Solid Axle Conversion Tech

[Smith]

where can i get these?

[DarkEternal]

Havnt figured that part out yet, I know there are places. Whifflebats dad had some made for his auston healy in Houston so ill ask him.

[Smith]

Well i just contacted Offroad Design about it so maybe they will be able to custom make some. It will probably be a while before i get any info on it since they stated that on the page lol. Oh and im still checking on those ORU Knockoff brackets.

[DirtySouthZ71]

Im running extended brake lines from a 12" kit on 8" springs with a ford axle. Just make sure they are long enough to reach with the ORU brackets.

[DarkEternal]

Hey dirtysouth - how are the 44s clearing with the 8" springs. Did you trim alot? I got some 10" springs to clear 42s - hopefully without hacking. You do have a bodylift also right?

[Smith]

Originally posted by DarkEternal
Hey dirtysouth - how are the 44s clearing with the 8" springs. Did you trim alot? I got some 10" springs to clear 42s - hopefully without hacking. You do have a bodylift also right?

I was wondering the same thing. With 8 inch springs in the rear plus a 4 inch shackle flip and then 10 inch springs in the front will i need to worry about 44's fitting or should i be fine.

Also do you have any pics of your truck? I saw them a while back but dont know where. For brakes you are running a set of brakelines for a 12 inch chevy lift (your body style of truck or pre 87) or are they for a ford lift?

[snigbertese]

since you have to replace the 1500 auto trac on the nbs can you use the 2500hd's transfer cases with the electric buttons but no auto tract?

[1Down5Up]

Your going to need a lever in the cab to the best of my knowledge. The lever switches the case, and hits the front actuator to engage 4wheel drive.

[snigbertese]

yea but the hd's have a button that come with them and they will fit where the 1500's buttons are and the hd's transfer cases will work with soild axles without changing them out.

[Idowa]

Okay, I just read this entire thread, all 9 pages, and I still have unanswered questions.
I have a `98 C1500 short-bed, ext. cab pickup with a 5spd manual tranny, 2wd.
I was thinking about doing the SAS because I really, really miss 4wd, especially this time of year .
So, since I don't have a transfer case, and would like to use a Ford F350 front axle from an `87-93? truck, what would be the best transfer case? I know the NP205 is the strongest, but is also expensive and hard to find. I've run NP208s in other rigs and didn't have any issues, and they are dirt cheap.
But, what will bolt to my 2wd 5spd? What transfer case will I need an adapter for?
My boss just said I could have his old `83 F250 2wd that has a new 10.25 Sterling rear with 3.73 gears for free. I know that the 10.25 is compareable to a Dana 60 or Corp. 14-bolt, but are there any spring perch issues?
I want to run a 35"-36" tire, but there aren't any sources to figure out how much lift I'll need when going from 2wd to a solid front axle. Any other problems I should consider? Steering box location differences? Etc, etc.

[Idowa]

Another question: Would it be simpler to just bolt in an `88-`98 transfer case so I can use a factory GM shifter, mounting hardware, and linkage?
Or is the stock transfer case not up to 35" tires and 3/4-ton running gear?
Are there any best years for NBS transfer cases?
My truck will see mostly rural roads and nasty winter driving. I drove a `92 F250 4x4 with 35s and a 460 for years with no breakage, so I'm pretty easy on equipment.

[DirtySouthZ71]

I was running 20" of lift when I first had the 44's I couldnt get it to rub for anything! It also handled horrible offroad she was way to stiff and got really tipsy almost all the time. So I slowly worked down to what I found to be best for me. I am at about 15-16" of lift now.
3" body
3" brackets
1" running 1 tons
8" springs.
The fenders have been (kissed) by the tires untill they clear. Besides Chicks dig body damage.

[00buck]

i am trying to get a basic list together on what it takes to do a SAS on my 88' 1/2 ton. this is what i know i need:

-brackets
-my choice of 73-87 leaf springs
-my choice of axle (dana 44)
-a cross over steering set up (can i do this with junk yard parts?)
-custom brake lines
-new front shaft

is there any thing missing?

[Smith]

Originally posted by 00buck
i am trying to get a basic list together on what it takes to do a SAS on my 88' 1/2 ton. this is what i know i need:

-brackets
-my choice of 73-87 leaf springs
-my choice of axle (dana 44)
-a cross over steering set up (can i do this with junk yard parts?)
-custom brake lines
-new front shaft

is there any thing missing?

Personally i wouldnt do junk yard parts for crossover. Order your stuff from www.offroaddesign.com. Also you dont actually use 73-87 springs. Check out ORU's site and go in the FAQ section. You have to use blazer or burban springs but i forget the years. Also you will want a new rear axle, best bet is a 14 bff. Theres a few more things but i cant think of them right now because my mind isnt "clear" right now. LOL

[DirtySouthZ71]

Don't use 73-87 springs???? For the front you do.

[Smith]

Well i didnt specify enought. To use 73-87 springs ytou have to swap bushings
Taken right off ORU's site
"Q- What springs do I use?
A- Our kit is designed to use 1988 to 1991 Blazer or Suburban front leaf springs.You can use 1973 to 1987 front springs as well, but the leaf spring bushings will have to swapped to bushings from an 1988 to 1991"

[Hot Rod]

I have everything else ready to go, just need to figure out the pitman arm. Are the splines on my (91 1 ton 4x4) steering box the same as the splines on the older trucks? If so I may just reuse a pitman off of something else. Thanks for the info,

Tyler

[97k1500]

Originally posted by DirtySouthZ71
I believe there may be a problem with the electric actuator in the front differental other than that I cant think of anything else. Ofcourse your pushbuttons and light will no longer work.
As far as running a 205 etc in place of a 246 is concerned, i think you will run into problems with the ecm. The 246 uses a speed sensor in it to measure the shaft speed for your speedo reading. To the best of my knowledge, the 205 cannot accept a speed sensor. also it will trip the ses light. Good luck.



Yes the gears are different the Np205 is geared 1:96:1 while the Np241C has a 2.72:1 gear ratio. So you will be gearing higher if you did this swap. Also when swapping to a 205 in your model truck you will have to use a Ford 205 for the driverside differental.
The Ford bolt pattern is round with six bolts the old chevy is a hour glass pattern . The newer model 205 cases in the chevys have a round pattern but I do not believe its the same. If you are still interested in going to a Np205 give www.advanceadapter.com a call. They carry an adapter that mates the Ford 205 to a Gm 700r4 and newer 460le it comes with a new shorter than normal shaft for the trannsmission and the adapter is only 4" thick it has a spud shaft built into it with a bearing as well.

[5150Kon]

how much does the conv. usually run?

[EBMoffroad]

I did mine complete for about 3 grand I fabbed all my own brackets.