straight axle conversion parts list?

[97on22s]

i have a 2007 crew cab chevy 2wd 1500.

i want to keep it 2wd and run leaf springs. but do a straight axle to run 40s and not have to worry about much. i wont ever hook up 4wd or want to convert. yes my trucks are street only andi usually maybe keep a truck a year. so i dont want to go to crazy with it.

if anyone has a few minutes to tell me what axle i can get by with and cost. and where to get steering. what kinda shocks. anything il need for hits. ive looked through some threads but most people are doing stuff to offroad there truck and its expensive heavy duty parts.

so if im keeping my truck on the street only and running some 40s and 20s.
What parts should i get?

thanks in advance.

[SilveradoLQ9]

your gonna need the brackets and the axle, probly dana 44, chevy or ford, the crossover steering and the leafs, thats about it, if you have any more questions pm me. Good luck, hope this helps!

[TikiClub2]

i have a 2007 crew cab chevy 2wd 1500.

i want to keep it 2wd and run leaf springs. but do a straight axle to run 40s and not have to worry about much. i wont ever hook up 4wd or want to convert. yes my trucks are street only andi usually maybe keep a truck a year. so i dont want to go to crazy with it.

if anyone has a few minutes to tell me what axle i can get by with and cost. and where to get steering. what kinda shocks. anything il need for hits. ive looked through some threads but most people are doing stuff to offroad there truck and its expensive heavy duty parts.

so if im keeping my truck on the street only and running some 40s and 20s.
What parts should i get?

thanks in advance.

All suspension lifts are exspensive! lol. They are only cheap if you half ass it. And a truck with a half ass lift is way worse than any stocker.


Check out B&C. They do alot of custom lifts and are located in Houston. You'd want to change out your rear end regardless of if you want a 4wd or not (assuming you have a 10 bolt). You'd need like an AAM 10.5 or a 10.5 Corporate 14 bolt. (It's not for offroading, but handling 40 inch tires, 10 bolt will probably fail).

Are you sure you want to "sfa" and just put a steer axle in? You could just put a normal IFS lift ang get close to 40's. I think Full Throttle Suspension has big enough kits, but not completely sure because thier site is down.

[1989K1500]

Theres all kinds of little **** to buy.

[bggrnchvy]

Ive got a more in depth question in that its a brand new 07 truck, you want to run 40's on the street and you will only have it a year, how does that make any sense to cut it up and modify it permanently?

Run 40's on the IFS, you might have to change the tie-rods in the whole year you will own it. The next owner will just see the repair bill soon after purchase.

[97on22s]

i never keep stuff that long. but ive cut up every truck. except last 2 laid body.

the reason for not wanting to do the ifs is most the ifs kits to run 40s on a 2wd are gna put me upwards of 4 grand. id rather spend 2500-3k and install a straight axle that will hold up for many owners to come.

and if i do end up liking it more than the others it might end hangin around a lil while longer.

so i need a dana 44..any place to get these already rebuilt? or most ok as is?
il need shocks.
leaf springs? what size to clear 40s with a straight axle?
can you buy a cross over steering to work with these trucks and that axle?
do i need anything else to go with taht steering setup?

[Cajun4x4]

yea its gonna cost a good bit more than 3k :LOL:

[KADILLACKID]

i never keep stuff that long. but ive cut up every truck. except last 2 laid body.

the reason for not wanting to do the ifs is most the ifs kits to run 40s on a 2wd are gna put me upwards of 4 grand. id rather spend 2500-3k and install a straight axle that will hold up for many owners to come.

and if i do end up liking it more than the others it might end hangin around a lil while longer.

so i need a dana 44..any place to get these already rebuilt? or most ok as is?
il need shocks.
leaf springs? what size to clear 40s with a straight axle?
can you buy a cross over steering to work with these trucks and that axle?
do i need anything else to go with taht steering setup?

WHY would you want one rebuilt if your not even gonna hook a driveshaft up to it....

IMHO,If I was doing this,Id be finding myself a straight steer axle with no diff...U know,the ones u see in 3500HD + trucks that are 2wd

And If I was only running 40s,Id stick to the IFS

[SilveradoLQ9]

Ive got a more in depth question in that its a brand new 07 truck, you want to run 40's on the street and you will only have it a year, how does that make any sense to cut it up and modify it permanently?

Run 40's on the IFS, you might have to change the tie-rods in the whole year you will own it. The next owner will just see the repair bill soon after purchase.

I totaly agree, even if you have it more than a year, tie rods are cheap, and you wont completly void the warranty! From what I heard on a Gm warranty if its installed by a licenced mechanic, it does not void it, who knows thats just my dealership? Like Biggreen SAID KEEP THE IFS! Tie rods are cheap!

[97on22s]

well see what happens. but if we do the straight axle. im going to run 44" sts swampers. might as well be big. and i hear of alot of people with the half tons hubs and stuff wearing out and them failing and snapping off? then tie rods. ball joints on the half ton...

if someone can find me a 2wd kit to fit 40s. and it last me 25k miles im all for it as well.

[1989K1500]

well see what happens. but if we do the straight axle. im going to run 44" sts swampers. might as well be big. and i hear of alot of people with the half tons hubs and stuff wearing out and them failing and snapping off? then tie rods. ball joints on the half ton...

if someone can find me a 2wd kit to fit 40s. and it last me 25k miles im all for it as well.

Stay away from STS' imo.

SAS is a lot of money and work to (1) not use 4x4 and (2) sell the truck soon.

[tatez71]

If your not even doing your front drive-shaft their is no reason in doing a SFA IMO! Just get a big IFS & put on! You can still up-grade your front to handle the 40"s see'in your only gunna be street driving! Waste of time, money, & parts if your not gunna use them!

[ChevyMan02]

Just get a big 2wd kit and get all the upgrades you can like the heim steering, new uppercontrol arms with uni-balls or OBS balljoints, and pitman/idler arm supports. Your wasting your time and money SFAing a truck you will keep for a year and NEVER bring offroad. In this situation an IFS kit is much more cost effective.

[97on22s]

from what ive been looking at it will cost in upwards of 4k to get a tall enough lift to run 40s on the 2wd and look good. and i can get the dana 44. springs. shocks. metal to build brackets. dom for steering. tie road. pitman arm for less than that. only reason why i was talkin doing the sfa. save money. and doig the labor end is not a huge deal...

does anyone know of anyone who will make me a good deal on a 2wd kit around 18"?

[tatez71]

maybe try Cognito 12" kit & a body lift! I'm not a fan of BL's but if you wanna be that big- do what you got too! I think this would put you around the height you want & still look decent! I just dont see how your gunna SFA & all for under $4k! goodluck
http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page31.html

[97on22s]

there is a local rock crawler off road shop that even said theyd do what im looking to do for 6k installed with straight axle. so the only way id think theyd be willing to do that is if they could get there parts for around 2500-3k and make 3k isntalling it.

but who knows. il keep shopping ebay for a used ifs kit and keep lookin for the right parts for the sfa.

anyone know the cost on a fabritech kit with steering ?

[loudchevy]

why do you want 40's on a 2wd street truck?

[loudchevy]

also i've heard that even 33's on an ifs will make ball joints and alignment go out after less than 15000 miles.

[loudchevy]

i don't know what kind of rear end you have but if it's a gm 10-bolt then don't go over 35's

[98chevy]

also i've heard that even 33's on an ifs will make ball joints and alignment go out after less than 15000 miles.

Im not sure where you heard this put ive ran my 35's well over 15,000 miles and never touched alighnment or ball joints.
I also havent ever replaced my ball joints And been told there stock. Im not sure how to tell but i have 230,000 miles on the truck.
And last thing yes the 10 bolt is weak but there many guys on heer running them on 37's and so fourth with zero problems yet. meybe im lucky and those guys are lucky