Solid Axle Conversion Tech

[RedFireZ71]

Great article on Dana 60s of all years and makes:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ont/index.html

[IceCold4x4]

Does anyone have a newer body style (88-99) 3/4 ton with the SFA conversion? If so post what it cost you to do the swap. I've got a shop here that'll do the fab work or whatever cheap, they just don't want to do the headache of figurin' out the specifics. they just want to build stuff by a proven set of mesurments. I'd love this as it'd save me some serious cash not to mention I'D GET TO HAVE A 3/4 ton rock crawler, HEHE.

[J to the izA]

Originally posted by IceCold4x4
Does anyone have a newer body style (88-99) 3/4 ton with the SFA conversion? If so post what it cost you to do the swap. I've got a shop here that'll do the fab work or whatever cheap, they just don't want to do the headache of figurin' out the specifics. they just want to build stuff by a proven set of mesurments. I'd love this as it'd save me some serious cash not to mention I'D GET TO HAVE A 3/4 ton rock crawler, HEHE.

its practically the EXACT same cost as everything being discussed here. if you read all these post you will see that everyone is talking about only using one ton gear. you just get to keep your rear axle, which is only worth 100 bux anyways

[IceCold4x4]

Wait a min, I thought the 2500 8 lug's had a slightly different frames then the 1500's? Or am I losin' my mind again, 'bout to try to enlist the help of some friends in engineering to build out a coil sping kit, i figure i might as well get rich in the process, well since no one offers it. Hell if i can pull it off anyone can. So just for future reference what exactly are the differences in a 1500 and a 2500 8 lug in the front area around the frame and IFS suspension?

[IceCold4x4]

Still rackin' my brain on this one y'all, I think i'm startin' to obsess over this. 'Aight, if i buy the bracket and steering kit from ORV just about any shop around should be able to just bolt a dana 60 right up, using the right leafs and what not of course. so they shouldn't have to actually fab anything to do it. and has anyone done this swap and kept the same tires before and after. just curuous as to the exact ride differences. i know i know it all depends on which springs u get so plz give the size springs and company u got. also what shocks u ran would be nice. THANX ALOT FOR Y'ALLS HELP

[J to the izA]

yes the frame and IFS are slightly different. but when you hack all that stuff off then you have the same deal ;)

you will just be buying maybe a different bracket set, but the costs are pretty much the same cause your doing the same thing. the only diff is that you already have the 8 lug rear. so you save 100 bux

there are many more hidden costs. go back and look at 95gmc's price list. ya stuff adds up fast when you do it right.

as much as i want SFA, im having trouble justifying 6,000 dollars on it.

[DirtySouthZ71]

Go Ford Hi Pinion.... May be more expensive at the start but in the end you will be happier.

[WR97Tahoe]

my friend was talking to me about this conversion and i was thinking about it but now i think im going to stay with the IFS since i dont think im going to need all that since i dont do heavy offroading i go to the parks and wheel dont get me wrong but i dont think i need all that and it seems to be alot of work where people say that the IFS works fine. My friend has a ford axle for me if i want to do this conversion but should i really do it? or just get the regular lift?

[Sled_Dog]

Originally posted by Biggie
If anyone is considering the Dodge axles, make sure you don't get those from a 1994-1995 (I believe that these are the only years) 2500 LD. They come with 8-lug D44s and 9.25s.

94+ Dodge front axles are coil sprung so that rules them out anyway there boss.

[95gmcd6014]

why couldn't you use a coil sprung axle?

[DirtySouthZ71]

Originally posted by 95gmcd6014
why couldn't you use a coil sprung axle?

You can....If I was to run a 4 link I would coil over instead of coils..... Which reminds me of the new Dodge front end. They are running a 14 bolt front axle! Imagine the possiblitys.

[Sled_Dog]

Originally posted by 95gmcd6014
why couldn't you use a coil sprung axle?

Definetally could but thats a whole nother subject that few people really understand. Can't just slap a few links on a front axle and say fine. I was planning a SFA on a 2wd 91 dually and the plan involved a Dodge front axle. They sold the truck privately before end of auction though(ebay).

[Sled_Dog]

Originally posted by DirtySouthZ71


You can....If I was to run a 4 link I would coil over instead of coils..... Which reminds me of the new Dodge front end. They are running a 14 bolt front axle! Imagine the possiblitys.

Its not the same as a 14 bolt rear axle I am sure. I mean number of bolts on a diff cover don't make the axle. I mean by that logic the Dana 60 and 70 are weak cause they are 10 bolts.

[95gmcd6014]

Originally posted by DirtySouthZ71


You can....If I was to run a 4 link I would coil over instead of coils..... Which reminds me of the new Dodge front end. They are running a 14 bolt front axle! Imagine the possiblitys.

oh I know you can, just wanted to hear what this guy had to say;) The front end on the new dodges is smaller than a 60, I think the ring gear is around 9.25". The diff and housing is similar to the 14 bolt SF, it might even be the same.

[BC Rod and Custom]

How hard could it be to fab up a 4-link for the front? I'm sure someone with an accurate understanding of suspensions and how they work could engineer and great 4-link to provide a smoother ride. A 4 link with a panhard bar would even be ideal because you would have more articulation. Now I don't know a whole lot about suspensions but I plan to learn a lot in the very near future. Don't the dodges have 4 Links on them? I am getting some great ideas from this site. I believe it may be possible to use a Dodge axle from the information that I have read in this post.

[95gmcd6014]

check out www.triple-xtraction.com and look under pete's truck. Its running a standard 4 parralel links with panhard setup. Dodges do come with a link suspension in the front.

[Sled_Dog]

I can design a four link if you can fab. Would need measurements and I was planning a 2wd to 4wd conversion because the spring perches are there.

[Dudes99]

After looking at that link........OH MY GO I JUST WET MYSELF!!!!!!!!

:bow: :hit:

Get the hint!

[BigGreenz71]

Hey im a new member here, i got a 89 RCLB z71 with 6" trailmaster lift and 35x12.50 thornbirds, well anyways to the topic a new neighbor couple houses down is parting out a 87 below chevy 4x4, lift has 36's on it so go from there on lift size, well anything is forsale, i want to do a straight axle swap, i was thinking i could use parts from it to do the swap what all would i be looking at and what could i expect to spend to do this swap from reading i know this axle wouldnt be cheapest route....any help would be greatly appreciated

[Yukoneer]

that pete's truck link... notice no driveshaft to the front!