Let me give you the Cliff Notes version of ground clearance with solid front axle (SFA) and independent front suspension (IFS). Take two 4WD's, one with SFA and one with IFS that have 10" of ground minimum clearance. With SFA, no matter what the suspension is doing, it will have 10" ground clearance at its lowest point--usually the front differential. With IFS, when the suspension goes into compression, the ground clearance at the center of the suspension--usually right under things like the oil pan, etc.--can decrease substantially--up to 2" or more with a "soft" suspension. So, if the IFS has, say, the 10" of ground clearance at the A-arms and, say, 11" at the center, that center clearance may reduce to 9" when the suspension goes into compression. That is why IFS trucks may take considerably larger tires and greater suspension lift to achieve the same real world ground clearance of an SFA vehicle with shorter tires and less lift. I own and drive vehicles with either IFS or SFA. For hardcore 4-wheeling, I still prefer the SFA. The IFS vehicles that I've seen perform the best off-road are actually the HD GM pickups, in part because the IFS is stiff enough that it doesn't compress much in off-road situations. Toyota's IFS tends to be pretty good, too, because it is pretty "stiff" in off-road use.
Some vehicles with independent suspension perform very well offroad, the Steyr Puch Pinzgauer being one with front and rear independent springs aided by front and rear lockers and at the super heavy end the Czech Tatra trucks in 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 again with lockers in all axles, people are knocking the new Defender with all round independent suspension but it is this vehicles complexity and poor brand reliability that let it down, wait for the Defender 90" with coil springs instead of airbags, that should be a lot better.
@rockymountainjazzfan, I'm going to assume your screen name means you're a Utah resident. Go head out to King of the Hammer in Moab and tell me how well SFA is working. Can't wait and don't want to travel that far? Go to your local Can-Am or Polaris dealer and look at their side by sides. Or, you can watch videos on Ultra4s or military humvees.
I'm thinking about trying my all-wheel drive Astro with the G80 and all terrain tires and torsion bar lift out on one of your Trail I love you guys videos I look forward to them every morning
I love everything about your guys's Channel. One thing I have noticed is seems like a lot of you hate on that trail boss. The stock truck that's done everything you've asked it to do was 0 problems that you guys have reported. You guys are still kissing the ass of that Ford that broke down with only 10000 miles. You guys surely do love that gladiator I don't see the big deal about that vehicle it's just an overpriced Jeep in my opinion. You sure all this love to both these other vehicles but you really don't show anything to that Chevy. Some of your videos are sponsored by Mopar it just seems like you guys are being a little extra nice to FCA because of the Mopar thing.
@@TFLclassics I watch all your guys's videos one video about the Silverado isn't showing at love. Most of the time the video about the Silverado is always comparing it to something else. I just don't understand how come you don't put an exhaust it. The only person coming around to it seems like is Roman. Love your channel like I said love all the content you do. How about this you guys just did a video on the Jeep Gladiator building it on the computer so you can put the EcoDiesel in it. It's no different than any other time you've done it it just has the diesel. You guys focus on that jeep so much. You guys seem to complain about the G80 locker in the Chevy stop complaining about it and put a real Locker in it I show people with the differences on the Silverado.
@@jameswagley7885 bud you're saying, "add parts to that Chevy to show it's real potential". No, they got it to review it stock. Just because you're a Chevy fanboy doesn't mean they're not giving it a fair review. The G80 is good for what it was built for, MILD off road use. They're complaints are based on the fact Chevy calls it a locker and its actually an aggressive limited slip.
Andre, try using the word 'and' more often, instead of 'but'. You frequently say things like, "This truck has [item], [item], but it also has [item]." The word 'and' works better 90% of the time. I love the channel. This is just a tip. BTW, Andre isn't the only one that does this, this is just his video, and he probably does it a slight bit more than everyone else.
What you missed is that independent suspension loses ground clearance as it flexes upwards. This is the key problem (along with drive live angle) of ifs
On the ford make sure the heat shield is big enough for the spare. I’ve been 300+ miles from home and the spare was melted through from the exhaust heat. In the video Around 4:45 it looks like the exhaust is super close to the tire with nothing to protect it. Maybe I’m wrong
DC Details yes I know But I’m in the RV industry and to achieve what he’s doing is phenomenal and unheard of truly of course he spent the money but it’s very capable
@@ripfletching unheard of? I know multiple people who have 3/4 or 1 ton overlanding rigs, all with much larger campers than this. That tiny little camper is like half the payload capacity.
No mention of clearance underneath the pumpkin, wheel articulation, vehicle lean, traction, durability, or independence of motion? That darn Tommy did almost destroy your camera ;)!
@@HioSSilver1999 we get it... your a die hard fan boy that could buy a brand new Chevy, blow it up in a week and blame Ford and i get it... compared to a VW its reliable, compared to my Toyota its just a Joke
@@samduran5180 weekend warriors that run all week... my Taco has 313,000 miles and burns zero oil, original clutch and rear brakes ... chevy hits 300k and its on its third motor and forth transmission ... your right... no comparison, i never have to do anything to my truck
@@philtripe Your talking about Ford dude those damn trucks don't last for shit. Don't forget Chevrolet trucks are the longest lasting trucks on the road according to DMV. And come on you know 99% Toyotas are weekend warriors and I've seen a few with LS swaps😉
Man, you guys consistently come out with such awesome content. Y'all are some hard workers!
Let me give you the Cliff Notes version of ground clearance with solid front axle (SFA) and independent front suspension (IFS). Take two 4WD's, one with SFA and one with IFS that have 10" of ground minimum clearance. With SFA, no matter what the suspension is doing, it will have 10" ground clearance at its lowest point--usually the front differential. With IFS, when the suspension goes into compression, the ground clearance at the center of the suspension--usually right under things like the oil pan, etc.--can decrease substantially--up to 2" or more with a "soft" suspension. So, if the IFS has, say, the 10" of ground clearance at the A-arms and, say, 11" at the center, that center clearance may reduce to 9" when the suspension goes into compression. That is why IFS trucks may take considerably larger tires and greater suspension lift to achieve the same real world ground clearance of an SFA vehicle with shorter tires and less lift. I own and drive vehicles with either IFS or SFA. For hardcore 4-wheeling, I still prefer the SFA. The IFS vehicles that I've seen perform the best off-road are actually the HD GM pickups, in part because the IFS is stiff enough that it doesn't compress much in off-road situations. Toyota's IFS tends to be pretty good, too, because it is pretty "stiff" in off-road use.
Good explanation
Some vehicles with independent suspension perform very well offroad, the Steyr Puch Pinzgauer being one with front and rear independent springs aided by front and rear lockers and at the super heavy end the Czech Tatra trucks in 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 again with lockers in all axles, people are knocking the new Defender with all round independent suspension but it is this vehicles complexity and poor brand reliability that let it down, wait for the Defender 90" with coil springs instead of airbags, that should be a lot better.
@rockymountainjazzfan, I'm going to assume your screen name means you're a Utah resident. Go head out to King of the Hammer in Moab and tell me how well SFA is working. Can't wait and don't want to travel that far? Go to your local Can-Am or Polaris dealer and look at their side by sides. Or, you can watch videos on Ultra4s or military humvees.
I was worried the ford was going to flip at one point with all that top heavy weight on it.
so ultimate ground clearance really comes down to the tire height, got it
Suspension lifts, body lifts, don't mean a lot of you don't have tall tires.
You have to lift to clear bigger tires...but yes, the bigger tires give the ground clearance
Herb Wheeler body lift gives zero ground clearance
@@flight2k5 pretty sure thats what he basically said.
STACKANE yep just woke up when I read that. Muh bad
Great video! It would be nice to see what the trail boss could do if it was modified. Maybe with just a set of bigger tires, and a light rack.
I'm thinking about trying my all-wheel drive Astro with the G80 and all terrain tires and torsion bar lift out on one of your Trail I love you guys videos I look forward to them every morning
IFS will never have Death Wobble like a solid axle.
Good to see just how capable that stock Trail Boss is.
2 solid axles forever and ever...
Awesome video. If you need another trail check out mount Blanca it's a little ways from Denver but it gets pretty challenging.
I love everything about your guys's Channel. One thing I have noticed is seems like a lot of you hate on that trail boss. The stock truck that's done everything you've asked it to do was 0 problems that you guys have reported. You guys are still kissing the ass of that Ford that broke down with only 10000 miles. You guys surely do love that gladiator I don't see the big deal about that vehicle it's just an overpriced Jeep in my opinion. You sure all this love to both these other vehicles but you really don't show anything to that Chevy. Some of your videos are sponsored by Mopar it just seems like you guys are being a little extra nice to FCA because of the Mopar thing.
Did you see the last episode? It is completely about the silverado! Please note we take sponsorships from vehicle manufacturers, Jeep or otherwise
@@TFLclassics I watch all your guys's videos one video about the Silverado isn't showing at love. Most of the time the video about the Silverado is always comparing it to something else. I just don't understand how come you don't put an exhaust it. The only person coming around to it seems like is Roman. Love your channel like I said love all the content you do. How about this you guys just did a video on the Jeep Gladiator building it on the computer so you can put the EcoDiesel in it. It's no different than any other time you've done it it just has the diesel. You guys focus on that jeep so much. You guys seem to complain about the G80 locker in the Chevy stop complaining about it and put a real Locker in it I show people with the differences on the Silverado.
The new landrover with open diffs showed that gladiator up in the newer video
@@jameswagley7885 bud you're saying, "add parts to that Chevy to show it's real potential". No, they got it to review it stock. Just because you're a Chevy fanboy doesn't mean they're not giving it a fair review.
The G80 is good for what it was built for, MILD off road use. They're complaints are based on the fact Chevy calls it a locker and its actually an aggressive limited slip.
Questionable integrity.
I just caught this. Why did you keep the stock running boards on the F-250?
How often do you all lose or break a camera.great video as always.
I'd love to be able to drive over tin cup pass in a gladiator on the weekday and just call it a day at the office. I envy your job
Andre, try using the word 'and' more often, instead of 'but'. You frequently say things like, "This truck has [item], [item], but it also has [item]." The word 'and' works better 90% of the time. I love the channel. This is just a tip. BTW, Andre isn't the only one that does this, this is just his video, and he probably does it a slight bit more than everyone else.
Right on TFL!!!!..this was an Awesome video....there's one for you💙Thanks guys☺🏁🏁🏁
What you missed is that independent suspension loses ground clearance as it flexes upwards. This is the key problem (along with drive live angle) of ifs
When does shocks start looking like they're mounted upside down?
Different shocks and different style valves decide which orientation the shock is mounted.
The lower rear shock mounts on the chevy and especially the ford look like they're begging to get ripped off on a rock.
This video is very satisfying. My inner nerd thanks you.
That suspension cam.. off the hook !!
The truck almost smashed the camera 😂
5:15 what’s causing all that noise?
Great video!!
That Jeep already has the dead wobble.. jk great footage!
On the ford make sure the heat shield is big enough for the spare. I’ve been 300+ miles from home and the spare was melted through from the exhaust heat. In the video Around 4:45 it looks like the exhaust is super close to the tire with nothing to protect it. Maybe I’m wrong
Great video...
That Ford F2 50 is amazing considering how much weight you have in the back of the truck it seem like it went through that with no problems
Then again, it has like a $8,000 Suspension Upgrade! Only stock truck here is the Trailboss
DC Details yes I know But I’m in the RV industry and to achieve what he’s doing is phenomenal and unheard of truly of course he spent the money but it’s very capable
@@ripfletching unheard of? I know multiple people who have 3/4 or 1 ton overlanding rigs, all with much larger campers than this. That tiny little camper is like half the payload capacity.
Hey guys love the channel. I love the Ford Carli, tires, and the tremor package. But with that why not lift the Chevy. Just curious love the Ford
Great vids guys 👍👍
Do trucks need more durable beefy suspension?
is it possible to have the SILVERADO with a 3.0 in. suspension lift??? the Chevy seriously needs a 3.5 in. suspension lift & 35.0 in. tyres!!!
No mention of clearance underneath the pumpkin, wheel articulation, vehicle lean, traction, durability, or independence of motion? That darn Tommy did almost destroy your camera ;)!
Cool but am sorry I just can't stand the running board's on the Superduty.
Was that Silverado 4x4?
I'm using 20inch rims on my gmc yukon coupe instead of 16inch or 17inch because of ground clearance
You got no meat tho
@@joelmora2826 and a rather streety selection of tires
@@joelmora2826 I'm using BFG KO2 305/555R20
@@philtripe check my channel and go to my cars list
You will find a video about my gmc
Man that's not gaining you any ground clearance at all, and bigger wheels are worse for off road, you want the maximum amount of sidewall
They all did it ... but only Andre did it with a full on house in the bed lol
It was scary - carrying an entire house on the trail! Full video is coming to @TFLtruck tomorrow.
@@TFLtalk Can't wait!! Love seeing that big 7.3 just walking down the trails lol
why do the DRL in the SILVERADO keep flickering away even when stationary???
Chandrachur Niyogi it’s the LED cooling off and high speed, the video slows the function down
Good Picks
Trail boss🤙
GM - a competitive suspension to Jeep Na just put a metal plate in place let them Crash an bottom out they ain’t really going anyways
8:12 The rear shock mounts hang WAY too low on the Ford. Seems like a very poor design. That is a broken shock and shock mount just waiting to happen.
The truck wasn't designed to go trail riding. Its made for pulling heavy ass shit
@Bill Madd it should have a little skid plate for it. Many raptors have it
When did shocks
@@06colkurtz this reminds me of two toddlers talking... they understand each other but no one else can understand them
What in the heck is an FX5
I'm glad you have the trailboss there in case the other junks get stuck or in the fords case, breaks down . lol
So gm really does stand for generally mediocre, not great but not awful.
Generic Motor Crap
Is it absolutely necessary that all trucks have such low mounted shocks? It triggers me!
That's how you fit the longest possible shock. But yes for off road it's not helpful having them so exposed
So it took 2 modded trucks to follow the chevy.....sounds abput right.
um the jeep has the same kind of lift as the chevy. its a factory lift.
@@Stackali it's a stock vehicle vs 2 modded vehicles.
Is that hard for you to understand?
HioSSilver1999 stock gladiator solid axles, front, and rear lockers from factory.
@@HioSSilver1999 we get it... your a die hard fan boy that could buy a brand new Chevy, blow it up in a week and blame Ford and i get it... compared to a VW its reliable, compared to my Toyota its just a Joke
@@Jay-uk1zx yea i know. It's still not a stock vehicle.
none of them are diesel.
When Toyota is more American than GM
My 2014 Silverado was built in Fort Wayne, IN.
Toyotas are weekend warriors no comparison.
Where do Toyota profits go? Any idea?
@@samduran5180 weekend warriors that run all week... my Taco has 313,000 miles and burns zero oil, original clutch and rear brakes ... chevy hits 300k and its on its third motor and forth transmission ... your right... no comparison, i never have to do anything to my truck
@@philtripe Your talking about Ford dude those damn trucks don't last for shit. Don't forget Chevrolet trucks are the longest lasting trucks on the road according to DMV. And come on you know 99% Toyotas are weekend warriors and I've seen a few with LS swaps😉
GM..IFS junk do not belong on 3/4 and 1 ton trucks it belongs on 1/2 ton trucks and SUV's just what Ford ang Dodge has done