Jdpathy Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 I don't know if this has been asked before, but I have seen several pathy's outfitted with a solid axle and I was wondering what was better. IFS vs. Solid axle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pathfinder Phil Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 I don't know if this has been asked before, but I have seen several pathy's outfitted with a solid axle and I was wondering what was better. IFS vs. Solid axle? Which is better, Ford or Chevy, McDonalds or Burger King? It's somewhat personal preference, and somewhat what you're gonna use it for. IFS is better for bumpy roads. SFA is better for articulation(Usually). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLApathy Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Its up too you, IFS has superior on road and solid is better off road. Ill be going to solid soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 This is just one of those questions where most everyone will have an opinion, but really it boils down to you... what you like, what you will use it for, and what you want it to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 (edited) yep, whats your intended purposes? solid axle = good off road & strong - less breakages off road i.f.s. = good on road handling - much weaker off road another thing to take into account is i.f.s. has more moving parts. so GENERALLY speaking if you break stuff, theres gonna be more stuff to replace. GO THE SOLID AXLES!! Edited October 30, 2006 by sw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 The ground clearance of a SA never changes either, but it constantly changes with IFS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLApathy Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 The ground clearance of a SA never changes either, but it constantly changes with IFS It does when you put bigger tires on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Ya Think! I was talking about on the trail -thnkboutit- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLApathy Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 (edited) Ya Think! I was talking about on the trail -thnkboutit- I know. wd21's dont have IRS. Edited October 30, 2006 by FLApathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 wd21's dont have IRS. Where did that come from? :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLApathy Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Where did that come from? :confused: Even though you may clear a rock with IFS, you still are going to hit it with the rear axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Even though you may clear a rock with IFS, you still are going to hit it with the rear axle. I see... but IMO IFS often makes you less likely to clear a rock than a SA, because IFS ground clearences drop when one wheel goes up (SA still stays the same)... but that is just me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Pathfindero Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 again....depends on what you're doing with your pathy.....I'm stickin it out with IFS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csutke Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 i personally dont like IFS and the reason is because all the soccer mom mobiles and such are going to IFS and IRS and the only reason for that is beacuse of ride. Manafatures know that IFS/IRS is weaker and wont last as long but they dont care. they want to get a car like ride out of a 2 ton SUV or truck as well as add the wad of cash in their pockets by selling replacement parts. SA in my opinion is the only way to have a "true" off road vehicle but thats just me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Well I have to disagree a bit there... IS is a LOT stronger now than it used to be... as strong as a SA, no, but stronger none the less. IFS does accel in some area's of off road, as does SA over IS. Notice that Baja racers are IS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89_trailboss Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 all personal preference. and IMO, It ALL depends on the setup/build. IS can be just as good as SO and vise versa. its up to YOU to deside what you want/need. join a local 4wheeling club. go out wheeling with them and see what you like. there will be guys with SA and you will see how thos preform. I too will be going solid within the next year. hopfully next summer. IFS jsut breaks to much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey.T Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 Fight, Fight.......... IMO if you want a Solid Front Axel... buy a rig that already has one..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 Better yet.. buy one of each (note my sig) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mws Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 (edited) IFS offers far superior (and safer) handling and control. It also provides greater ground clearance 99% of the time. IMHO, the only real advantages SA offers are how easy and relatively inexpensive they are to implement radical lifts, and how difficult it is to screw up the geometries. Hence, they are relatively bubba proof and the only real option for the knuckle dragging element of our sport. Some claim they offer some benefits in extreme rock crawling, but I am far from convinced. I remain confident that it is just a matter of someone technically skilled enough (and financially supported enough!) doing it to prove IFS can kick butt there as well. One only needs to look at the technogical paths of baja racing and stadium racing to see the advantages IS offers. I've said it before and I'll say it again: 20 years from now, SA's will be categorized with tiller steering, non-pneumatic tires on wooden wheels, vacuum windshield wipers, drum brakes, 6 volt DC generators, points ignition systems, and carburetors. A technology whose time came and went a looooong time ago. And good riddance! Edited October 31, 2006 by mws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmgar99 Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 (edited) Like everyone says.....Your Descision.....I'm sticking with IFS, because of what i do with my Pathy (80 miles of commute a day and desert running on the wekends) If i lived anywhere else but SoCal, i'd probably consider a SAS. Solid Axles don't do well in the desert....Take a look at any SCORE or CORR truck...99.99% IFS. But when you look at trail or rock crawlers they're almost all Solid Axles....but even IFS is increasing in popularity with rock crawlers. Just my 2 bucks..... Edited October 31, 2006 by kmgar99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLApathy Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 IFS flex (sorry for the big pic) SA flex (I cant find his front pics right now) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mws Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 (edited) Yup, that proves it. A fully custom, high dollar SA designed for max articulation will flex more than a bone stock IFS not designed for max articulation. Next, which is more manueverable? An F-16 or a 747? Edited October 31, 2006 by mws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonianbrat Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 (edited) I've said it before and I'll say it again: 20 years from now, SA's will be categorized with tiller steering, non-pneumatic tires on wooden wheels, vacuum windshield wipers, drum brakes, 6 volt DC generators, points ignition systems, and carburetors. A technology whose time came and went a looooong time ago. And good riddance! what a load of garbage! horses for corses i would like to see a bunch of 'fully sick' independant suspension truck with big lifts and 35" or bigger tyres do a few of the tracks down here in oz. then see the damage report at the end. Edited October 31, 2006 by sw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 I don't follow UROC and stuff close enough to tell you how well they compete, but there are a few pro buggies with IFS and IRS around that look competitive. Here's one on Ebay I still think SA is best for crawling around on the rocks, but IFS is better for most everything speedy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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