so is there any benefit?

[Redneck Youth]

ok, my father and i always talk about the ttb compared to a solid front (like in his 85 dodge 1 ton) and the independent front (like in my brothers 94 toyota pickup) and i'm just wondering if theres any benefit to a ttb over the other 2, i know that it isnt better in many ways but i only need like 1 or 2 benefits to be able to stand my ground... thanks, trying to seem intelligent in front of the fam...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The biggest benefit is ride quality. TTB and TIB (the 2wd version of the axle) tend to be really efficient at soaking up bumps in the road.

In stock form, solid axles tend to flex better - on an RTI ramp because as one side goes up, it forces the other side down. But, TTB axles can be made to flex fairly well.

Basically there are upsides and downsides to both types of axles. I'm sticking with a TTB in my DD (95 F-150) and my choptop. Both are comfortable to drive now that I have the suspension set up the way I want (well, the choptop is undergoing some changes, but it will be tuned). The 4x4 off-road beater I'm planning to build will use a straight axle, mostly just because I have one laying around collecting rust.

FYI, most of the Ford desert race trucks used TTB/TIB suspensions because they were excellent at handling the bumps involved at speed.

 

[adsm08]

TTB is supposed to be a "best of both worlds" kind of thing. It rides and steers smoother over bumps than a solid axle but it is stronger than a fully IFS setup.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't think they ride that much better

I also don't like how they act as a plow in snow and mud.

I will probably stay with it because it is there, but it won't be my favorite part of the truck.

 

[scotts90ranger]

they ride better than a straight axle but not quite as good as SLA (short long arm), and as said above have not quite the suspension travel of a straight axle but a lot better than most SLA suspensions. They are also stronger/simpler than a SLA suspension setup, not near as many pivot points to wear out.

 

[brinker88]

I've had both (an SASd F150) and my TTB ranger. I would drive the ranger over the F150 ANY day hands down altho the ride quality is about the same.

Its just my opinion, but I love my TTB. It does what I need it to and is easy as hell to work on (with practice). A couple good investments (flexy coils, extended rad arms etc) and you've got yourself one hell of a wheeler without any major fabrication.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I don't think they ride that much better

I also don't like how they act as a plow in snow and mud.

I will probably stay with it because it is there, but it won't be my favorite part of the truck.

The one thing that can help improve ride quality is to use a longer radius arm. Bottom line is, the stock arms are a little on the short side for the suspension to properly sop up bumps, but it still works pretty well.

 

[4.0B2]

the main problem with ttb ride quality is when you lift it...and most lift kits have super stiff springs.

basically i'll take a well built ttb over a sas'ed daily driver.
if i'm to build a dedicated trail rig..it'll be sas'ed. but for dd/ww its a ttb.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The one thing that can help improve ride quality is to use a longer radius arm. Bottom line is, the stock arms are a little on the short side for the suspension to properly sop up bumps, but it still works pretty well.

They still ride very much like a truck. For as much as they complicate the suspension I do not feel they justify it with ride quality. The desert racers like the travel they can get... which is a moot point to me because we have no deserts around here.

TTB is a compromise, the 4x4 parts limits what can move how much and where. TIB rides a lot better because it can have longer beams that let the wheels travel in a wider arc, they still ride pretty trucky though.

Oh and that the one pivet bracket is RIGHT under the rear oil pan drain plug on a V8 swap... that is also mildly annoying.

I don't know how many have seen this, I have posted it a couple times on here. Here is my D28 in action:

 

[Hahnsb2]

I don't think they ride that much better

I agree. I think my B2 rides like absolute shit offroad, same goes for a 1st gen explorer a friend owned. As much as I hate XJs (with a passion), they ride like caddies in comparison. The spring rates you find in most TTB setups are just too fawking stiff.

 

[4x4junkie]

Perhaps you guys should put some better springs under your rides.
I've been in XJs... About made my neck sore with each bump compared to my BII (my Ranger doesn't seem that bad either, and it has just regular Skyjacker TTB coils too, though it is also a bit heavier ).

 

[4.0B2]

I agree. I think my B2 rides like absolute shit offroad, same goes for a 1st gen explorer a friend owned. As much as I hate XJs (with a passion), they ride like caddies in comparison. The spring rates you find in most TTB setups are just too fawking stiff.

so throw some XJ coils on a ttb w/ extended arms...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Perhaps you guys should put some better springs under your rides.
I've been in XJs... About made my neck sore with each bump compared to my BII (my Ranger doesn't seem that bad either, and it has just regular Skyjacker TTB coils too, though it is also a bit heavier ).

The parent's '94 Explorer was 110% original or stock replacement parts.

My Ranger had the stock springs for years, as stiff as they were they were sagging so I replaced them with brand new replacement coils for a higher GVW 4.0 Ranger or regular Explorer since my truck is a little more nose heavy than most now, they are what was installed when I made the video.

I don't mind the ride of it, just that I wouldn't consider it a selling feature because I don't think it is that much better than a SA.

I have ridden in a couple jeeps, they are not "holy crap this thing rides like a buckboard compared to my cushy Ranger" different. A little worse, but that could be difference in shocks and such too (which could be why we get differing opinions on the subject) Comparing modified vehicles to stock or even to each other is hard. I am talking stock to stock, I feel that is the only way to fairly compare them.

 

[Hahnsb2]

I'm also talking stock vs stock. I have no doubt XJ springs in a TTB rig would ride pretty nice.

FWIW the worst riding rig I can think of is my buddies stock solid axle Toyota. It's great if you like a compressed spine. But again I think it has way more to do with the springs than the suspension design itself.