Why does IFS give a smoother ride?

Sorry if this has an obvious answer, but it seems that it has just as much momentum as a solid axel and for day to day driving, there shouldn't be much that is effected by the tires rotating a little bit.

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2004 Jeep Liberty 4x4 w/ Manual Transmission
All J Transmission Skid and Boulder Bars, Frankin Lift, Poison Spyder Differential Skid, ARB Air Locker.

http://www.thechucklesstart.com/car/
Never put PowerTrax NoSlip with a Manual KJ.

I don't think it necessarily gives a smoother rides. Even though it is suppose to have less unsprung weight (more momentum as you mentioned) I think that is really based more on spring rates. However, I believe it gives better handling at highway speeds. Why it does, I really don't know. Maybe it has something to do with the wheeling being independent of each other and a disturbance in once doesn't cause one in the other wheel.

For example my parents grand cherokee rides alot smoother than my KJ. Almost like a cadallic. However, it can be a little unsettling driving it over a pretty ruff road with lots of little pot holes and patch work (typical of chicago freeways) at highway speeds, especially while making turns. I driven over this type of stuff in my KJ w/o much incident however in the GC it definitely felt more squirly.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-suspension.htm

Here is an article on how suspensions work. Haven't read it all but you'll probably find your answer. This is an awesome site.

Thanks for the link to the article, the only thing that they mentioned was that it has better control of the camber of the tires.

_________________
2004 Jeep Liberty 4x4 w/ Manual Transmission
All J Transmission Skid and Boulder Bars, Frankin Lift, Poison Spyder Differential Skid, ARB Air Locker.

http://www.thechucklesstart.com/car/
Never put PowerTrax NoSlip with a Manual KJ.

With IFS the front wheels move up and down independantly of each other allowing a bump/dip to be accounted for at the end of the axle that encounters it. This means that the wheels are flat on the road and bump/dip at the same time.

With a solid axle when one wheel hits a bump/dip, because both wheels react together, they both run along their edges. Also because both wheels are 'tied' together, if one wheel bounces then the other has to follow suit.

I hope that makes some sense....... It makes in my head anyway (there again strange things go on in my head )

Ian