I've heard you guys talk about how you didn't like the axle setup in the 3rd generation Rams opposed to the 2nd generation rams. Can somebody explain to me what kind of axles are in the 2nd generations, and what kind are in the 3rd generation rams. And what the differences are. I never understood the whole solid axle argument. Thanks guys.

 

3rd gens have independent torsion bar suspensions

 

and we have soild, true axles. or at least 4x4 guys do. much tougher IMO.

 

an interesting comparison between solid vs IFS. a friend of mine has a cabin that's down about 5 miles of dirt road. the last 2 miles are the roughest sob in the world and i have to drive about 5 mph max and ease through all the really rocky spots. one day i drove his '00 (or so) ford 150 with IFS. i drove 10-15-20 mph and it felt just as smooth as silk. my truck beats the $hit out of you.

 

thats because real trucks have soild axles!

 

Yes, Independent Front Suspension (IFS) has a much nicer (car like) ride when compared to a linked or leaf sprung solid axle setup. That is the reason MFGs have gone to IFS in their light duty pickups. However, the strength of an IFS is inferior to even the half ton solid axle designs (Dana 44 or equivilent).

Regarding the 3rd gen rams, for most of their run theu have used a torsion bar IFS setup (which I'm not a fan of). Recently they changed to a coilover design. Regardless, each does ride nice, but there have been instances of the torsion bars breaking from abuse and the CV shafts not holding up to off road conditions. In fact my buddies 03 lasted a whole 30 min following me off road before popping a shaft(and we have similar setups, just mine is a 2nd gen his is a 3rd).

However, for most people, IFS is a superior setup as they will never lift their vehicles, or take them into even moderately difficulty off road situations. Its a balancing act, strength and durability vs comfort. In the 1/2 tons, comfort is more important to the consumer, while in the 3/4 and bigger, strength and durability are more important (which is why you still see solid axles in the heavier duty pickups).

Hope this explains a little, if you're looking for diagrams of what an IFS is vs a solid axle I'd try google.

 

No that was perfect, thank you for the explanation. I just never understood when people would tell me I have a solid axle, I'd like be like coool. Thanks again.

 

With that said, a properly designed IFS can hold up just fine to extreme conditions. Case in point, the Military HUMVEE. It runs independent front and rear.

 

IFS rides nicer but a SFA can hold up to more abuse basically as stated earlier. However, these SFA's on these trucks aren't the strongest out there. They seem to do fine up to a 35" tire or maybe slightly bigger if it's not off roaded at all. Any bigger and you really need to change to a bigger axle like the D60's.