Lifts and Handling

[TrojanDan]

Originally Posted by sammy sandbag

Well Dodge and Ford are both serving SFA's in there 3/4-1 tons. GMC still has the IFS on all their trucks. I'm somewhat dissapointed that Dodge went to IFS on it's 1/2 ton 4WDs.

Why wouldn't they? It's still a 1/2 ton truck, a large # of which are not bought b/c people need a truck, but b/c people want a truck. Dodge isn't going to encourage new customers (or old customers that want a smoother ride) to the full-size truck market with a stiff ride, when people can hop into a ferd, chebbie, yota or Titan and get that smoooooooooth ride that only comes w/IFS.

[Sammy Sandbag]

SFA doesn't have to equal a stiff ride. You can choose shocks and spring rates the same way you do with a IFS. Have you rode in a Jeep Grand Cherokee? I would say they ride nice and smooth, and have the added benifit of strong SFA. The problem is that trucks have become more and more car like, and less people are using them for what they are actually intended for. So truck design is following suit, I can't blame them, it's a business. I only wish it was otherwise for my own personal tastes.

[TrojanDan]

Originally Posted by sammy sandbag

SFA doesn't have to equal a stiff ride. You can choose shocks and spring rates the same way you do with a IFS. Have you rode in a Jeep Grand Cherokee? I would say they ride nice and smooth, and have the added benifit of strong SFA. The problem is that trucks have become more and more car like, and less people are using them for what they are actually intended for. So truck design is following suit, I can't blame them, it's a business. I only wish it was otherwise for my own personal tastes.

You're right, SFA doesn't have to equal a stiff ride, but it is much more stiff than IFS. I have been in a JGC, and it is pretty nice, but as you stated, the shocks and springs are quite different. I agree, I wish all trucks were still SFA, and that's why I said before that if Nissan made a 3/4 ton Titan w/SFA, I wouldn't even think twice about the 1/2 ton, IFS model. I like the rougher ride, and it would be a helluva lot stronger offroad. Plus, the lift kits would be a lot cheaper.