So I was thinking today...

[lost1]

and this is a dangerous thing for me to do. When I start thinking, I get ideas, and usually those ideas are bad ones.:D:o

The IFS waggies were 4wd right? And, if so, what sort of hurdles are you looking at to refit a more modern wagoneer with IFS; is it even feasible?

I know, I know, anything can be done with money. And I know a solid axle has a lot of bennies :rolleyes: Let's just treat this like an exercise in thinking outside the box.

EDIT: I knew I was forgetting something. Did the original system use I-beams or an A-arm setup? I would think I-beam, but thinking always gets me into trouble.

also, the chief reason I'm thinking on this is because articulation and huge tires aren't going to be a goal on this wagoneer. Speed and comfort, with desert running and scenic trails, now... there's a thought.

[joe]

Prolly no harder than other axle swaps. I almost came near to dropping a 63 body on a 64 IFS rolling chassis but an IFS swap to a late Wag is going to bring up issues. A: IFS parts are a googley moogley mutha to find. That's "after" you find an IFS axle in the first place. B; gonna be steering parts issues. Plus the IFS Wags used a D27 front end, not exactly an upgrade to what you now have. Then the bucks to swap axle gears to match front/rear.
I agree if articulation isn't a concern and comfortable crap road driving is, an IFS set is a good choice.
Your plan is doable for sure and if money and parts hassles are no object go for it. Yeah the trucks had a D44 IFS but still with the above issues plus the body mods to fit the wider axle then living with the wide front narrow rear soapbox derby racer look.
Prolly better to find a stock IFS Wag and restore it.

[Creepy 1]

It's not a bad idea but parts to do it original is going to be a real challenge. A Ford 4x4 IFS may make a good candidate.

[skeletor]

i saw an article about 2 years ago where some magazine put a wagoneer body on a durango frame w/ IFS. i'm not a fan of IFS but it would be neat to take the front IFS out of a military HMMV and put it under a FSJ.

[mattbauer]

OK, I dont want to sound like an idiot but, What is IFS?

[joe]

Independent Front Suspension avail on the first generation Kaiser FSJ's

[azpackrat]

Independent Front Suspension, as opposed to the solid front axle on all newer than 65? FSJ's.
There was an article in JP last year about TJ's that they use for snow running somewhere in the Great White North. If I remember correctly they were all converted to IFS for clearance. Maybe check their archives.

[bigblock91]

Independent front suspention

[lost1]

Yeah... we jeep folk tend to filter out everything we hear about suspension if it doesn't involve a solid axle. No harm there, that's the best application for most 'real' jeepers. Not the yuppies buying wranglers to make a statement.

Or the ones driving the IFS Liberties, or Commanders.
I don't think the systems out of those would work; probably too complicated for an old-fashioned 4wd system to connect into. I haven't looked very far into it yet, but think of Chrysler's inbred version of the QT, and you're probably getting close to the Commander's 4wd systems. A Liberty system would probably be too weak for the application.

So, I'm certainly not opposed to looking outside the box. It occurs to me to look at some of the aftermarket Tacoma setups though; stock I'd be wary but there may be something worth considering elsewhere. I'll check out the ford 4x4 history on their IFS setups too.

Yeah... the more I think about this idea, the less crazy it seems. Maybe 'they' are the crazy ones...

[azpackrat]

The set-ups on the TJ's weren't from the kiddie kar Chrysler's, they were pretty stout because all the TJ's were running 500plus hp Cadillac engines and 40 inch tires.

[lost1]

I tried doing some searching earlier today on those TJs mentioned... didn't turn anything up. :( As much as those guys like to bang on their rigs, I'm sure it was pretty good stuff, I just can't find the article online.

[men in black]

Here's some photos if that helps to explain it.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n192/pixelhound/ifs/DSCF1928Small.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n192/pixelhound/ifs/DSCF1927Small.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n192/pixelhound/ifs/DSCF1930Small.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n192/pixelhound/ifs/DSCF1932Small.jpg

[Wayne]

Can you even get ball joints for it?

[tgreese]

Can you even get ball joints for it?

Doubtful. I'd guess if you need any parts, you'd have to make them or refurbish what you had.

My impression is that these IFS Jeeps were troublesome and/or didn't work very well. Some vehicles go extinct for good reason ...