From solid axle to independent suspension
#1
#6
Like the others have said, goin back to ifs from SFA is taking steps backwards on a ranger. But, it is possible. Just a lot of fab work (or un-doing someone else's fab work)
#7
If it were a solid axle, you'd be foolish to swap back to IFS.
#9
Quite honestly, I don't get why people think solid axle rides better than independent suspension. There are advantages to solid axle but IMO ride is not one of them. When independent suspension is done right it can outperform a solid axle in most ways (again, my opinion). I am old school, solid axles are old school but I still like independent suspension.
I do agree the OP probably does not have a front solid axle unless someone converted it. If it does have a front solid axle then again I agree, it is not worth converting back to independent suspension.
I do agree the OP probably does not have a front solid axle unless someone converted it. If it does have a front solid axle then again I agree, it is not worth converting back to independent suspension.
#10
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Quite honestly, I don't get why people think solid axle rides better than independent suspension. There are advantages to solid axle but IMO ride is not one of them. When independent suspension is done right it can outperform a solid axle in most ways (again, my opinion).
#11
Quite honestly, I don't get why people think solid axle rides better than independent suspension. There are advantages to solid axle but IMO ride is not one of them. When independent suspension is done right it can outperform a solid axle in most ways (again, my opinion). I am old school, solid axles are old school but I still like independent suspension.
I do agree the OP probably does not have a front solid axle unless someone converted it. If it does have a front solid axle then again I agree, it is not worth converting back to independent suspension.
I do agree the OP probably does not have a front solid axle unless someone converted it. If it does have a front solid axle then again I agree, it is not worth converting back to independent suspension.
#12
When I referred to independent suspension being set up right, I was thinking long travel. I originally started going off-road in 77 with a FJ-55 Landcruiser with a solid front axle. In 89 I bought a new 89 STX Ranger with SAS independent front suspension. Overall, I actually preferred STX over the Landcruiser off-road. In 02 I bought my current FX4 Ranger with the A-arm independent suspension and Tbars. I will admit, I liked the SAS suspension a little better off-road but the A-arm suspension holds the front end alignment better.
I am very happy with the FX4 suspension and have logged many off-road miles on it and a lot of it in some pretty rough stuff as my skid plates can confirm. I just don't understand all the negativity on the IFS suspension. Yes, a solid axle can handle extreme rack crawling very well if set up right but so can long travel independent suspension if set up right. I don't do extreme rock crawling anyway. Mild to light rock crawling is all I need to go on the extended off-road trips that I take. The IFS suspension has served me very well.
I am very happy with the FX4 suspension and have logged many off-road miles on it and a lot of it in some pretty rough stuff as my skid plates can confirm. I just don't understand all the negativity on the IFS suspension. Yes, a solid axle can handle extreme rack crawling very well if set up right but so can long travel independent suspension if set up right. I don't do extreme rock crawling anyway. Mild to light rock crawling is all I need to go on the extended off-road trips that I take. The IFS suspension has served me very well.
#13
#14
solid front axles rated with the proper coil spring rate as well as a properly valved shock absorber will in fact ride more smoothly than a IFS equipped truck. been there
solid front axles are in fact cheaper over the long run to maintain and repair
not to mention dialing in a front end alignment is far more easier with radius arms and a solid front axle
solid front axles are in fact cheaper over the long run to maintain and repair
not to mention dialing in a front end alignment is far more easier with radius arms and a solid front axle
#15
#16
king coil overs will ride very smooth , if you weld on brackets to the inner upper C`s
most people weld on the brackets to the axle tubes , welding ( heat ) is what weakens the axle tubes , thus the tube bends from heavy engine weight and suspension cycling
welding on coil over mounting brackets to the inner upper C`s removes the stress away from the axle tube and onto the part which actually supports the vehicle weight
most people weld on the brackets to the axle tubes , welding ( heat ) is what weakens the axle tubes , thus the tube bends from heavy engine weight and suspension cycling
welding on coil over mounting brackets to the inner upper C`s removes the stress away from the axle tube and onto the part which actually supports the vehicle weight
Last edited by cheese_man; 08-14-2016 at 06:41 AM.
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