robcarync
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- Location
- Raleigh, NC
My 2004 Xterra has the IFS all built up: control arms, grassroots center link, gusseted idler and pitman arms...idler arm braces and bushings...and heavy duty tie rods. Front Lokka is nice in the stock diff, too. That being said, I seem to have trouble keeping the thing road worthy.
Wheeling seems to always end up with jammed up tie rods, alignment out of whack, and my latest issue is wheel bearings. They had already been replaced about two years ago, and I learned my lesson from my last grenaded bearing...so I have repacked them at least once a year. One time wheeling and two drives on the beach and they are back to making a bad sounding noise, so it is back to clean and repack again....and again....and again.
So my question is: how much more durable is a basic solid axle swap as compared to a built up IFS? I am throwing the SAS idea around in my head as more of a durability upgrade than a huge lift for giant tires. I would want to keep a similar stance and keep my 33s. I really don't wheel super hard...so it isn't so much about gaining the extreme flex and offroad capability to me.
Are the IFS headaches of tie rods and steering systems simply replaced by other weak points?
I have the idea of doing a basic leaf spring set up...or dropping cash money on the Calmini kit. Obviously weak points will always exist with any design, but surely less moving parts and them all in a solid casing would equal a more durable set up?
Or do I just have wishful thinking looking at greener grass on the other side?
Wheeling seems to always end up with jammed up tie rods, alignment out of whack, and my latest issue is wheel bearings. They had already been replaced about two years ago, and I learned my lesson from my last grenaded bearing...so I have repacked them at least once a year. One time wheeling and two drives on the beach and they are back to making a bad sounding noise, so it is back to clean and repack again....and again....and again.
So my question is: how much more durable is a basic solid axle swap as compared to a built up IFS? I am throwing the SAS idea around in my head as more of a durability upgrade than a huge lift for giant tires. I would want to keep a similar stance and keep my 33s. I really don't wheel super hard...so it isn't so much about gaining the extreme flex and offroad capability to me.
Are the IFS headaches of tie rods and steering systems simply replaced by other weak points?
I have the idea of doing a basic leaf spring set up...or dropping cash money on the Calmini kit. Obviously weak points will always exist with any design, but surely less moving parts and them all in a solid casing would equal a more durable set up?
Or do I just have wishful thinking looking at greener grass on the other side?