SFA v IFS

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 02/28/2020 at 18:43 • Filed to: None

7

11

I wrote a thing that I’ m pretty happy with. I t’ s about the solid axle vs IFS debate.

https://www.autoanything.com/resources/2021-bronco-how-big-a-deal-is-a-solid-front-axle-anyway/

Tried to put my 2 cents on the whole thing . Tell me what you think

p.s. my arm drawings show my skills of an artist...you’re welcome/I’m sorry .

Snuze: Needs another Swede > HammerheadFistpunch 02/28/2020 at 19:08

1

That's a great article, well done!

MM54 > HammerheadFistpunch 02/28/2020 at 19:17

1

The only time I’ve driven something with a solid front axle off-road was a slightly lifted 2-door JK rental in Moab. It’s radically different terrain than around here (NE Ohio) so I can’t really compare it to the IFS in my ‘99 4-runner. I do know that the 4runner is surprisingly good off-road, especially being 100% stock.

HammerheadFistpunch > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/28/2020 at 19:25

0

Thanks! it was a fun one to write.

HammerheadFistpunch > MM54 02/28/2020 at 19:25

1

those 3rd gens were really good stock.  great rear flex, great size.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > HammerheadFistpunch 02/28/2020 at 19:35

2

You did good.

The Bronco vs Wrangler debate is perhaps solvable in the first instance by putting a Ranger up against a Gladiator.

Curiously though , Ford has decided not to bring the Bronco to Australia where the platform was largely developed. Basically, it has decided not to manufacture it in Thailand for the South East Asian market . And I’m quite interested in their thinking on this - is it too big? Is it too small? Is it like the Wrangler, too uselessly specific in its intent? . I suppose it’s the same unanswerable question as why Ford haven’t tried the Everest in the US...

MM54 > HammerheadFistpunch 02/28/2020 at 19:54

1

At some point on the trip pictured the rear flex increased even more, as one of the endlinks decided to be self-disconnecting. The narrowness is excellent.

jminer > HammerheadFistpunch 02/28/2020 at 19:55

1

Excellent article . I’ve never pushed for a solid front axle as I’ve taken front wheel drive cars far further off road than most solid axle jeeps go. For me is’t more about knowing the boundaries and limits of your rig.

Also for the vast majority of it’s existence the Bronco wasn’t solid front axle anyway. I’ve owned several fords from 80-96 and that TTB (while not trouble free) did very well off road.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > HammerheadFistpunch 02/28/2020 at 20:30

1

Well done , I especially liked the section on flex and what a great way to show the concept of different pivoting lengths.

Had you considered bringing up the Bronco’s twin-I- beam front suspension, just for reference, even though it’s not used much?

Also, while portal axles are certainly not an easy or common modification, they’re a great way to add clearance to a SFA setup, without being required to increase tire size.

Again, great write-up.

just-a-scratch > HammerheadFistpunch 02/28/2020 at 20:34

1

Very good article. I like the explanations for advantages and disadvantages.

The transition to talking about the FJ was a bit abrupt, but easy to understand.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > HammerheadFistpunch 02/28/2020 at 20:43

1

The speed thing makes sense, and isn’t something I have heard brought up in the SFA vs. IFS debate much. I guess that makes sense why the Baja buggies and King of Hammers guys often seem to run it. They are in a race, and need the speed.

One thing will be interesting about the near future. With an electric drive train, you can package things in pretty tight. Imagine two electric motors, with a single stage reduction, and right from the second gear, out to the wheel. No more differential, and it may give a bit more room for longer lower control arms. Something like this:

Small black boxes in the middle are the motors.  Light blue is the smaller gear, green is the larger gear.  Other blue boxes are the CV joints.  The closer you can get the CV joints to the middle, the longer the lower control arm.  I _think_ this is how Rivian is doing it, but I haven’t seen anything that really confirms this.

M.T. Blake > HammerheadFistpunch 02/29/2020 at 05:26

0

SAS > IFS

Always... unless you want to have a comfortable ride... then IFS > SAS