Suddenly it’s…1986, or so, with two vintage vehicles in the driveway. The Tercel wagon is clearly the FWD version. But I can’t tell if the Comanche is RWD or 4WD. The RWD version must have been the last RWD pickup with a solid front axle.
More:
Driveway Outtake: Jeep Comanche and Tercel Wagon – Are They Both Non-AWD?
– Posted on April 9, 2021
The 2wd solid axle varient (and the turbo diesel option) were planned from the start of the XJ platform, even though they were actually released long after the original 4×4 models. My 1984 factory service manual included 2wd service procedures well before the models were sold.
A solid axle for 2wd was outdated in the 1930s. Obviously AMC included one to reduce retail prices but couldn’t afford to provide an IFS system. Too bad, a lost opportunity
We had a 2WD Commanche long bed as a delivery vehicle at an auto parts store I worked at. It was a great choice for that job. Another employee ignored a warning signs and blew the engine (2.5 4 cylinder) at about 150K.
Enough of that and to your point. The solid front axle wasn’t done to reduce retail prices. By using a solid axle, AMC could avoid the development costs of IFS. The solid axle could used the same mounting points as the 4WD axle, making production much easier ( and less costly).
“The solid front axle wasn’t done to reduce retail prices. By using a solid axle, AMC could avoid the development costs of IFS. The solid axle could used the same mounting points as the 4WD axle, making production much easier ( and less costly).”
Hmm, seems like from your explanation it was done to reduce the retail price they needed to charge to make a profit on a 2wd version.
The 2wd version was what marketing people call a “line extension ” a variation of an existing product intended to broaden its appeal.
In this case the 2wd version had a lower retail price and appealed to people unwilling to pay for the cost and complexity of the four wheel drive system. The 2wd design was held back at first introductionfor model year 1984, allowing AMC to make money on their core 4wd models before muddling their image with cheaper 2wd versions.
These trucks in 2wd solid axle form were very competitive in the short-lived SCCA SportTruck road racing series in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, winning the championship one year. Of course, the solid axle may have benefited camber control with the mostly stock trucks on smooth road courses. On the other hand, a Twin I Beam Ford Ranger also won the championship one year; the other champion was the more conventional suspended Nissan Hardbody.
Actually Chrysler used a straight axle on the 2wd 3500 pickups until the early 00’s. It was just like the set up in the Comanchee/Cherokee in that it is the 4wd stuff but w/o a differential in the middle of the tube. There are little dummy axle shafts to fill the holes where they would go on a 4wd.
Yes, Chrysler bought the design when they bought AMC, and put it to good use. Unfortunately I read it sometimes suffers from the same Death Wobble flaws as the Jeep XJs and Comanches
The track bar is a wear item and yeah the trucks can get scary to drive when they are worn. In extreme cases of wear you can watch the body of the truck move relative to the axle as you turn the steering wheel back and forth.
Not just the track bar, the control arm bushings also contribute to Death Wobble. One can, as happened to me, have a new track bar but still have an uncontrollable bouncing front end due to those bushings.
I’m a Jeep fan but imho, that link suspension design is inherently flawed, the center of rotation is located behind the center of pressure. It’s like a reversed shopping cart caster, always looking for an opportunity to spin around.
I think that was just on the cab and chassis 3500’s.
Dodge/Ram did have IFS on their 2wd 2500/3500 trucks from the early 80’s until about 2013.
The RAM 2003-2012 2wd 2500/3500 trucks had an excellent IFS with rack and pinion steering.
This made for an excellent steering and handling 2wd HD truck with a much lower ride height than the 4wd trucks.
I have a 2004 2wd 2500 Ram Cummins diesel.
Unfortunately, starting about 2013, the RAM 2wd 2500/3500 trucks went to a solid front axle.
Identical front suspension as the 4wd trucks. Empty tube solid front axle and back to recirculation ball steering.
Nearly identical ride height to the 4wd trucks.
Totally lame setup, no one is buying these.
My neighbor and friend across the street had a FWD Tercel wagon when these were new. It was a very practical car, sharing the raised roof, squared-off rear doors, and oversize rear quarter windows with skylights with the 4WD version, leading to a very roomy interior despite the longitudal engine orientation. Like the car here, it had toned-down graphics, grilles, and upholstery compared to the 4WD variant.
Tercels with that styling were AWD here.
Anyone else recall Tercels with that rear ended styling being called “MAC machines”?