SFA swap.

[blackbodylift]

Well I just got a 6inch lift with a 3 inch body and I already want to go bigger. So I found a dana 44 ford axle and a dana 44 chevy axle so im going to buy the ford and swap the knuckles from the chevy. Now I'm thinking about making the brackets because they don't seem that hard to make. The front ones will be easy but i'm not sure on the rear. I was wondering if anyone of you have some dimensions of the brackets and some detailed pics of them. Also which springs would i have to get? Could I take the ones off the ford that im getting the axle from? It's just to make sure on how wide to make the brackets. The main concern I have is making the axle centered. I am going to do all the bracket's on a plasma cam. Now to make my truck sit higher on the front and rear brackets where the leaf spring bolts to could i make the hole farther down to add lift? Or would that just make it weaker? Thanks for the info!

[LPG PWRD]

how about finishing school first...

[blackbodylift]

Originally Posted by LPG PWRD

how about finishing school first...

Well the thing is I can get the axle for 250.. and I will not pay a dime for the brackets if I make them.. Its just something to do to pass school time since my entire senior year I am an ade in machine shop and have access to a plasma cam and lot of other fun goodies. If I tried doing it out of school I would be better off buying the brackets. But this way I will save about $500

[LPG PWRD]

save $500 and still spend at least $3000

[chevytaHOE5674]

Originally Posted by LPG PWRD

save $500 and still spend at least $3000

Only 3000 if your lucky.

[LPG PWRD]

ballpark figure... right out the ol'

[88GMCtruck]

If you want to do it on a budget, be prepared to spend at least $2.5k minimum (that is if you can get steel and fabricate stuff for cheap). I spent about $2,700 on the lift alone, and 3 weeks of solid hard work. There is a link in my signature if you want to see how I did mine.

Good luck if you choose to do the swap.

[KADILLACKID]

Too bad...I liked your truck when it was on 37s with bodylift only

[blackbodylift]

If I can atleast get it all together I am going to lift it alot higher later.. It's just to get the axle under under it and have it able to move. So i'll I have to buy is axle,steering,gears,shocks. and I should be fine for awhile.

[blackbodylift]

Originally Posted by KADILLACKID

Too bad...I liked your truck when it was on 37s with bodylift only

Thanks. I did to..It was small but huge.

[KADILLACKID]

yes.....Im considering 36s on mine,no lift at all

[blackbodylift]

Originally Posted by KADILLACKID

yes.....Im considering 36s on mine,no lift at all

Just alot of trimming and it can be done.

[blackbodylift]

Now for my shocks..can I get like 6 inch lift ones but move the bracket where it bolts to down further so I won't have to fight to find shocks that will have 20+ inches of lift and spend $8000 alone on shocks?

[KADILLACKID]

consider the trimming done LOL

[88GMCtruck]

Originally Posted by blackbodylift

Now for my shocks..can I get like 6 inch lift ones but move the bracket where it bolts to down further so I won't have to fight to find shocks that will have 20+ inches of lift and spend $8000 alone on shocks?

Don't buy shocks for a 6" lift. You will want to buy a longer shock than that, depending on how much spring arch you will have. I would order those last after you know how much your suspension will cycle. In my case, I bought 34" shocks with 14" of travel all the way around and I can max them out.

And Rancho sells "universal" extended shocks that aren't vehicle specific, which is what I bought from summit for about $140.

[blackbodylift]

Now that I am using a ford axle will I need ford springs? or will chevy work?

And another reason why I am going SFA is cause the cost of it will be alot cheaper then a few cv's here and a few balljoints here with some tie rods there.

[DarkCharisma]

Originally Posted by blackbodylift

And another reason why I am going SFA is cause the cost of it will be alot cheaper then a few cv's here and a few balljoints here with some tie rods there.

Ah, no, it won't. Lifetime warranty CV's = $70 bucks. Balljoints for your truck can be had for $30, tie-rods for $15. www.rockauto.com.

Unless you're busting them every day you won't save any money, ever.

[LPG PWRD]

You still gonna run the stacked blocks out back?? maybe you should fix that first

[blackbodylift]

Originally Posted by LPG PWRD

You still gonna run the stacked blocks out back?? maybe you should fix that first

I never stacked them.

[blackbodylift]

Originally Posted by DarkCharisma

Ah, no, it won't. Lifetime warranty CV's = $70 bucks. Balljoints for your truck can be had for $30, tie-rods for $15. www.rockauto.com.

Unless you're busting them every day you won't save any money, ever.

Limited lifetime..So if they break i'm ****ed..I have to keep buying them..If they break from mud running they dont replace them. Balljoints for all 4 is around 150.tie rods 20. The only money that I need to spend for my sfa is for the axle,gears,and the steering. I am also selling my 6inch lift to a local guy for $1000, so that will buy my axle and gears.