles are those who are into really hardcore rock crawling (stronger components available) and those who want ridiculous Godzilla lifts (which are actually useless anyway) Solid front axles are bigtime old school technology.

Huge lifts are mostly penis extensions anyway...

JoshRDavis.84 · July 31, 2008

The only advantage in my situation for a solid axle would be suspension lifts are usually cheaper and easier on solid axle vehicles. I dont need a solid axle even if I do get a lift it would only be 3 inch and no hardcore wheelin here.

2000DV4.8 · July 31, 2008

I think the HDs should definitely have a SFA. It's kind of stupid that because of the IFS, which can't support the same amount of weight as a solid axle, you can't plow with a Dmax and an extended or crew cab, because you'd be over the GAWR. And I rode in my old boss's '05 F-350 multiple times, and every time I was surprised at how it actually rode better than my truck.

99silverado1500 · July 31, 2008

I think it should be standard issue for solid front axles on all trucks with manual hubs with option to do automatics. Its a truck not a car, and you dont have near the issues with a SFA as you do with IFS.

Griffin86 · July 31, 2008

My father has an 02 Dmax CCLB dually 1 ton and my uncle has a 05 ish Ford F-350 Gas, four doors long box. I drive both and I think the Dmax wins hands down. That ford is all over the road it is ridiculous. Plus you have to climb up it to get in...

bigBP · July 31, 2008

I look at a truck as pretty much a tow / hauling vehicle. I don't do much "offroading" with the truck, that sort of thing is left to the CJ (something actually designed for offroading)! The IFS works fine for me and I wouldn't change it. I could see the solid front axle for plowing though (although I wouldn't plow with a new truck anyway, plus I'd be more worried about the trans if anything).

Just my 2 cents

ZZ327 · July 31, 2008

maybe if I towed and off roaded a lot.

dannyg2006 · July 31, 2008

SFA on HD! Espically on a diesel. My '01 Dodge 1 ton diesel 4x4 has over 250,000 miles and the front axle hasn't been touched! That poor truck has spent most of it's life down dirt roads and in sandy soils to a blackland clay in 4x4 pulling a load (around 17,000 lbs). My '89 3/4 ton had the hubs replaced twice on both sides within 200,000 miles. As for the ride and clearance, then IFM is the way to go (like a 1/2 ton). Just my 2 cents!

d3athsong · July 31, 2008

On a half ton, IFS is heavy duty enough. I enjoy the ride quality of my truck. On an HD, a SFA might be a better choice. My units in for a service at work so I have farther to go so they gave me a 08 dodge 2500 HD quad cab longbox for a couple days. Looking at the sticker on the door, its got a 5 or 6 thousand pound front axle(im not running outside to double check which it is). Its a nice heavy truck that can haul a lot of weight, and it handles well. Too bad I feel every piece of gravel on the road.

On another note, does anyone know why dodge has such a shallow box?

HawkeyeOC · July 31, 2008

On another note, does anyone know why dodge has such a shallow box?

Ford and GM's boxes got deeper! I think this is being corrected in Dodges redesign soon

95Sierra2500 · July 31, 2008

Let me just state that my parents have an old '90 suburban that came with a SFA and automatic hubs. The auto hubs went out twice before dad finally got WARN manual hubs - They have never been serviced since (removed and reinstalled w/wheel bearings, sure, but never serviced/changed) and work flawlessly.

My '95 2500 (9200 GVW) and dad's '94 3500 dually both ride a bit better than that half-ton, but can't go some of the places off-road that that suburban can, even after being around nearly 2 decades.

His new Ford F-450 has a SFA with the plow/camper spring upgrades and auto/manual hubs (you can either lock them yourself, or they're clutched to lock automatically) and it turns tighter and rides better than even my car. He hasn't done any off-roading in it yet (they put all-season tires instead of all-terrains on it, IDK if he'll be able to find all-terrains for 19.5" wheels) but it looks promising since we can both lay on the ground and crawl under it without touching the frame. We can't do that on either of our other trucks.