the IFS'S are supposed to be the weak link in our Tahoes and suburbans right? is it the same for 2500s, or are they better up front. and what years or packages came with a straight front axle? i heard they stopped in 1991? sorry if this is a basic set of questions.
IFS question
- Thread starter 2001Z71
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jd123
TYF Newbie
Yes, the IFS is a very weak point on any truck. The 2500s are going to be stronger but that's because they have bigger and stronger axles. They are still an IFS though and I wouldn't trust it with a very big lift.
brucebruce45
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Tahoes never came with straight axles from the fActory. Some early model burbs did. Ifs isn't that bad just know it's limitations.
purple 'hoe
Full Access Member
1500 and 2500 line trucks have different IFS set ups. The differential is bigger on 2500 trucks. Along with stronger CV Shafts. IFS is not bad. And I don't personally think it's the "weak point" of the GM Trucks. Stock, the IFS is fine. Even in a 2500 line truck, it's holding up great.
Downfalls of IFS is the limits on lockers. 1500 trucks can't use a locker. 2500's are limited. I might be wrong, but I think the Toyota IFS can use a locker.
Mine for an example. I beat the living crap out of mine. Mud, snow, trails. Anything and everything. Holds up fine. I do need to replaced end links, and I can tell sooner or later a CV shaft. But for what I put it threw, it's fine. No leaks, nothing.
Something people tend to forget is, if you wheel or abuse you're rig, it WILL break. Even if you have a Solid Front Axle, you can break things. Something I also have noticed, is that the people who "trash talk" IFS usually have 37's with 3.42 gears. Or have improper set up's, and think that because it's IFS that it's junk. Most it it comes down to HOW you build a truck.
I've done ton's of reseach on SFA swaps. And there are ton's of them floating around. When I was researching, something I noticed was that MOST (not all, most) swaps looked to be hack job's. And most of them, I would not even feel safe driving threw a backyard. I would never even want to put it on the highway at 70mph.
With that being said, I don't see where people think that would hold up better than IFS? If someone can explain that too me, with technical information, then I'll say I'm wrong, and hack job SFA'd trucks are better than factory IFS trucks.
Now of course, there are some great swap's done. Check out Pirate4x4 for some of the swap's. Lot's of great info there too on IFS vs. SFA. Eventually, I'll swap mine. Dana60 and a 14FF. But that will be later on in life.
Downfalls of IFS is the limits on lockers. 1500 trucks can't use a locker. 2500's are limited. I might be wrong, but I think the Toyota IFS can use a locker.
Mine for an example. I beat the living crap out of mine. Mud, snow, trails. Anything and everything. Holds up fine. I do need to replaced end links, and I can tell sooner or later a CV shaft. But for what I put it threw, it's fine. No leaks, nothing.
Something people tend to forget is, if you wheel or abuse you're rig, it WILL break. Even if you have a Solid Front Axle, you can break things. Something I also have noticed, is that the people who "trash talk" IFS usually have 37's with 3.42 gears. Or have improper set up's, and think that because it's IFS that it's junk. Most it it comes down to HOW you build a truck.
I've done ton's of reseach on SFA swaps. And there are ton's of them floating around. When I was researching, something I noticed was that MOST (not all, most) swaps looked to be hack job's. And most of them, I would not even feel safe driving threw a backyard. I would never even want to put it on the highway at 70mph.
With that being said, I don't see where people think that would hold up better than IFS? If someone can explain that too me, with technical information, then I'll say I'm wrong, and hack job SFA'd trucks are better than factory IFS trucks.
Now of course, there are some great swap's done. Check out Pirate4x4 for some of the swap's. Lot's of great info there too on IFS vs. SFA. Eventually, I'll swap mine. Dana60 and a 14FF. But that will be later on in life.
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purple 'hoe
Full Access Member
That swap has been done if I remember correct. Cost wise, the expensive part would be you're locker, rebuild kit and gears (depending if you regear). You could always find the differential used. And CV's are fairly cheap.
purple 'hoe
Full Access Member
Nevermind. It's not a direct swap, and it would be near impossible to swap it in. Always thought it was myself.
Splatmaster527
Full Access Member
Yeah the 2500 IFS swap is pretty much not worth the time... you basically would be best off cutting the frame rails at the firewall and welding on a 2500 front clip haha
PH is right. IFS are not worse than SAS they are just better at different things. SAS is going to better at heavy crawling slow speed and weight at angles. IFS is better at high speed wobbles and jumps. Each can be built to handle both though. Just one is better suited.
As for the hoe your IFS can be made strong just get boxed lower and upper A arms and swap the torsion bars for coil overs.
However if you know your stock limitations and gear properly for the tires and towing, ect ect. You'll be fine. Just remember if you mod your hoe your gonna have to fix your hoe because something will break! If it doesn't then your a wuss and your not playing hard enough!!
As for the hoe your IFS can be made strong just get boxed lower and upper A arms and swap the torsion bars for coil overs.
However if you know your stock limitations and gear properly for the tires and towing, ect ect. You'll be fine. Just remember if you mod your hoe your gonna have to fix your hoe because something will break! If it doesn't then your a wuss and your not playing hard enough!!
