2BACJ
SS
- Location
- Kaysville, UT
There is something that bothers me about the trends that SUVs have been following recently. It comes down to three things that are troubling.
1. Independant rear suspension. More and more suvs are going IRS. Just last night, I was glancing a consumer reports magazine at my buddies house. Now, I know consumer reports means jack to most of us here, but many people who don't know anything about a vehicle read it and judge vehicles by what consumer reports or other rating-type magazines have to say about them. Anyways, they were talking about the new Ford explorer. They were saying how it was so refined, smooth, and well layed out. And then it got to the IRS part. I quote "a welcome improvement that improves ride quality and handling substantially over other SUVs on the market." If that wasn't enough, I got to my favorite SUV, the Toyota 4runner. What they said will trouble my mind forever. They said that the runner was an elderly SUV, with a jittery truck like ride in need of some improvements. They continued to bash on the runner, which is still a cabable, true SUV. IRS, it's coming to the SUV world headstrong.
2. Unitary Frame Construction. Many SUVs are now leaving the separate body and chassis design, and switching to the Unitary construction. The new Range Rover coming out, has done a full on switch from seperate frame and live axles, to Fully independant suspension and the Unitary subframe design. Talk about a 180 degree turn. I was also reading my 50 years of Detroit book, and there is a concept vehicle in it that would possibly replace the TJ. It has fully independant suspension, and a unitary chassis. It is called the Icon. No more swapping bodies onto different frames, as well as other draw backs.
3. Transfer cases. Many SUVs don't have two speed t-cases any more. And more and more, these tcases are becoming electronically or computer operated, unlike the traditional gear or chain operated tcases.
I don't know what you all think, but these three things bother me. What are we going to hack and modify with in the future? It just bugs me that several years down the road, is that everything could basically be a big, all wheel drive car, that handles better on wet roads or light wheeling, but won't be able to handle much more than that when it comes to offroad. I just hope that manufacturers will still build real 4X4's for people that want a capable off the lot machine, and then build the grocery wagons for those who only care about having all wheel drive and a soft cushy ride. But, what do I know? What do you guys think will be in store for our future 4X4s?
1. Independant rear suspension. More and more suvs are going IRS. Just last night, I was glancing a consumer reports magazine at my buddies house. Now, I know consumer reports means jack to most of us here, but many people who don't know anything about a vehicle read it and judge vehicles by what consumer reports or other rating-type magazines have to say about them. Anyways, they were talking about the new Ford explorer. They were saying how it was so refined, smooth, and well layed out. And then it got to the IRS part. I quote "a welcome improvement that improves ride quality and handling substantially over other SUVs on the market." If that wasn't enough, I got to my favorite SUV, the Toyota 4runner. What they said will trouble my mind forever. They said that the runner was an elderly SUV, with a jittery truck like ride in need of some improvements. They continued to bash on the runner, which is still a cabable, true SUV. IRS, it's coming to the SUV world headstrong.
2. Unitary Frame Construction. Many SUVs are now leaving the separate body and chassis design, and switching to the Unitary construction. The new Range Rover coming out, has done a full on switch from seperate frame and live axles, to Fully independant suspension and the Unitary subframe design. Talk about a 180 degree turn. I was also reading my 50 years of Detroit book, and there is a concept vehicle in it that would possibly replace the TJ. It has fully independant suspension, and a unitary chassis. It is called the Icon. No more swapping bodies onto different frames, as well as other draw backs.
3. Transfer cases. Many SUVs don't have two speed t-cases any more. And more and more, these tcases are becoming electronically or computer operated, unlike the traditional gear or chain operated tcases.
I don't know what you all think, but these three things bother me. What are we going to hack and modify with in the future? It just bugs me that several years down the road, is that everything could basically be a big, all wheel drive car, that handles better on wet roads or light wheeling, but won't be able to handle much more than that when it comes to offroad. I just hope that manufacturers will still build real 4X4's for people that want a capable off the lot machine, and then build the grocery wagons for those who only care about having all wheel drive and a soft cushy ride. But, what do I know? What do you guys think will be in store for our future 4X4s?
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