RolltideFord

So as the title states, why do I notice a lot of haters on big IFS lift? Is it the assumption of ground clearance problems? Mall crawler claims since its not a SAS? Is the only really lifted truck accepted that is a solid axle in the front?

Here are some topics to discus.

1) What's the real reason for not liking big IFS lifts?
2) Is it not affordability so in turn hatred?
3) Assumption it cost the same for an SAS vs a big IFS lift?
4) Flex issues?
5) Mall Crawler only?
6) IFS component's to weak for lift?
7) Brakes can't handle tires?
8) Isn't a diesel?
9) Complaining of MPG?

My side so to speak,
I have a big IFS so I am a little bias and I love the size of my lift because I like the truck...um yea really its because I LIKE IT and not others , but I do see some points that IFS lifts fail due to front drop down not able to flex with the upcoming object in the middle due to drop down cross member. However, both CV joints can flex very nice when showing off flex ratio. Also, I can see some IFS lifts that jack up CV angles(no company names I want to call out) but if done right it can maintain proper rotation. UCA/LCA can have ball joints and arms in general upgraded to massive proportion and functionality. Brakes, well if you think brakes can be effected have you googled upgrade rotors and pads lol. Gas of course sucks, but what do you expect on that much lift? Gas motors/trans cant handle a surprising amount of HP and TQ yet people assume that once you put big lift and tires that your engine/trans just cant handle it, yet I have seen lowered truck pushing massive HP with no change to trans? I have buddies that have done SAS and short of driveway swaps its going to run you massive amounts of money to be able to go over boulders???

Cracks me up when people say, Oh nice mall crawler or man you have ruined that truck by lifting that high on IFS. Then they pull away in there $2-8k beater that only cost a max of what the cost of the whole truck is worth to fix; and you stand there as they pull away and say to yourself in confusion; "yea but if you have a $30k+ truck, why ruin it and not use it was it was intended for; hauling and towing??"

Now for SAS side, I would say that SAS will always be the more functionality of mods as once you can get one on then you can do more "rock crawling"(mud still sinks both tires and drags the axle . Less moving parts than IFS. Ummmm idk much else.....maybe to be different and say I did a SAS swap?

So as you can see this is a discussion thread. This is a thread that when people Google IFS vs SAS they can get a equal side to the debate and not just one way is the only way.

No reason to get ridiculous on response, i.e. that F'ing dumb and your so dumb, etc..

Just like to have a good forum topic that I see so much on Google and many other forums I have read through.

zimmer0

iTrader: (1)

Big ifs kits are cheaper, easier to find, direct bolt on, little knowledge needed for proper install and maintenance. Like you said, everything can be upgraded to handle a bit more than stock parts but when it comes to half ton ifs there is a limit imo. I personally would never run anything over a 38" tire on 1/2 ton ifs simply because its not nearly as strong as SFA or 3/4ton ifs for that matter. Wheel bearings,balljoints,tierods,etc just dont last long enough especially if a DD. i DDed 37's for 4yrs and it was fun for the first 2 then it became a maintenance pit.
I could care less whether its a mall crawler or a competition mud truck, everyone builds/buys their trucks for different purposes.

RolltideFord

Great info. And this is the stuff I love to read about.. But you say IFS kits are cheap? $6000 is cheap...can I come work for you lol...for the knowledge portion, that would fall into the person who takes the truck to some hole in the wall place to install a kit and done wrong is going to end up bad, but yet an SAS done wrong can also cause massive problems as well. Strong you say? Whats not strong? UCA/LCA? they have massively beefed up on upgraded ones and also ball joints an CV axles? You say that an SFA Moser axles are never going to break at max flex or torque or bind? Also SFA have bearings as well... Or maybe gears rounded out just as it could in a IFS, wait no SFA have those too...

This is great debate info, please keep it coming as the ultimate thing we both agree on is that you build the truck for YOU not EVERYONE else...

buster096

yeah i really dont see the use of a sfa anymore. ifs is the way of the future and they make absolutely every ifs component as strong if not stronger than a straight axle.

zimmer0

iTrader: (1)

You can get a cognito/FTS/Showoff/TCS lift for cheaper than $6000.
Compared to a SFA that can easily be $10k if you have to buy the axle, custom springs, brackets, rebuild axle, have a shop do install, all the steering components, hydro assist etc etc

The IFS weak point is in the wheel bearings and front diff IMO.
balljoints on cv axles? never heard of that. link to info? interested

RolltideFord

Yes the kit isn't $6k but you only said that a SAS with install could be $10k, A IFS kit is around $3k-$5 PLUS install as well. You also can spend many thousands on new UCA/LCA, tie rods, custom CV axles, bearings and be looking at thousands ontop of the IFS kit plus install. IFS kits can be very beefed up in todays technology, now of course a SAS is just one solid axle but it to has many moving parts too. As you asked so shale you receive :P I was referring to ball joints on the UCA/LCA, although that would be crazy for a CV to have one lol.

zimmer0

iTrader: (1)

HP D60 SAS will always be stronger than any IFS setup no matter how much you upgrade IMO.

RolltideFord

I'll give ya that, yes SFA is ultimate stronger of the two but I don't understand why people just automatically say that a big IFS is incapable of driving and or mudding or heck even going over cars(B&C Off road had a car crush with there trucks) LOL.. I guess my debate really is just why so much hatred and writing off IFS lifts, seems like the only acceptable way to lift a truck high is either SAS or go buy a 3/4ton+ size truck?

Thanks for responded with a since of information and not just cutting to uneducated responses. Nice to have an adult talk about this as this topic is asked more and more as IFS kits are getting bigger and bigger.

Other options are very much accepted, even if you just want to ask questions about the topic.

zimmer0

iTrader: (1)

strength, bottom line.

Some IFS lift manufacturers had problems early on with the subframes bending when put to the test. They have since upgraded to thicker subframes and kicker braces. WhipLash comes to mind.
More often the not the people that argue it have no real world experience or have the mindset of F250/Cummins or bust. 3/4ton IFS lifted 10"+ can still be plenty strong BUT not as strong as their 3/4ton SFA counterparts. Most guys that do put 10" IFS kits are mainly for show anyway or "play" with it on rare occassion and like a nice clean DD if they choose to do so.

RolltideFord

Great post zimmer0! I think you got it just right on that one. I run a 16" 3rd Coast and I have taken to some "play" time within reason. But as you even put that a lot of people do the bigger newer IFS to just have a nice DD.

To true that most people that debate/hate really have never run a big IFS lift so there experience is merely assumption that it just cant hold up very well, which now a day kits are very beefed up with thick dropdown brackets as you mentioned.