I am new here, but I have read almost every thead. Has any one done a build up like this but on a Isuzu http://www.zukiworld.com/month_010105/feature_operationrockstar_partone.htm

http://www.zukiworld.com/month_020105/feature_rockstarpart2.htm
http://www.zukiworld.com/month_050105/feature_rockstar_part3.htm
http://www.zukiworld.com/month_080105/feature_rockstarfinale.htm

I would like to do something like this with a 1st gen Amigo sitting on 33" tsl. I know that we run torsion bars in stead but I think it can be made to work. What do you guys think

Yeah Dallas did something similar to this with his stinkbug project. He painted his green. Tail bobbed...

Just do a search for Stinkbug you should be able to find the thread that has about 1000 hits.

Joe

Stinkbug

Super Trooper

I have read every thing I could find on these two befor posting this. The rig I used as a example kept the IFS up front. So I was wondering if anyone had built a Isuzu like the example I gave. I would like to kept IFS and see how far it could go if built up proper. Has anyone built up there IFS and I mean more that a craned torsion bar and fliped ball joint or cal arms. I like what this guy done with the frame as well he got a little lift 2", he also moved the IFS forward 6"-9" to kept the tires out of the body tub. If you take the time to read the article then you will see he has done a lot of custom work to build the truck and It works well with IFS. I have a ton of toyota stuff in the garage and could do a sas if needed but I don't feel that it is needed for this rig.

edit: I really like what stink bug has done to his rigs. that guy has the skills no doubt. the bug is my all time rig to copy with a Isuzu if i wanted to do a sas. I mean no disrespect to either rig <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Personally I don't see the point. I don't know how different the Suzuki IFS is to Isuzu, but to move our IFS foward would be no small task. I can't see going to all that effort to retain the factory suspension when a SAS would probably be less work for more benifit.

Not trying to shoot down your ideas, but I don't think I'ver ever seen something like that done with an Isuzu.

Someone has to be the first.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />Andre

The answer is... not nearly as a far as a SAS. (and I'm talking purely performance, cost not a factor).

case in point: Its not Isuzu specific, but a while back Walker Evans sat out to build from scratch the ultimate IFS buggy for competition rock crawling. I don't have to tell you he has far more resources and money to put at the thing than any of us do with our Zu's. The net result was a spaceage, long travel IFS design and high dollar Posche 911 CVs. How'd it fair in competition crawling? well, his buggy now sports solid axles if that says anything.

This case is more extreme than what any of us do, but you said "if built properly"... so here's a guy with virutally unlimited resources that did "build it properly" and in the end, choose to throw it all away for a pair of solid axles.

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my best advice: only pursue a monster IFS if you get your enjoyment from the fabrication process (and have money to spare). If you want the most bang for the buck, best offroad performance, and most versitale setup, you need to be looking at a SAS.

-Rob

Well, one thing is for certain, this isn't the first time an ultimate IFS Isuzu have been thought of... and I'm sure it won't be the last.

So all I'm saying is it isn't the lack of imagination and know-how that hasn't brought this to fruition yet, perhaps something else... just make sure to think about it.


-Rob

I agree it would be simple to do a sas. I have a front stright axle samie on 38.5 sx. It is fun and does well. I just wanted to do a IFS with a little more than a torsion bar lift. I am going to try it. I just thought if someone had alread been a pioneer then I would have a path already taken. Then they would know some of the pit falls. I do not want to run any thing biger the 35" max and with minimal lift. (Truth is I am looking at a 33" pit bull crawler)The frame cut and weld will only net about 3" but with it moved forward will allow for a biger tire.

If you really want to know how diff the set ups are then read the links I posted in the beginning of the thread. I do realize that we have t-bars to deal with. and either convert to coil spring fronts, or alter the t-bar length / mounts.

have you seen the Thailand kit?
http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm?id=114&Isuzu_IFS_Lift

and then there was this guy who built is own (thats my site not my work, i just held onto a few picts from ebay)

dropping the housing to fit larger tires is one thing, but i'm not aware of anyone who's done anything about the weak Isuzu IFS axle/CVs, or who's attempted to increase the travel of the IFS.

-Rob

Those guys did an interesting budget build, but it would not fit the needs of a lot of people. The cutting and rewelding of the frame is pretty sketchy and makes it a trail only vehicle. Then they used a custom $600 axle housing, and some custom kit to adapt Toyota cvs. I suspect the cost of their buildup was not much less, or equal to a mild SAS.

So whats the point of keeping IFS, when it costs the same as SAS, you don't have a better ride, the axles are weaker, and doesn't perform as well on the trail? (they admitted it doesn't do well on the rti ramp)

If you want 33s or 35s on Isuzu ifs, you can do that without any custom engineering. I fit 35s on mine with 2" tbar crank and 3" body lift. And with a 1.5" diff drop, the cvs are almost as strong as stock. Btw, you have bigger fenders than mine, first gen amigos can fit 32x11.50 stock.

If you want to do all the body work, bobbing the front and rear, etc. Thats not so difficult, but an amigo is pretty small already. I don't see those body parts really being in the way, so it seems like there are more disadvantages than advantages.

I think Rob said it best:

"only pursue a monster IFS if you get your enjoyment from the fabrication process (and have money to spare). If you want the most bang for the buck, best offroad performance, and most versitale setup, you need to be looking at a SAS."