TOY: IFS vs. Live Axles

[Ed Wong <ewong_kaizen@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thom Wrote:
Can't go there. As I see it, the only detraction to
IFS in principle
and not specific execution, is the reduction of ground
clearence during
suspension compression. An IFS tire is more likely to
be flat to the
ground than a LA tire which is due to the way the
geometry of each
works. This would lead to a bigger contact patch for
the IFS.
-----

First off - Im an IFS fan...

But that being said - Thom is right IMHO.

One quibble is that there are some advantages of a
solid axle - in turns. I recall that the Chapparla 2H
"whale" car used a De-dion axle in an attempt to
increase the cornering tire patch. My guess is that a
"solid" axle maintains the tire patch sizes on each
side of the axle in relation to each side (aka the
axle should not *bend* when loaded - no doh).

IMHO - the main advantage that a solid axle carries
for "rock cralwer" Toyota's is *cost*. Its simpler to
build and involves far less math/engineering to make
work.

One o these days I'll build little popsicle stick
models (or do the dynamics calculations) on just how
much of an IFS can be jammed into the front of a
Toyota truck.

Also - anyone take a close look athe IRS on the new
Exploders? Any potential for the rear diff in terms of
race car adaptability (ala Jag rear).

EWong

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