looking to build my front end was thinking of going for a solid axle conversion but now im thinking it would be cheaper to just build up the front end IFS even though I hate working on ifs I don't have 18grand to convert so shoot me some thoughts on ifs or stick with my sas conversion and have a fab shop do it up ??!!
Ifs tips?
- Thread starter totalanarchy
- Start date
Ifs is superior to solid axle trucks in many way. Sounds like you bought the wrong truck
I can't stand people who think ifs is weak or second to a solid axle truck. Buy a dodge or a ford and be done with it. Sas conversions are cool but not worth the $$$ when ifs built properly is superior to sas trucks
Hd tie rods cognito braces and straight link it's damn near bullet proof
I can't stand people who think ifs is weak or second to a solid axle truck. Buy a dodge or a ford and be done with it. Sas conversions are cool but not worth the $$$ when ifs built properly is superior to sas trucks
Hd tie rods cognito braces and straight link it's damn near bullet proof
You and I...were not so different.
I've said this almost word for word to countless people.
It all boils down to the 80/20 rule. What are you doing with your truck 80% of the time? If its a road rig then stay with what you got and do some mods. If your like me, and it sounds like you kinda are since your already leaning toward SAS, I like the SAS swap idea. There are lots of manufacturers that offer a quality 4-link kit with coil over. I think that is the way I'm gonna go when I decide to really "use" my truck.
I know the shit is gonna hit the fan now with you IFS guys. Been here, done that. We can go round and round on this but opinions are like assholes. And that's just mine. But like I said 80/20 rule. I like the IFS ride too.
Here's a couple shots of a guys truck I was talking with the other day. He just bought it and says it rides great and he's putting 38"s on it. He's gonna get me more pics of the 4-link setup as I told him I was interested in doing the same.
Here's what he said about this truck:
I picked up an 06 LBZ Duramax with an Allison. It also has a 4 linked AAM 9.25 front under 4.5" coils. The transfer case was swapped out for a NV 273. The rear still has the 11.5 with a shackle flip with blocks, which will eventually be swapped out with 3-4" springs. It also has firestone airbags out back with fox rezzy's.
It has an AFE intake with the EGR blocked and a shimmed fuel rail. Also has a PPE tuner and Air Dog 2 165. The Allison has a Transgo Jr shift kit.
The exhaust is a 4" straight pipe that dumps under the bed and it also has a 60 gal fuel cell/tool box that can drain into the main tank.
Right now I'm getting about 16.5 in the city and have seen up to 21.5 on the highway. It needs bigger tires bad, which will most likely be a 38x15.50. I'm thinking MTZ, but we'll see what happens.
It needs some small cosmetic things, but overall I'm happier than a pig in mud.
I know the shit is gonna hit the fan now with you IFS guys. Been here, done that. We can go round and round on this but opinions are like assholes. And that's just mine. But like I said 80/20 rule. I like the IFS ride too.
Here's a couple shots of a guys truck I was talking with the other day. He just bought it and says it rides great and he's putting 38"s on it. He's gonna get me more pics of the 4-link setup as I told him I was interested in doing the same.
Here's what he said about this truck:
I picked up an 06 LBZ Duramax with an Allison. It also has a 4 linked AAM 9.25 front under 4.5" coils. The transfer case was swapped out for a NV 273. The rear still has the 11.5 with a shackle flip with blocks, which will eventually be swapped out with 3-4" springs. It also has firestone airbags out back with fox rezzy's.
It has an AFE intake with the EGR blocked and a shimmed fuel rail. Also has a PPE tuner and Air Dog 2 165. The Allison has a Transgo Jr shift kit.
The exhaust is a 4" straight pipe that dumps under the bed and it also has a 60 gal fuel cell/tool box that can drain into the main tank.
Right now I'm getting about 16.5 in the city and have seen up to 21.5 on the highway. It needs bigger tires bad, which will most likely be a 38x15.50. I'm thinking MTZ, but we'll see what happens.
It needs some small cosmetic things, but overall I'm happier than a pig in mud.
I just built up my ifs and haven't had any issues in the last year. PPE straight centerlink, kryponite tie rods, no braces. I know it's not ideal to do, but I've done 4x4 boosted launches with the t-bars cranked and everything is holding up great.
F*ck solid axle!!!
"What's that? Death wobble! Oh no, now I have to spend twice as much as I would to bullet proof an IFS- to repair my front end- then I have to spend more money to "prevent" (aka prolong the inevitable) the death wobble! Oh and my truck still drives like crap when I'm done!"
Do what I did; Call Dmaxstore, whip out the debit card- say "stage 3 package please", hang up, await parts- and install! Lol
I prefer the PPE centerlink over kryponite as it eliminates the jog where the tie rod connects. The kryponite probably ends up with a tighter turn radius. But IF you break a tie rod with the complete kryponite setup you're SOL until you have a new one mailed to you. With the PPE setup if I break a kryponite tierod I can just throw a stock one in its place while I wait for the replacement.
The next person that says a solid axles is so great, id like to mail them the parts bill for our rebuilds. We have a few 550s for my business, and the dam junk front ends dont hold up. The bar ends and knuckles last 1.5-2 yrs. Trucks do nothin but drive on roads and haul and pull stuff. And im not the only one, i have plenty of people i know with same issues.
Everything has its issues. But ill take a "ifs" over solid any day. The ride, tire wear, functionality of the "ifs" is awesome. Handles big power, 4x4 launches ect without a problem when built right, but eberything wears eventually.
Everything has its issues. But ill take a "ifs" over solid any day. The ride, tire wear, functionality of the "ifs" is awesome. Handles big power, 4x4 launches ect without a problem when built right, but eberything wears eventually.
Last edited:
X2F*ck solid axle!!!
"What's that? Death wobble! Oh no, now I have to spend twice as much as I would to bullet proof an IFS- to repair my front end- then I have to spend more money to "prevent" (aka prolong the inevitable) the death wobble! Oh and my truck still drives like crap when I'm done!"
Do what I did; Call Dmaxstore, whip out the debit card- say "stage 3 package please", hang up, await parts- and install! Lol
You and I...were not so different.
I've said this almost word for word to countless people.
X3 on this!
IFS is much better than a solid axle. Want to go backwards on technology? great buy a solid axle Ram or Ford. While your at it just saddle up the donkey and go green...
GM's system has its weak links, but IFS in general is not the issue. It is the superior choice when built properly, but it costs a lot of money to build right.
The system below is the IFS on our Fendt tractor, it's a bit beefier than GM IFS, but I still wouldn't trade is for a solid axle tractor.
GM's system has its weak links, but IFS in general is not the issue. It is the superior choice when built properly, but it costs a lot of money to build right.
The system below is the IFS on our Fendt tractor, it's a bit beefier than GM IFS, but I still wouldn't trade is for a solid axle tractor.
IFS is better than a solid front axle, usually if you want to do an SAS you will want the truck for extreme offroading.
even still, no. it all dependent on what you want out of it. slow rock crawling or mudder truck are about all its good for anymore. if you want speed, its sure as hell out
You don't need braces with a straight PPE style centerlink. Since its straight, rotating would do nothing to change the steering geometry. I do like the idea of reinforcing the idler/bracket though.
Sent from my iPhone.
Sent from my iPhone.
Ifs is the bomb my shed hauler has 230,000 on it and has never had a single part replaced. And my brother in law is going through the death wobbles for the 3rd time in his dodge with less miles than mine, Doing the same job as me.
Im glad this thread came up. Im actually finding alittle humor in this. I just got a call from a family member driving up from arizona to our house in wisconsin. They made it to dubuque iowa and are now stranded. Huge dodge people to. Anyway, its a dodge mega cab and now i have to go drive 2.5hrs with a trailer and pick them up and haul it back to my shop and work on there junk cummins in-between deer hunting. Super excited. Anyway, i told him not only you guys, but now your cummins gets to ride in class for 2.5hrs.
Funny part of this story is, he said he just had it rebuilt last yr for the second time. :roflmao:
ill have pics to confirm this all, but seems this time its something inside the diff. None the less these solid axles are awesome. :happy2:
Funny part of this story is, he said he just had it rebuilt last yr for the second time. :roflmao:
ill have pics to confirm this all, but seems this time its something inside the diff. None the less these solid axles are awesome. :happy2:
Last edited: