Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I was having a discussion on the weekend regarding Indipendent Front Suspension in Toyoto Hilux`s for 4x4 driving. I am hearing different opinions about it.
The Hilux`s have IFS from 1997 onwards ( I think ? ) and reports that I have heard is they are shyt -- They dont "travel " ( hook up ) and a lot of people have steared clear of IFS ? ( They like a solid axle )

Whats the story on IFS ? Who owns a 4by with it and do you have any problems ?







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I have a 98 IFS Hilux. They dont have the travel that a solid axle has, they have a smaller diff and if not driven properly can be weak. The CVs are stronger than the solid axle counterparts. They wont last as well as a solid axle in prolonged hard use use, comps etc. However with a front auto locker in them they are more than capable and will suit most peoples needs.

I have a auto locker in mine, I have never broken a diff. I have broken 2 CVs one was incorrect offset rim caused the tyre to bind on the steering arm and break the CV second one was too much right boot with a V8 and 35s on rock. I have had it for 5.5 years and done over 140 000ks in it and it has done everything I have asked of it.

IFS is ok, as stated when a locker is fitted it will go most places. Hilux IFS is pretty good too. 4 Runner is better due to more articulation of the coil sprung rear.

They are just not real good for seriously hard core stuff.

Don't be put off IFS unless you intend to go hardcore.

Cheers

Nothing wrong with IFS unless your a rockcrawler (and then i'm sure some seriously modded stuff could probably work there too)

Wheel travel is not the be all and end all unless you don't run lockers. Lockers take wheel travel out of the equasion.

IFS + Lockers = go anywhere you want and more.

IFS without lockers = you really need to know your car well and drive it like an IFS not like a solid axle car.

I love my IFS and wouldn't go SAS.

IFS Comp trucks are coming....

Catcha
Leeham

leehamescort wrote:Lockers take wheel travel out of the equasion.

Not completely. I've been on some pretty crazy angles in my 4Runner, where a well equipped Patrol went through fairly level.

leehamescort wrote:
IFS + Lockers = go anywhere you want and more.


Catcha
Leeham

Hrmm hows about

Wheel travel + lockers = go anywhere and more???

But yer as said ifs wil do wat most want.. jsut dont expect too much of it

an upper balljoint flip will give you 3" more down travel (switches from the up travel)
apparently doing this doesnt stress the cv's unlike winding the torsen bars up

IMOP for mid low off road with OFS you are fine .. you set of locker and will be fine .. but if you want go over 35" and hard core off road .. of big $$$$ mods for your IFS or SAS

IFS

chikoroll_ wrote:an upper balljoint flip will give you 3" more down travel (switches from the up travel)
apparently doing this doesnt stress the cv's unlike winding the torsen bars up

Please explain this - I think there are a couple of concepts here.

A) Winding up torsion bars increases static height but as such resets the "centre" of the suspension- so instead of having 3" of compression and 3" of droop at the wheel, you have maybe 5" of compression and 1" of droop. This MAY increase wear on the CV's because they are operating a steeper angle for most of their working time, but all up the CV's are still in the factory working range.

B) Anything that significantly increases droop in an IFS beyond factory limits will seriously effect the CV's. It will invite catastrophic failure in a full lock/full droop situation.

Tread very carefully if increasing travel in an IFS front end.

To the original question- Hilux IFS is probably the worst design ever for wheel travel. They are terrible. The key is that with an IFS car, travel and articulation are exactly the same number - in the case of an IFS hilux, about 6". IFS hiluxes are also tall like a SPOA solid axle car, have torsion bars that make tuning spring rate difficult, bend idler arms and twist chassis rails if you abuse them due to the placement of the compression bumpstops.

A stock live axle hilux has about 6" of vertical travel, but far more than this in articulation due to the pivot point of the live axle. when you add that increased travel (and therefore articulation) is very easy to add to a live axle car, but very difficult in an IFS design with rebound rubbers like a hilux, the solid axle will always come out in front.

As for IFS comp cars - sure - one could be built and might work well in an OBC type environment, but the $$$ and engineering involved would be scary.

Steve.

IFS is great..!!







If you like shopping and cups of tea with yer Mum

MUD EMPIRE wrote:IFS is great..!!







If you like shopping and cups of tea with yer Mum

Gwagensteve wrote:
(reply about the IFS)

not sure if it's for all but here's a link for the jackaroo style http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipmen ... nsion.html