why is it that GM makes an HD ... but looks like the base 5.3L 1500 ... turd has their F250HD and F350HD with the big front end and huge stance while the F150 has a sissy stance ... while Dodge has their huge stance on all of their 4X4's ... i think this is one of the things that catches my eyes when im out looking at new trucks ... i have a 6" lift on my 96 and it sits about 2" higher at the bottom of the window compared to a stock dodge/ford ...
yeah... and I wonder why they all use narrow/small tires too... do they just have that much more suspension movement, or do they know most people are gonna end up putting bigger tires/wheels on? the dealers here are always swapping in bigger tires on their "bling corner" trucks but their regular ones always have wimpy setups...
I like the smaller factory size 265's. They look proportionate to the wheelwells. I don't like big tires.
The new F150 sits up there pretty good. With just a 2" spacer in the front coil spring you can fit 35" tires (with minor fender trimming). GM seems to be going after a car-like ride quality. I guess that means they also want car-like ride height.
Anyone ever here of a concept called "center of gravity" (CoG)? Low CoG helps performance in every way. Less body lean while turning, emergency maneuvers, response to changing road conditions like dips and whoops, brake pitch, all that is better with a lower CoG. That's why you don't see "old school" off-road trucks anymore except in the mud bog crowd. My "hard core" (though apparently semi-retired) off road buggy (truggy for those that know what that means) runs absolute minimum lift (4" lift running 42" tires). There is also a concept known as (IIRC) "wind profile" The larger the surface your pushing through the air, the more HP and fuel that is wasted to achieve and maintain the same speed. Should all that be sacrificed for the “hay, look at me” crowd? Just so it can “have a higher profile” and “look tough”? I don’t think so… Then again, I did like it MUCH better back in ’01 and ’02 when they had the “power bulge” hoods harkening back to the 71/72 Chevy hoods. It set the HDs apart and gave them a somewhat more bold look without affecting CoG or wind profile in any appreciable way.
And what is it with you guys and the negative connotations on handling or ride? Would it make you feel more like a man to use a gapped straight razor and no shaving cream? If you don't like progress, go back and get yourself a 1 ton from the 70s or something. Enjoy the rattles, wind leaks, buck-board ride, awful seats, and smile while going down the road enjoying something that "feels like a real truck". I like the modern quieter, better handling, better riding, and over all more comfy trucks...
point very well taken ... i still think it needs a little bit more agressive look to it ... it is a 4x4 :stir:
I agree with you hayaboosta. They could at least put 265's on the truck. Truck still rides the same and preforms the same with 265's as 245's. But looks alot better.waytogo
to answer the original question, IFS. GM's HD has it, Dodge and Ford have solid front axles. If they weren't as tall you're front diff would hit the engine. GM went low because it could.
Well, yeah... CoG and wind resistance are a point... but why the hell the huge wheelwells and then put plastic flares on them to make 'em look bigger? I love the comfort of newer trucks, plus the ability to hit a dip in the road and everything in the bed not hit the back of the cab when you bottom out and bounce back up. I don't really see a "need" for bigger tires, especially on a drw truck. putting 6 tires on at a time is expensive enough, much less adding 2 more at $200+. I'm just wondering if they really "need" all that much travel in the wheel area?
Yeah I agree with the fact that the HD GM's sit a little too low compared to the rest. And in my opinion, you don't buy a 3/4 or 1 ton for ride quality. They should be stiffer and rougher riding than a 1/2 because they're built to haul stuff. You can always upgrade an older rig with new springs or like I did, a new seat.
I'll agree on the huge wheel wells looking odd. But, on the up side, it let me install 33" tires (285/75-16) with no lift at all, which in turn let me lower my highway rpms to a better level when running on the 75-85mph interstates out west. Nice side effect was that it now looks better proportioned (IMO at least, and that's all that matters since it's my truck ).
Ya I'm with you BadDog and I have an 05 so I got the bulge in the hood too imp: somewhat like the older HD trucks. I agree the 245s are on the small side...but as for me lifting my towrig...naaa I think I will pass..my trail rig has all the "real 4x4" look I need...functionality should allways outweigh the :look at me: factor waytogo
Why wouldn't you want ride quality? As long as it does not hurt reliability and capability, why would anyone WANT to have the fillings jarred out of their teeth just driving down the road? As I've said before, my current HD will out-haul and out tow any comparable truck I've ever owned, including the ones that were so noisy I couldn't carry on a conversation at a decent level and skittered all over wash-board roads due to super stiff suspension. And they couldn't haul any more than I can haul now. And the new HDs ARE stiffer than the 1/2 tons by far. I just hauled home 1500 lbs of steel in the back on mine, and seriously considered LEAVING it in there becuase it leveled it out (no squat) and road so much better. <shrug> I also prefer my modern tripple blade floating head razor and shaving cream to an old gapped straight razor used dry. I guess I'm just a wuss...
Nah, I decided to get out my grandfathers old single edge because I prefer my razor to FEEL like a razor should feel. A razor should leave my face stinging and have a high probability of at least one nick. Otherwise, I just don't feel like it works. And even though my 3 (or 4 or 12, take your pick) razor produces a distinctly smoother shave in less time with less discomfort or chance of permanent scarring, it just doesn’t make me FEEL like I have a REAL shave, or FEEL like a REAL man… rotfl
Absolutely... :stir: rotfl Or you can follow the wisdom of the trucking (self proclaimed) web elite and be a real man by choosing a noisier, rougher riding truck that offers only debatable benefits to go along with your straight razor just because it "sounds/rides like a truck is supposed to sound/ride". I guess it all comes down to what defines (or what you use to define) your manhood. For me, it's not my truck or method of shaving, but for others... maybe it's different... oke:
