twist-a-grip

Did I miss the thread on this? I saw that they might make one with the new body a while back, but didn't expect it so soon. As the article notes, this seems pretty close to production. I had a 2017 and sold it because the 550 motor was lame. However, if they make a 63 squared - I might jump on the new body bandwagon. I'll never sell my 2018, but the 4x4 is a fun truck - I kinda miss the vulgarity of it.


https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...hots-and-video

MikeHoncho

I dont see portal axles there. It looks like a control arm drop like a GM lift. I cant see what the rear axle looks like.

Ersatzs2

Agree, I was about to say the same thing. Those appear to be very large wishbones. When you click through on the article, the picture shows previous generation setup. Hmm. it would be bogus if they called it 'squared' and it was just jacked up independent front suspension...

EDIT: upon closer inspection, to give the benefit of doubt, we could be just seeing much more robust stabilizer links to the lower half of the portal gearbox. hard to say from that angle.

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MikeHoncho

I dont know that you can have portal axles without being a straight axle application. This looks like a "lift kit".

The Butcher

They already make portal kits for the new G. Hummers have been running portals on IFS and IRS since their inception.

The Butcher

Upon further inspection of the pics in that article I'm about 98% sure it's a portal set up. The larger lower control arm looks like it's beefed up to take the added leverage that the portal assembly will put on the control arms, and if you look closely the lower control arm sits just about 1/3 of the height tire. There is no CV axle going to the center of the wheel, so that would indicate a portal is installed. It looks like a sway bar link attached to the lower control arm as well in about the same horizontal location as a CV axle would be runniing if it didn't have portals. I agree the lower control arm is dropped a bit compared to the current set up, but I think that is likely for structural integrity to handle the portal. I'm excited to say the least!

The Butcher

This pic you posted is of the previous Gen Squared.

This pic shows the new one better, and I agree the links we are seeing on the passenger side are likely the sway bar end links. If there was no portal attached you would see the CV in that location.

Ersatzs2

Yep totally agree with your observations. And with your comments about the Hummer. Wow. A G with independent suspension + portals. That's an incredible setup. LIkely the highest form of off-road suspension evolution before we get computer-managed electric motors in each hub!
So... what would y'all pay for the ^2 option? $50K? $100K? $150K?

The Butcher

It will be interesting to see where they price them. The previous generation was roughly $80K-$100K over the non-Squared 550 I think. $235K was roughly the MSRP IIRC. I'm hoping a G63 version wouldn't be much more than $250K.

z168

I think they will certainly have a G63 version this time. The 550 then perhaps was the test bed to see if there is enough interest. I think it will boil down to price points

MikeHoncho

I figured the hubs would be wider, but they can be tucked into the wheels. Cast aluminum control arms?

The Butcher

I was surprised as well that they were able to get the whole package as narrow as they did. Those do look like cast aluminum LCAs. It also kind of looks like their mounting location is maybe a little inboard from where the non-Squared version sits which might help explain how they managed to keep the overall width down while maintaining decent suspension travel.

Ersatzs2

Also: pretty sure that is a LeTech roof rack on top. Very cool to see MB using one on a test mule. If you follow the manual's roof loading guidelines literally, the LeTech itself uses up 2/3s of rated capacity!