I’m passionate about helping the 4wd community and I'm developing an online course so i can help as many people as I can to get out there and wheel well on their 4wd adventures. To register your interest and for free and exclusive training videos visit madmatt4wd.com.au/register

The second I seen this man barefoot in the woods making his KZfaq video i just want to listen to what he has to say lol

This video has to be the best suspension comparison video I have seen. I loved and learned so much thanks. 👍👍

If I were an offroader, I would likely prefer a solid axle for its added strength and reliability. Great channel. Subbed.

Great idea to create such a channel. Many talk only about rigging it up, and 4wd are becoming more and more popular, but actually not many do grow a genuine knowledge along. This channel really adds to the 4wd community.

This seriously was an absolutely great video. On so many levels.

Solid axle everyday of the week. My Suzuki Sierra is 25 years old and has been off road all around Australia with not one axle issue. Great topic Matt 👍

Such a good point about when you hit a bump how the solid axle keeps the same clearance

I just found your channel today, and I love the way you position the vehicles between action shots! Great information too!

Thank you so much! have been looking everywhere for the answer to the question posed at start of video

That is the best break down I’ve ever seen. You make valid points. I’ve been a veteran for many years and can honestly say your knowledge and explanation is amazing. Well done sir.

Great explanation, i was scratching my head as to why the ineos Grenadier had chosen solid beam suspension. Now i understand more about the two systems

Love how you explain it rather than going the long way round like most mad matt is on point right from the start you make learning a breeze

Watched this AGAIN. LOVED LOVED LOVED it. WELL done Matt. 10+/10 !!!

I run independent front suspension and solid rear diff in my 4wd and I love it. I don’t do stupid tracks. I hit ruts and sand but lots of gravel, I tow my camper trailer a lot and other trailers. My car handles it fine. I’ve got no need for a solid front diff.

BRILLIANT, just BRILLIANT. Thank You. I learnt a LOT.

I love doing technical wheeling, rock crawls and the like, definitely solid axles the best way to go. Awesome video. Very well stated.

Excellent video Matt. I totally agree with your comparison and your opinion.

Excellent explanations sir, this video answered all of my questions. Thanks 👍

Fantastic video! Really filled in a lot of gaps for me. Most of my off road is hunting here in Wyoming in my 1500 Silverado 4x4, which has independent front suspension.

i love the way you explained the whole comparison. simply......NICE. 👌👌

Sweet spot. Will have too visit Thanks for giving us the ups and downs of the IFS. Glad you didn’t drop your laptop Keep up the good work Matt.

Congratulations Matt. Another well explained video. Well done.

Great video Matt. Really explains it well.

Always wondered about this so thanks for this simple explanation,

Really a comprehensive analysis! A traction comparison on crawling may be interesting too !

Thanks for the video, Matt! Great explanation! I have a Jeep XJ with solid axles front and rear and I love how it works both on and off road. Yes, it's a bit "trucky" driving it on smoothly paved roads, but it's really nice off the roads because of that constant ground clearance. It's pretty much impossible for me to hit the bottom of the vehicle on the ground if the axle doesn't hit it first (barring some weird breakover situation). Also, the Dana 30 and 44 front axle in the Jeeps does not have CV joints at the ends (in the XJ and the Wranglers - not so with the Grand Cherokees). They have standard U-joints at the steering ends of the axles. This does require some additional lube and care, but generally, they are stronger than CV joints of similar size. I love watching your channel and was thrilled to see you work with Matt's Offroad Recovery earlier this year! Stay safe! Keep the shiny side up! Cheers!

That B roll in the video is really great and proves the points you made!

Got a Swb mk2 pajero and have had zero problems with suspension. Granted,,it’s all been unrated with Old man emu and Arb front and rear diff locks,,but still,,,before all this,,it was fantastic off road! I do love this channel and all the advice and trucks on here. Great little community of like minded people,,in it for the love of it!!!👍👍👍

Another excellent video. Keep up this level of content and it will continue to be addictive and make me down tools whenever a new one comes up haha.

👍👍 you are absolutely correct. time to change for a solid. thanks for the info ,mate

Love the segment mate no matter how many times something like this is explained it's still good knowledge to know even with the new cars and all the technology that comes with it nothing wrong with a refresha

Nice video, a real school for all. Regards and best wishes from Copiapó, Chile.

This seemed like a very unbiased comparison Thank you!

Great informative video. Keep up the good work

Update:. Excellent comparison 👍👍

Great coverage of the topic Matt. Lets us make an informed decision to match our requirements - as you point out. Thanks.

thank you this is very valuable advice

Thanks for the info!

Love your videos, great information.

thank you for detail video Isuzu truck nps75 have all sold axe with leaf suspension front and rear 4x4 crew cab

Absolutely fantastic but realistic explanation.

Great support in the background from the kookaburras...

Yep, totally on board with that Matt. I run the LR Discovery 3 which runs on Air. Woooosh, 👍😀🇦🇺

Excellent explanation Matt!! Thank you for sharing! BTW - Found your channel after viewing your partner video with Matt's Off-Road Recovery! Keep up the great work!

I appreciate your effort to not offend the mall crawler crowd, what we call IFS in the US, but serious off-roaders here avoid it completely.

Spot on. Ifs is popular because of ease of entry. But a solid-axle is far superior and stronger.

That was a great explanation!

Congratulations! For almost the first time in any off-road articles or videos that I've seen, you accurately described the ground clearance issues with an IFS. I own 4WDs with IFS and SFA suspensions. For hard off-road use, I greatly prefer an SFA front suspension. Sadly, here in states, the only new vehicles available with SFA are heavy duty pickups and the Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator. Sadly, the Jeeps have some pretty serious reliability issues aside from the SFA.

My prefence is solid front axle and my daily is an LN106 HiLux, so leaf springs and solid axles all around. However, I have driven a few other LN series IFS Hilux variants both on and off road and have noted the following differences: Having the diff tucked up out of the way and a bashplate under it on the IFS means the front end is more likely to slide across the ground rather than plow into it like a solid axle's pumpin does when you bottom out The solid axle version stays more level when crossing ruts at an angle as the extra travel and effect on the opposite wheel means one side doesn't drop in as much as an IFS one would Ride and handling isn't great on either variant, though the IFS versions do corner better as they an anti rollbar in addition to any benefits the IFS gives Wheel alignment is more easily adjusted on the IFS versions, so tends to be easier to knock out of whack, where it is more set and forget on a solid axle... Overall capability is determined more by other factors such as tyres and lockers in many situations... On a general note, I've also noticed that solid axles have a certain amount of passive steering inherent to the design, as the movement of the shackles on a leaf spring system, or the radius arms or equivalent on a coil system, pull the wheel back or forward depending on what point they are at in their range of travel....on IFS this variance is in camber, which in general seems to be more manageable in terms of handling....

I switched from a solid axle to IFS. While I don't regret it for other reasons, I'd prefer to have the solid axle back disregarding all else. I switched from a Jeep XJ to a Toyota Tacoma. The only things I really miss from the driving experience are the solid axle and a real shifter for the transfer case. I have always been envious of the Toyota selection (or 4WD selection in general even) the rest of the world outside of North America gets.

Looking forward to this! My'18 RAM 1500 is ifs. Never had issues, just pick better lines 👍👍 Lake Havasu-

Pretty good explanation. What I thought but I’ll stick with what I’ve got. Cheers Matt

I think you've nailed it for the most part. My Chev Silverado 3500 has IFS in the front and I have a 4.5" lift. However, the CVs still sit perfectly level/flat at rest due to the BDS kit incorporating a full diff drop of 4.5" too. Same thing with my previous vehicle; a 2006 100 Series 1HD-FTE, in which I had a 3" lift with diff drop to keep the geometry just right. My days of hard wheelin' are behind me and at 65 I'm looking for more comfort and power than offroad capability. Like you said....horses for courses.

Really good explanation. I had most of that in my head previously. But it’s helpful to have it confirmed by an expert 👍. Our MU-X is ute based, IFS front, solid rear. Not perfect, but it came out on top for our requirements. One of these was we could buy it via lease. Right now there are very limited options for solid front from new (or near new). Our plan right now is the minimum to go 95% of places. Quality off-road AT tyres, snorkel, bash plates, recovery points and gear, hand winch, roof rack and recovery boards. We are also considering a $600 front auto-locker. We’ve actually done quite a bit of off-roading with a stock setup. So long as the tracks are dry and the tyres low it’s been awesome 😀 With careful driving and track selection, we feel we can avoid the following, at least initially: Bull bar, rock sliders, electric winch, suspension lift, engine mods. Interested to hear experienced thoughts.

thank you for the video,I like the solid axel too.

"So let's sit in the middle of a creek with a $5000 laptop, shall we?" Almost blew my mouthful of beer all over the keyboard with that one! As an IT asset manager, I was clenched the entire video! Nicely done, lots of very good information - thank you!

My 1988 Hilux is independent, it works fine out in the California Desert, I don't do extreme rock crawling.... Excellent video, thank you

Great video! Only thing I think that wasn't mentioned but is more for the serious off roader is that the solid axle in the front greatly benefits from a locker since it's far easier for a wheel to come off the ground vs an ifs where as the ifs doesn't benefit much from it and it'd only add more stress on the cv joints

Matt... A very fair assessment of a solid axle and an IFS. I agree totally with your pros/cons points made. Well done! My PowerWagon, with its proprietary "Articulink" solid front and rear axles, breaks the basic concept that this type of suspension system is less comfortable on and off-road. The PowerWagon completely rides like a Lexus on the highway and is very smooth when riding at faster speeds on corrugations off-road. My Jeep JK and TJ coil sprung solid axle vehicles are more representative of a rougher ride on the highway than an IFS vehicle.

I wheel a long travel Xterra (think of it as a cheaper cousin to the Patrol in the US and it has IFS/Solid rear) and it's been fine for me but now I'm moving on to an 80series LC and I agree with your points. The IFS handles better on road and has more comfort but I've broken multiple IFS pieces offroad. Reliability is important to me and that generally is where a solid axle shines.

Great video as always Matt I must say I currently have a 2013 dmax with all the usual fruit and it's on 33s and it's my daily. It's also my first 4wd I've evey owned and after 6 years of going off road and finding what I do and don't like. I've decided to come over to a 105 series landcruiser so I can do more of that slow flexie 4wding witch I really like and the simplicity of the soild axle is very intuitive too me I'll keep the dmax for on road and family camping and the 105 series landcruiser will be the weekend weapon I'm actually picking it up on Wednesday next week

Love seeing the air intake placed high enough to ensure that the driver drowns before the vehicle.

Good comparo, that background noise was entertaining though! Aus is wild!

Look up: Dana 44 TTB IFS LSD front axle drives through all terrains with 33" tires.

I own a 105, owned a troopy, spent a lot of time in other live axle 4wd's, on a recent trip i jumped into a D40 navara and was shocked at how much more comfortable it was at speed over the rough stuff.

thanks I was wondering the difference.

I like how you don't talk too much. Someone should tell youtubers that the more they speak the harder they are to understand. Well done si

Great video! I think if you are 70% city and 30% offroad go IFS. If the opposite go solid axles.

I’ve been to TJ’s a couple of times now, my 80 series loves it. When going off road, your not looking for comfort, your looking for the ability. I’d like to see comparison in the 100 series with live and independent suspension on the tracks but having same springs and shocks.

Awesome content as always Matt! My 2c from IFS experience. In terms of KUN Hilux and PX Ranger vehicles the genuine CV’s are stronger and more reliable then their aftermarket counterparts. I use genuine 2nd hand CV’s from all four x 4. Many people have had a hard time with aftermarket CV’s. A good quality diff drop will help with re-aligning geometry and de-stressing CV’s with a lift. But let’s be honest solid axle is king anything else is a compromise 😉

Great Video MadMatt!! I daily drive my 1985 Toyota 4runner Sr5 5 speed on 35's with 5:29 gearing front and rear, rear brakes converted from drum to discs. and have been using ethanol free gasoline and it 'gets 23mpg. unbelievable to why ethanol is even being used!!

Solid axle any day of the week, cv's are too delicate for where I go. Been there and won't go back.

I also can’t visit the dealership because i bought it from a car importer here in the Philippines and they just won’t service cars bought from overseas. Thanks Matt! 🙏🏼

Live axle is better for low speed off road. IFS is better for high speed off road. Obviously upgrades can be made for both, but that’s pretty much the basic rule.

I own a 2002 Gen 3 NM Pajero, this is the first of the IFS/IRS range with the Gen 1 & 2 being Solid rear with IFS and the Gen 3 & 4 being Independent all around. Personally I love the Pajero for its ride and handling both on and off road. I dont do large ruts and hill climbs but am not afraid to put a wheel in the air. Also I dont drive flat out at harder obstacles although there have been times Ive hit a wash out across a road a bit too hard. So far all Ive had to do suspension wise is replace the shocks and springs because they were old and worn, it is an 18 year old 4x4 after all. Ive had no issues with CV joints or any other part of my suspension/axel set up. I do have repairs to do on my power steering and have had to replace hubs but again it is an 18 year old 4x4 and it has been used as a 4x4 through mud, sand, dirt etc.

Dealing with this now. IFS on my truck, which I thought was plenty strong enough for my relatively light use, but now I've got a bent control arm and damned if I know how or when it happened.

Had an interesting experience with a 200 series owner towing a 2.5 ton caravan. He said that his previous 3 Pajeros towed better than the 200, obviously ignoring the power/torque difference. He added that the Pajero rig was much more stable under normal driving conditions and was not referring to off road conditions.

I wish I was aware of IFS and solid axel 4wd before purchasing my 1st 4wd. I ended up getting a NP Pajero which is IFS front and rear. I now relizes for the type of 4wd I like a solid axel 4wd would be ideal. My Pajero now has a 2 inch lift 33s and an Xrox bar. Am keen to do more testing on some tough tracks to see how it goes but thinking of selling to purchase a solid axel. Seems they will be a thing of the past..

Canadian here, any of you Aussies run long travel kits on your ifs trucks? Lots of fun at high speeds but you can keep 4x4 by getting extended cv axles, and control arms which improves your angles.

Thanks Matt, another good vid. To be fair I've never heard of anyone hitting the bash plate while travelling at speed in an IFS vehicle. Rock climbing maybe, but while driving? Never heard of it happening. I think the consumer needs to weigh up a more comfort ride verses less likely to break something while doing tough tracks. That should come down to how often you wheel

Awesome content and presentation as always Matt.. how do u like ur 105 vs the old 80 ?

I bought my 93 Yota pickup 14 years ago. I needed a pickup for work and I knew Toyota had a good reputation. The IFS is very nice for all the freeway driving I've done over the years. However, anytime I have to cross a ditch or wash diagonally, the IFS flexes out and I'm left teetering with no drive. I cured this by installing a rear air locker, but I've watched stock Jeep Cherokees drive through the same obstacles with no issue. So, like you said, solid axles are the way to go if you're doing anything more than a dirt mountain road.

Interesting.

Some crazy sounding animals there

I own two 4WDs, an 80 series Landcruiser and an IFS Hilux, both have mild suspension upgrades, and I can say without a doubt that the live axle Landcruiser is a far more capable vehicle on bad gravel roads and going slow through difficult obstacles. The IFS is a compromise, there is no compromise with coil sprung live axle vehicles. The Hilux is still a great vehicle, I just cant expect it to keep up with the Landcruiser.

Could you do a comparison of independent geared hubs like in military humvees and portal axles like in unimogs?

For hard core off-roading solid axle is always the way to go for strength and reliability. For high speed bumps and stuff, prerunner style independent takes the bumps better.

Great video, ifs good if you like lifting wheels....

I have a Tacoma Off Road in the US. Would be cool if we had the option to select a solid front axle. Guess it would just cost too much to manufacture two different lines of vehicles.

The most obvious direct comparison would be between a standard 100 series vs a standard 105 series.....the thing I love about the 105 is it's essentially a continuation of the awesome 80 series.....yeah I'm biased because I have an 80 😊

Nice office m8

If you want a Wrangler with independent suspension, get the Cherokee Trailhawk. There aren't that many fully independent suspension vehicles with a locker. I can barely think of any that aren't range Rover.

Wild to think that the center of the vehicle compresses due to the independent suspension.

was interested in switching to a solid axel for my 87 Bronco, but now thinking the Twin Traction Beam suspension could be the best of both worlds?

It also depends on your budget and how much you intend using it for everyday driving.

Any advise why my new 70 series with solid axle keeps on pulling right, my only upgrade is a koni havy track suspension. I’m driving a vdj79. We tried tire pressure, and a lot of visits to the wheel alignment center, but just couldn’t figure it out. The tires are basically not also the problem since we tried to swap it already from other sides. Thanks Matt! Love your videos

I love my solid axle 105 too but saying that the 200 series with ifs is pretty nice to drive too maybe I could have both 🤔

Comfort also comes back to wheel base. What rides better? Your 105 Landcruiser or Suzuki Jimny ? Both live axle

Thoughts on TTB? Thats what I decided on for my build. I might be biased but seems to me it has most of the advantages of both IFS and solid axle ;) . And if you endup with dana 50 ttb out of a 3/4 ton truck, but on coils....