Quigley vs. SMB 4WD conversions

[ntsqd]

If this is from the latest model IFS, they have very wimpy tie rods. The center link end attachment of the tie rod is very similar to that used on a rack & pinion, and not a whole hell of a lot bigger! The tie rods themselves are bar stock of less than 1" OD. Don't recall exactly, but I'd guesstimate them to be about 11/16" OD

On my friend Rod's D-Max we built a new center link and used the common to rock crawlers GM TRE's to build new tie rods. I was never happy with the way the steering felt, but I was the only one. Rod liked the way it changed the steering, so I was OK with that.
This mod moved inner pivot location and required the building of a second idler arm in the center, with it's pivots on the underside to offset the eccentric loading of the TRE's. Without that second idler the centerlink could rotate fore/aft on it's ball pivots.

 

[ujoint]

You're not the only one that hates GM IFS steering....... I've been curious about the late model 4wd GM vans for a while, but haven't seen many on the road. I haven't seen anyone modify them, and I can't say I know anyone that even has one.

The Dynatrac axles use thicker tubes, and the center section is stronger than any factory casting. Plus, you get the piece of mind that you have a brand new axle. I've built used axles, and bought quite a few Dynatrac 60's, and the cost winds up being pretty close (if you replace everything in the used axle). I'd guess, within 1000-1200 bucks. Also, if there needs to be any special mods made to the used axle (like a pinion rotation, perches moved) that difference disappears, the Dynatrac axle is well worth it.

 

[Photog]

Info from Quigley, on the GM IFS van-conversion steering-linkage:

"There is good news. GM has remedied this (steering linkage) issue in the 2008 model year G-Vans. GM (now) uses a "King Pin" style pivot, only a side to side range of motion which gives you both "stiffer" steering and a faster steering response. If you are looking at 2007 and earlier model year there is still good news. There is now a Moog replacement kit for both the Idler Arm and Steering Linkage Ends, it does not use the "Ball Joint" style. Or you could have the Idler Arm and Steering Linkage Ends updated to the 2008 setup."

 

[ujoint]

Is that steering news about the factory GM "AWD" van, or a Quigley converted van?

 

[Photog]

Is that steering news about the factory GM "AWD" van, or a Quigley converted van?

It is in reference to the Quigley 4X4 IFS converted vans. They use the steering linkage that comes with the van, and through 2007, it has used ball joint connections.

It looks like there are Moog replacement parts, or the new 2008 "king pin" parts will be a direct replacement for the ball joints.

We are looking to get a van in autumn of 2009; so we should not have that ball joint linkage problem.

 

[ujoint]

I wonder what the cost of that IFS conversion is.......

 

[ntsqd]

I'm thinking that you can only get it on GM platforms. They aren't going to offer it for a Ford or a Dodge since those won't have the suspension mounting points in the right places.

 

[Photog]

I'm thinking that you can only get it on GM platforms. They aren't going to offer it for a Ford or a Dodge since those won't have the suspension mounting points in the right places.

I think you are correct. It is all GM parts, from the GM 2500 4X4 truck, plugged into the GM van. But they might have options that are not showing on their website.

 

[deserteagle56]

Winkel GMC in Reno, Nevada had 3 of the Quigley IFS conversions on the lot when I was out shopping a couple months ago. If it weren't for the Quigley emblem a person would be hard pressed to tell they were 4x4 units. But I checked them out and they do have the running gear from a GM 2500, transfer case and all, underneath them. They sit very low to the ground and would be useless off-highway unless someone could fit a lift kit under them. And that aluminum front differential housing has to be a very weak link also.

On the other hand, Quigley also makes these GM vans with a Ford solid-axle front end under them. With a Duramax under the hood I could see myself going for that! Unfortunately, no one seems to have any of those in stock!

 

[1976K5Chalet]

Run away very far from the gm IFS. It sux. I installed the cognito upper arms and double shocks and a host of other gidgets to make her (2006 2500 HD) survive the oilfield work enviroment and it still has issues.

The dmax and the allison have been flawless! So...i'd saw pitch the ifs for a pro rock 60....add the atlas as the gm unit has issues as well...and you would have a very sturdy dependable rig!

DW

 

[ntsqd]

A friend of mine had a 4wd Dmax/Allison truck. His widow essentially gave it away.
At first they went with a high end lift kit (the name of which is currently escaping me). Eventually the demands of driving Baja the way he wanted to do it required moving to 3" coil-overs with hydro-bumps and dumping the T-Bars. And we had to build a new center-link as those puny tie rod ends were not up to the task of controlling the 37" Projects. Once those two things were done and sorted out the truck was a marvel to drive and didn't have any problems.