IFS Or Solid Axle- Which Is Better Off-Road? | Harry Situations

The Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco are two of the most capable 4x4s on the market. Both are available with a removable top, 35-inch tall tires, locking differentials, and low gearing for off-road use. One of the biggest differences between the two is the front axle and suspension; a solid axle for the Wrangler and Independent Front Suspension (IFS) for the Bronco. The debate between a solid front axle or IFS started when the first IFS 4x4 rolled off the assembly line, and it still hasn’t been resolved. Forty years ago almost every truck came with a solid axle. Over the years, trucks have gone from utility vehicles to daily drivers, with the cabs getting bigger, the beds getting smaller, and more and more creature comforts added. Part of that refinement meant phasing out leaf springs and the replacement of solid front axles with independent front suspension.

Today the only vehicles that come with solid front axles are the Ford Super Duty, Ram heavy duty pickups, the six figure Mercedes G Wagon, and the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator. Does that mean independent front suspension superior to a solid axle? Like so many things in life, the answer of which is better is “it depends.” But what does it depend on? Keep watching as we go into detail on the mechanics of IFS and solid axles, the terrain they accel in, and a real world shootout between a Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.

Chapters-
00:00 -Introduction
00:40 - Suspension History
01:29 - Vehicles with Solid Front Axles
01:59 - Suspension Terms
03:07 - Strength Comparison
04:45 - Wrangler vs Bronco
05:11 - Mitch’s Bronco
10:24 - Matt’s Wrangler
14:32 - Rocks Comparison
15:21 - High Speed Comparison
16:21 - Outro

Drop a comment and let us know what you want to see next from Harry!

Want to know the different features of the Nitto tires we used?

[Lykapodium]

The answer is simple. Solid axle for crawling, IFS for high speed trail running.

[DUNEATV]

I have two Rubicons a 2021 and a 2024. Both 3.6L 8-speed automatics…these new Jeep JL’s are simply amazing! They are so comfortable and built so solid. No reliability issues and can take a beating off road. Definitely no ifs for me!

[luckydarkhorse]

I have had both and my preference is solid axle. I currently have IFS on the vehicle that I currently own and I am looking forward to get rid of the IFS and converting doing a SAS. Solid Axle ALL the way.

[mblake]

Left the sway bar cinected on jeep limiting its axel travel so the bronco didnt get absolutely spanked on video lmao

[mikex]

Have a 2nd gen 4Runner and a Jeep WJ. You can feel the bump steer on the solid front axle rig when on the street, and yes, the dreaded death wobble is a possibility if any of your front-end parts are worn out (have experienced it first-hand, and it isn't fun). But on flexy sections, solid axles reign supreme. The IFS is more well-mannered on-road without wobble or bump steer (considering your tires are balanced well), but off-road, they just don't flex as good up front, leading to more wheel lifts. CVs being weaker on the IFS are also a real thing, as the shaft is out in the open on an IFS, whereas it is protected within the axle housing on a solid front axle. Lifts and tire size upgrades are so much easier on a solid axle vehicle, while there are hard limits to lifting an IFS vehicle, due to suspension geometry and CV angles and such.

[WhatTheIfYouSeeKay]

I couldn’t decide which is better so I got both! Out of the four 4x4’s I own 3 (Expedition, Tacoma, 4runner) are IFS. 1 (JLUR) is solid axle. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. Both excel in some conditions and both struggle in others. So ai say have one of each! Cuz I like the, both!

[blakemarchand]

Solid Axles for me. Think how cool the modern Braptor would be with a Dana 44 or 50 in the front.

[LukeEdward]

I just enjoy the ability to lift my vehicle in my driveway, with ease, with a solid axle. Other than that, the best axle is the one that doesn’t break.

[AustinH]

1:46 I felt like I was watching Dora as I screamed Jeep gladiator over and over during that section only to be disappointed 😂

[krashnpa]

The post comments now blip made me LOL. I need something with a solid axle that is point and shoot, I just don't have the 'finesse' I need to keep an IFS alive. That Sporttrac is definitely one of my all time faves.

[Good-luck-Jonathan]

Never been off-road, but I have a jeep gladiator Rubicon Eco diesel. Starting to do some upgrades and getting ready for my first off-road trip maybe one day this year.

[alanpilibosian]

I think a lot depends on how hard you wheel and how much you want to spend. A solid front axle is generally stronger (definitely in the Wrangler vs Bronco comparison) and it's easier and cheaper to lift and fit larger tires. I've had both and if you're gonna wheel hard but slow the solid front is the way to go. I think the average person running 35's and going to Moab once or twice a year will be fine with IFS or if you're into faster desert stuff. The drive on road is so much better with IFS. When I drove my Gladiator on long trips I was always exhausted but my Bronco doesn't wear me out nearly as bad and realistically no matter how much we aspire to go off-road the majority of our vehicles life will be spent on pavement.

[Nanan]

One of my co-workers got a Bronco earlier this year, one day returning from lunch he pulls into the work parking lot and snap, passenger side wheel pidgin toes in and he can't steer any more. Did he bend or snap the tie rod? nope he snapped the end off the steering rack. The dealership replaces the rack and gets his Bronco back to him about a week later. About a month later while coming to work he turns into the parking lot and snap, this time the passenger side tie rod snaps off at the ball joint. Ford again fixed it but now he is afraid to drive the thing as a parking lot entrance with a 5" tall curb has disabled his vehicle twice within 4 months.

[jasonlovell]

It takes a lot of engineering to design an ifs that works well and lasts but just about anybody can design a solid axle that does both.

[BillyBennecke]

I got me a mojave (my Mo-chine) I add to it, only as I need, but I still cant outdrive it's potential. I never did the wheeling in any othe 4x4, so I dont know that I'm missing out on anything. It's a wheeler when its required, a truck when it's require hit's the obsticles with some flair, and it's a convertible sports car from time to time.

I'm happy.

[Shakshuka]

Solid axle always. IFS gets worse and loses travel the more you lift it. It's not designed for lifts and big tires. You can do it, but you gain nothing but ground clearance and then you start breaking everything.

[bdd]

I have put hundreds on thousands of miles on solid axle Jeeps and K5 Blazers, and roughly 30, 000 miles on an IFS rig, wheeling almost every trail and park in Michigans lower peninsula. My JK with teraflex suspension and falcon shocks definitely handles high-speed whoop sections better than my IFS rig. However, my IFS rig was a stock Corvette with nothing but weight reduction for mods. So that may be part of it.

[hodad]

70 series Land Cruiser is still available new in Australia with solid front axle!

For me IFS all the way

[michaelphennicie]

IFS is like Rice Crispies. Snap. Crackle. Pop.

[squeakin]

IFS is doing better in rocks than ever before

Solid axle is doing better in high speed than ever before.

They both are overcoming their weak spots