sas sua

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bcsteel

bcsteel

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I'm a bit of a newb in the sas world but am just wondering if it is possible to spring under axel an sas job due to not wanting a 5 inches of lift. as i understand it a 3 inch saslift gives five inches overall? so I was thinking if i went under then i would lose lift but still gain the solid axel. what do you guys think about it? My truck is used alot on very harsh roads but not at all for rock crawling, the front end is getting tired so I am shopping.

Matt
 
I just don't think that's a very good idea. Even the stock solid axle trucks came spring over. I think you would have steering and frame clearance issues. If I were you I would probably just spend the money for new front end bushings and re-build the IFS. If you are not an avid wheeler or someone looking for lots of wheel travel, IFS is probably a better option. As to whether or not IFS rides better on your rough road situation, I can tell you my solid axle all pro front springs are far more comfortable than my stock 88 IFS pickup, but I have lost some of the on road handling the IFS offered.
 
The IFS frame has no arch in the frame over the front axle to allow you to keep it low, if you did a spring under swap it would have almost no up travel. If you want a solid front axle and you want it low, you'll either need to mod the frame (not advisable if you are not a pro fab guy) or wait till a solid axle truck comes around.
 
A 3 inch lift will keep it fairly low, match the lift in the back and you will be set. If you don't need the flex a 3 inch lift kit with solid axles will give you, then you probably do not need a solid axle. What size tires do you plan on running? IFS is more capable then people give it credit for. I conquered several trails with my IFS truck. Now with that said, my 1985 4runner is far more capable. But so am I as a driver, after learning to wheel with the limits of IFS.
 
you can go as low as the frame alows if you stay away from hi-steer. Use the stock j-arm steering and some stock springs, or some 2" lift springs....

But SUA is not the better option.
 
ifs or sas

I guess when it comes down to it I probably don't need sas but I'm driving on super nasty logging in northern BC roads (these are not maintained whatsoever) 100-150 days a year and am haggering my poor ifs system so i was thinking that a sas setup is more durable and can take more abuse, there is some wheeling as well actually quite a bit just not full on rock crawling if you catch my drift. Two inches of lift would be great. i currently run yokohama 700r 15 8 plys and have had no issues in 5 years of beating the shight out of them and would like to stay with something in that size or at least profile. i have been doing the research and it seems that 3 inches of sas lift will give you like 5 inches of overall lift and would like to keep in down a bit as that is two much for me. I probably should just buy an 85 and be done with it but I have lots of time into my 89 and really like the truck. thanks guys for all your input.
 
You should just get Old Man Emu with the torsion bars, springs and all and be done with it. It will give about 2" of lift and ride really well with the type of tire you are running. It is made just for the kind of no nonsense hard work use you need and is not overly complex. IFS can survive if you don't ask too much from it in the way of travel and traction.
 
wristy, how much lift would that setup give me overall, do you think there would be any clearance issues with the ifs rear springs? that sounds like a good idea I likey:)
 
bcsteel said:
wristy, how much lift would that setup give me overall, do you think there would be any clearance issues with the ifs rear springs? that sounds like a good idea I likey:)
Click to expand...

you can expect roughly two inches, but it greatly depends on how you set up the leaf pack, like i was saying earlier.

this RUF swap is super common. guys do it all the time.

check out this thread. it should answer a lot of questions.

you just dont go spring under. thats like puttin diesel in yer gas tank. it just doesnt make sense.

if yer out bouncin on those nasty loggin roads, you may find that its more comfortable with the IFS.

running a solid axle no matter the kind of springs is gonna me much more rough than IFS.

I dont understand why there is such a strong relation to braking, and failure associated with IFS.

ask Jerod, he wheels the pig snot outta his truck, as i do one of mine that has IFS and its super tough.

i saw one axle break, ever and i can only assume that it was from driver inexperience as well as cheap chinese parts. cause it certainly was not a reman, it was a new axle from china.

in your situation using it for just trail riding and gettin around, seems economical to just improve what you have.

but trust me, once you find how much more you can acomplish with the right springs right gears and right tires on a solid axle, you will be in the next 4x4 competition
 
If you lift it wont you feel more tempted to do more wheeling :D I know I would. So I vote SAS. I just did one and the 3'' kit from trailgear put it up about 6-7'' this was a little unexpected so we took out the added leaf in the 3'' springs that brought it down 2'' so 5'' of block in the rear leveled it right up.
I will say that that the added leaf will need to go back in at some point ... the clearance with the high steer and the pitman arm is kind close so i cant really do to much wheeling untill its all done the way it was intended, and springs in the back not blocks:mad: but i was on a budget
my2cents
 
Keep the IFS, just rebuild it or lift it 2 inches. IFS can/will hold up to a lot of abuse.
 
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