Mercedes G-Class to gain an Independent Front Suspension and Turbo I6 Engines

[Submariner]

Depends a lot on the type of off-roading right? I'm no expert, but it seems like solid-axle would be better for more technical off-roading and rock crawling.

Do you want to bet that no purchaser of a $123,000 (base price) G-class is ever going to do that?

[GoCougs]

There are most definitely IFS rock crawler and hard core off road rigs in general. Thing is, as MX793 stated, IFS (and of course IRS) is much harder/costlier for the hobby guy to work with as the donor rigs and the various common components (like Rockwell 2.5 ton axles) are pretty much all live axle.

[BimmerM3]

Do you want to bet that no purchaser of a $123,000 (base price) G-class is ever going to do that?

Yeah I get that. Especially in the states, it's not like very many people are actually off-roading their G wagons anyway.

The IFS/solid-axle conversation had moved out of the context of the G.

[Submariner]

^Yeah, I realized that right after I posted it.

[Submariner]

There are most definitely IFS rock crawler and hard core off road rigs in general. Thing is, as MX793 stated, IFS (and of course IRS) is much harder/costlier for the hobby guy to work with as the donor rigs and the various common components (like Rockwell 2.5 ton axles) are pretty much all live axle.

The H1 was IRS/IFS, too, right?

[r0tor]

The problem with independent suspension generally is the sway bar severely limits travel.  Most street cars will run a sway bar, which means you then need to invest in disconnecting systems or something like Porsche's active swaybar... Most manufacturers will not see a reason to do so as it will no effect 99.97% of their buyers.

[MX793]

The problem with independent suspension generally is the sway bar severely limits travel.  Most street cars will run a sway bar, which means you then need to invest in disconnecting systems or something like Porsche's active swaybar... Most manufacturers will not see a reason to do so as it will no effect 99.97% of their buyers.

Many/most factory stick axle vehicles have sway bars as well.

[BimmerM3]

The H1 was IRS/IFS, too, right?

It was.

[r0tor]

Many/most factory stick axle vehicles have sway bars as well.

Does a Wrangler have sway bars... Yea
Are the sway bar endlinks like 2 feet long and can be easily disconnected... Yea


The application is a bit different on independent suspension vehicles

[AutobahnSHO]

The H1 was IRS/IFS, too, right?

Yup.





And in the rear, the brakes are mounted inside of the CV axles


I've never ever seen one that looked like the one on the right here

[BimmerM3]

And in the rear, the brakes are mounted inside of the CV axles

I did not know they did that. Pretty cool.

[Cookie Monster]

Man, inboard brakes would be cool to have if they weren't such a pain in the dick to service.