GM Fleet Offroad upgrade

[Grieby54]

Amazing the GM will waste their upgrade money on gauges and other worthless stuff, when truly, the "offroad" community that this vehicles is trying to appeal to, wants a stronger driveline. Sure gauges are nice, and the skidplate too, but how about a SFA? That's where real durability comes in. And sure the Allison is a good tranny, and for those of us who prefer manual... Chevy could bump it up a bit. But I think it's just a waste of money. All you're buying is gauges, skid plates, and a tougher weakest like, instead of eliminating the weak link all together like they could . Dodge Power Wagons are a step in the right direction. By far the best factory equipt truck IMO...

 

[sled_dog]

It isn't for offroaders. Look at the website URL, it clearly says FLEET. It is for groups like Forest Rangers, and companies that have to get into off road(very light trails), not the offroad community.

 

[Grieby54]

Sorry, didn't know what Fleet meant. If it's light like that though, why such heavy duty skid plates?

 

[mudslinger99]

It isn't for offroaders. Look at the website URL, it clearly says FLEET. It is for groups like Forest Rangers, and companies that have to get into off road(very light trails), not the offroad community.

You did read the links I posted where you got this one from right ?

This package should be released for 2006 model year for the general public.. The cost of this package should be about a $5000 option that will only be offered on the 2500 HD series diesel..

As for GM putting a solid axle in their trucks I don't think you are going to see that unless their pickup truck sales drop off to a point where they are forced to try it to boost sales.. Then it will only be offered in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks but remain IFS for 1/2 ton..

I don't know about other area's but around here Chevy 3/4 and 1 ton pickups are more popular then Ford's and Dodge's with Ford being a close 2nd.. From reading other message boards the only thing appealing about Dodge is the Cummins motor and the solid axle.. The Ford has a solid axle and is a little better built then the Dodge.. What I see people saying the most is Chevy has the best built truck, best transmission and is a lot more comfortable inside the cab then the other 2. But they buy Dodge just because of the Cummins motor and it is easier to modify.. If Dodge didn't have the Cummins motor I bet their heavy duty pickup sales would drop by half .. If Chevy had the Cummins their sales would sky rocket even with the IFS..

Face it most of the people buying trucks now days are looking for comfort and not for something that can hold bigger tires and be modified to handle severe duty off-road.. Most trucks are bought buy people that want comfort not because they actually need a truck or because their going to to be going off the pavement.. Most new 4x4 vehicles sold today almost never even get put in 4wd the whole time the person that buys them own's them.. So that is why I think Chevy is sticking to the IFSfront end..

 

[afroman006]

Hooray for IFS! I love chevy's IFS. People love to claim that it sucks and stuff wears out faster and that they got erectile dysfunction from it but the fact of the matter is it WORKS FINE and has been working fine for 17 years! My 98 K3500 (yes 4x4 1 ton) with the big bad IFS front end rides like a damn caddy. My girlfriend's truck (98 Dodge 3/4 ton 2wd w/ cummins), her mom's (02 Dodge 3/4 ton 2wd w/ cummins) and her dad's (98 Dodge 1 ton dually w/ cummins) all ride like a laundry basket falling down the stairs. I've only put around 7,000 miles on my truck but it has 149k on it total and still drives and handles wonderfully. We also have a 97 Z71 that has the "horrible" IFS and its front suspension wasnt touched until 215,000 miles. Both my IFS trucks handle and corner far better than any straight axle vehicle I've driven (Toyota, Jeeps, Superduties, etc.) and obviously ride much better as well.

I do believe this is a large enough group of vehicles to draw conclusions from and the fact of the matter is that IFS is far superior to a straight axle for on road performance.

As far as offroading, I have been 100% satisfied with the offroad performance of both my IFS rigs. They are by no means hardcore wheelers but at the same time easily hold their own when the going gets tough. I am just as pleased with the performance of my IFS 4x4's as I ever was with my unmodified straight axle'd vehicles.

As far as modifications go, I will secede that IFS is inferior in a lifted application. But, life is all about compromises right?