Independent rear suspension???

I've seen many people post about a SAS (solid axle suspension) swap, why not an independent rear suspension (IRS) swap? I know many military vehicles like Humvee and some of the older jeeps run an independent rear to give a much higher ground clearance along the center-line of the truck, so why hasn't anyone attempted on the Tacoma? I think their is enough room to do so without losing your bed space. and the amount of welding and work doesn't seem to be much more than that of an SAS. Maybe more expensive?

What would the pros and cons be of an IRS vs a SAS?

Has anyone tried to do one and been successful?

I am thinking about trying to do one within the next 5 years and mainly want opinions and science as to whether it's worth it or not and whether i should or should not attempt.

 

IRS will be more expensive, more complicated, will most likely end up with less payload capacity, tends to be heavier (see what happened to the Mustang), and have less travel than a modified stock configuration.

On top of that you are introducing more failure points into the driveline.

What is the use case for the modification? Better ride? Would be cheaper/easier to get a Ridgeline. Offroading? Stick to the solid rear.

 

Humvees use portals to gain massive ground clearance. Just a few of the disadvantages not already mentioned. More stuff to break. Needs wheels aligned properly.

 

There was at least one guy on here who did it. I'll try to find the build thread.

 

Before going to a weaker platform just to have more clearance, go find some unimog portal axles and sas your taco using those. Unless you plan or using this for something like baja style racing, then the rear independent might be worth exploring.

 

Solo Motorsports built a 2009 w/IRS for SEMA.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-irs-edition.232029/

 

The Ridgeline has IRS

But yeah, swapping in an IRS setup would be a pain in the ass. You'd basically have to rip out the front end of a tacoma, and install it in the back. As if our CVs and boots didn't face enough peril already!

 

Late to the party, but how hard could it really be to fab up a way to bolt on a new Mustang's rear subframe?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-2016-...OEM/283215667083?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144

 

I guess the question is what's the application/justification? If it's just to be different that's fine but you're sacrificing some of the reasons to even buy a truck. I'm sure it's possible to stuff it up under the rear but you'd lose travel, payload capacity, room for spare tire, matching gear ratios for 4x4s, lockers for TRD ORs, etc.

 

Revtek was showing off their 3rd gen IRS conversion at SEMA this year.