I'm in the process of getting a willys truck on a K5 blazer running gear.  The previous owner used it for mud drags and it has 8-bolt solid axles riht now. I dont know the specifics on the axles. My question is, would it be a good idea to custom fab a 4-corner long travel independent suspension for general multi-terrain use, or would it be better to keep the solid axles?  If i keep the solid axles i would convert them from leaf springs to four link.  Just kicking around ideas and trying to decide on the best one for my application.  

For mud keep it simple and sturdy. Stay with solid axle and I would even stay with leafs too.  

For ANYTHING off highway, stick to the real axles. IFS is for cars and mall crawlers.  

Why are the solid axles the only way to go for anything offroad...is it because of the strength issues? and less moving joints to break in the driveline?  

They lift a LOT easier and it is easier to beef up. You want more brute strength, you swap in a bigger axle. With IFS, this is really not a option and by design there is more things to wear out and go wrong too.  

IFS breaks way too easy and it doesn't flex as well. With a solid axle, lifting one tire pushes down on the other, aiding in maintaining traction.  

Awesome guys thanks for the advice...looks like i'll stick with the solids i got for now.  Until my budget allows for some rockwells.  

Looks like those rockwells came to me a lot sooner than i thought they would.  I figure $1200 for 3 complete axles isn't too bad of a price...let me know if i'm wrong.  Also if anybody has a complete front axle they wouldn't mind trading for a rear let me know cuz i'm looking at rear steer options.  

That is an excelletn price, assuming they're in good condition. Good luck with the swap, and be sure and post pictures...