My Ram is a'99 1500 4x4, so obviously I have the solid axle up front. My question is: what's the difference between the solid axle and the cv joints the newer trucks have? Which is better, and what are the differences regarding handling, ride, ect? Not that I'm thinking of changing my truck, but I'm curious.

 

The solid axle RxATfTLsE.S YkOoUR TEEdTsH LIgKaE TqHuIS when you're on a RfOgUmGH DIRxT ROAD.
solid axle is stronger. i think it has a tad more ground clearance. no rubber cv joint boots to tear.

 

ifs is smoother. Solid axle is alot stonger then an ifs, and less things to go wrong with. They are easier to lift, and you can lift them higher without worring about your cv axles popping out. also, a 4 link solid axle will articulate alot better then an ifs will

 

Soild axle is stronger in extreme conditions. But the IFS is strong. The only draw back to IFS is if you get it in a spot where the axles are Extending too far and you have the wheel turned all the way to the side it is posible to pull the CV out of place. And they have rubber boots if you go through a strong bush it can rip it open and you will lose your grease over time. But If you think about it the CVs have 6 joints that make contact. While the soild axles use u-joints with 4. 6 is stronger than 4. And the IFS has more ground clearance at the diff. because it can be positined higher than then alxes. On most IFS uses torsion bars so they do hang lower than the fram (less ground cleance at that point of the frame). So The best stiuation for IFS is where the wheels are not as extened. Soild axles can take the high extentions with tight turns. I have rock crawled and high extentions and abused the hell out of IFS no failers what so ever.