Independent Suspension on a YJ?

GoBerserk · 12-19-2005, 02:44 AM

This is just for kicks, but I was wondering what people thought of the possibility of fitting an independent suspension to thier jeep. I was thinking it would provide the most benefit and would be easier to do in the rear.

I guess the main trade-off is you move the articulation of the driveline from the driveshaft to the axles. Most axles are CV to begin with so that would be good. But, given the wheel travel most folks are looking for you'd need to use some that could telescope too.

I suspect the benefit would be increased traction at high flex. Depending on the setup of the A-arms you could keep your camber near 0 so when you flex over an obstacle you maintain a good contact patch. I know this theory applies to street cars, but I wonder if it doesn't to an offroad setup because your tires are aired down so they basically mush to whatever they're touching anyway.

Let the good times roll . . .

mYJ · 12-19-2005, 07:08 AM

Now I don't know if you are serious or just trolling here but I'm bored so....

NOBODY wants IRS unless you are looking at something as manly as a Honda Ridgeline.

As the suspension compresses on an IRS (or IFS for that matter) you lose all your clearance. Independant suspensions are also weaker. At the tires reach either extreme of compression or droop the CVs are much more prone to breaking.

Walker Evans tried a fully indepentant suspension on his competition rock crawler and switched back to solid axles after saying the rig just wasn't stable especially off camber.

Keep independant suspension on the street or desert racer where it belongs.

**BESRK** · 12-19-2005, 07:11 AM

I think it was Walker Evans who tried this on his competition buggy.. he used a modified D60 center section with long A arms and half shafts.. think he only wheeled it a short time before swapping back to solid axles. I'm no suspension engineer but I like to mull these types of ideas around in my head none the less. I think the biggest problem with IFS suspension for the average offroad rig is, the longest you could make your A arms and halfshafts would be around 36" or so.. give or take a few. That means those arms are swinging in a pretty short arc because they're pivot point is the center of the vehicle. Whereas with a standard straight axle, your pivot point for the axle is the opposite side tire. It just seems easier to gain more travel out of the longer arc than out of the shorter arc with a halfshaft and it's joints. I think the IFS suspensions come on stronger in the highway ride department. Swapping a long arm IFS into a Jeep would probably result in a plusher highway ride with mild/medium trail capability... just my thought.

edit: I see mYJ already mentioned Walker Evans while I was writing my response...

bretm · 12-19-2005, 07:49 AM

In the northeast style wheeling I'd say independent front and rear suspension is kind of a moot point, but leans towards being better than solid axles. Having less clearance at compression is made up for some by having more clearance when not compressed.

Solid axles work though, all the engineering kinks have been ironed out long ago, so why change.

rsoffar · 12-19-2005, 07:55 AM

this guy is just looking for an argument

GoBerserk · 12-19-2005, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsoffar

this guy is just looking for an argument

Actually no, I've been lurking on the forum for a while; interested in getting a jeep. Honestly I was just curious. Losing clearance when flexed seems like a pretty good reason not to do it. And I can see why the CV telescoping driveshafts would be weaker. Oh well, it was just a thought.

**BESRK** · 12-19-2005, 12:21 PM

He can't be all bad... he's a fellow
<--------- berserk

rsoffar · 12-19-2005, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoBerserk

Actually no, I've been lurking on the forum for a while; interested in getting a jeep. Honestly I was just curious. Losing clearance when flexed seems like a pretty good reason not to do it. And I can see why the CV telescoping driveshafts would be weaker. Oh well, it was just a thought.

ok sorry about that.

basically there are more things to break on a ifs and also you can get better travel and traction because of the pivot points out of a solid axle. (thats the short of it)

jeepmud · 12-19-2005, 04:18 PM

ifs is a bad idea. at least on a wranagler

admar2 · 12-19-2005, 06:21 PM

if you want a jeep with IFS,

buy yourself a toyota truck and join those goofballs.

no offense intended to the yoterheads. my little bro is actually one.

**Brown Dog** · 12-19-2005, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admar2

if you want a jeep with IFS,

buy yourself a toyota truck and join those goofballs.

no offense intended to the yoterheads. my little bro is actually one.

Don't get me started....Between those and the Land Rover guys, I've nearly worn out my log chain. But really.....IFS, IRS on a Wrangler. I am assuming you'll have a full roll-cage and 5 point harnesses???

safarimike · 12-19-2005, 09:09 PM

i think that most people would agree that the hummer h1 is the mother of all 4 wheelers and that has independent suspension both front and rear. so what gives?