We've tested every heavy hauler pickup built in the U.S.... and a couple that weren't. Being given that type of experience only helps clinch a grasp on what you'd consider a good or bad idea in modern ingenuity. This is not a bash on automotive engineers, but someone should take a closer look at projects before spending millions for engineers to develop an idea that's just going to be ravaged of its usefulness after the bean counters pick away at the costs of mass producing components.
We're specifically speaking of GM's IFS equipped 3/4- and 1-ton 4X4 trucks. In most cases you'll find a half-ton truck will be produced using some of the 3/4- and 1-ton truck parts to beef up its ability. These trucks are given some label to denote what they are, and why they cost more. Example: 454 SS. GM's decision to develop a truck with both an independent front suspension and four-wheel-drive capabilities was an ambitious undertaking, it just obviously wasn't practical.
For one, the A-arms used on the 1-ton are barely stronger than what is on the half-ton. This opinion may seem biased coming from a publication that features trucks that frequently have big wheels, big tires, or both. But if you've ever been bogged down in Southern mud, better known as red clay, you know the heavier the truck is, the deeper the foot placement on the throttle. Almost every lift kit for these trucks comes with a fix for tie rod ends that bend and break when the Duramax reacts to proper accelerator position.
Beefing up the truck's tie rods is a Band-Aid over the real problem. The GM IFS has a rather large rubber bushing that the mounting bolt goes through. The amount of rubber that encapsulates the mounting tube where the bolt slides through is huge. What happens is when the Duramax puts the torque down, the front tires want to pull forward. This force is multiplied by the length of the A-arm leveraging on the rubber bushings. Unfortunately, two inches of rubber one inch wide can't hold that amount of pressure so it gives way to the enormous force, allowing the A-arms to deflect and rotate forward. The deflection turns the front tires inward, which forces the tie rods to become exposed to the enormous pressure, inherently causing them damage.
So when it came time to build a functional Chevy to debut at the Country Music Festival, the guys at Kelderman Air Ride were called on to workout the details. The techs at Kelderman unbolted the GM IFS and threw it in the garbage! The truck was fitted with their CMA-inspired straight-axle conversion which brought the front suspension up to big-truck standards. With a Dana 60 on board, the newly designed 12-inch Kelderman Air Ride suspension was powder coated, triple nickel and chrome platted. After getting to thrash around in the behemoth, it's clear GM should at least offer a straight axle for the 3/4-ton. Quick Look Chevy 2500 Duramax Four-Door Short Box 4X4
Kelderman Air Ride 12-inch suspension lift featuring a Dana 60 conversion, with chrome trialing arms and bolts.
Air Ride controlled by Accu-Air computerized control systems.
Three programmable ride heights.
Remote control
Air supply from 2 Viair 400c air compressors
AGR steering box and Rock Ram hydraulic steering assist
Tom Wood high angle driveshafts
4.56 gears
Nitto Mud Grapplers 40x15.50x22
Weld Racing Cheyenne 22x10
Bilstein 7100 remote reservoir shocks
PML differential covers
Five Optima Yellow Top batteries. (Two are mounted in the stock location under the hood and the other three are mounted in a custom made battery tray located where the spare tire once sat.)
Ape Wraps custom vinyl graphics
Bushwacker fender flares
Banks Six Gun power module with speed loader and dyna fact gauges
PMT 4-Inch stainless dual exhaust.
Amp Research power steps
APM hood
Kenwood 25th Anniversary XXV-D5V DVD player
KNA -DV4100 navigation
Sirius satellite radio
5 LZ 6500 6.6-inch monitors
4 Kenwood amps
2 KAC X811D sub amps
2 KAC X541 mid/high amps
2 KFR XW1100 DVC subs
8 PR of KRC XR 61p components
KHD C710 10GB Music Keg
All the pods are custom made by Jason Chounlamany A.K.A. Crazy Asian
