SAS questions
#1
SAS questions
I have lots of front end problems that should be attended to. I told myself a long time ago when my front end got to this point I was going to do a SAS with a Dana 44.
Well that time has come. I am going to do a Dana 44 SAS. I have decided to go full width because I have an Explorer rear already so once I add the adapters for the rear to go to the D44 bolt pattern I should be around the same width front and rear.
Now I have a few questions. How's $100 for a D44 from a 78 Bronco. I am going to completely give the axle a once over. Clean it all up replace bearings, seals, gears, u-joints, and ball joints. It has the steering linkage attached but other than that it is an axle from wheel to wheel.
Or would it be better to go to the junkyard with a couple of friends and rip one out of a truck and take everything axle, springs, radius arms, steering linkage. I know of a few junkyards that almost always have an old bronco or f150. I don't like doing all that work in a junkyard but would it be worth it to get all those parts.
Well that time has come. I am going to do a Dana 44 SAS. I have decided to go full width because I have an Explorer rear already so once I add the adapters for the rear to go to the D44 bolt pattern I should be around the same width front and rear.
Now I have a few questions. How's $100 for a D44 from a 78 Bronco. I am going to completely give the axle a once over. Clean it all up replace bearings, seals, gears, u-joints, and ball joints. It has the steering linkage attached but other than that it is an axle from wheel to wheel.
Or would it be better to go to the junkyard with a couple of friends and rip one out of a truck and take everything axle, springs, radius arms, steering linkage. I know of a few junkyards that almost always have an old bronco or f150. I don't like doing all that work in a junkyard but would it be worth it to get all those parts.
#2
100 bucks sounds good to me.
all the steering is no good IMO. get a Chevy 1ton TRE kit for 250 bucks and make your own, with the steering on top of the knuckle.
radius arms... going to extend them and run JJ on the ends? I would. I have a set if you want to buy them. I can extend them to the length you want and welled the DOM on with JJs already on them.
How tall? We put SuperRide or something 4" F150 lift coils on Evans and that rides SUPER smooth and handles the weight of the truck really well. I can get a link if you want.
So all that is really left is steering box and intermediate shaft, I have a writeup on all that here.
all the steering is no good IMO. get a Chevy 1ton TRE kit for 250 bucks and make your own, with the steering on top of the knuckle.
radius arms... going to extend them and run JJ on the ends? I would. I have a set if you want to buy them. I can extend them to the length you want and welled the DOM on with JJs already on them.
How tall? We put SuperRide or something 4" F150 lift coils on Evans and that rides SUPER smooth and handles the weight of the truck really well. I can get a link if you want.
So all that is really left is steering box and intermediate shaft, I have a writeup on all that here.
#5
Thanks fellas. I will get that axle then.
I will be in contact with you about the radius arms Zach. I love your work and trust you will do it right. We can talk more about that a little later. I want to get the axle here first and take the thing apart to see what kind of shape it is in before I go spending any more money.
I am also going to go with 4" F150 coils I believe that is what Griggs put in his truck and I love the feel of his truck it is awesome. His SAS with 35's rides better than my truck stock with stock tires.
I will be in contact with you about the radius arms Zach. I love your work and trust you will do it right. We can talk more about that a little later. I want to get the axle here first and take the thing apart to see what kind of shape it is in before I go spending any more money.
I am also going to go with 4" F150 coils I believe that is what Griggs put in his truck and I love the feel of his truck it is awesome. His SAS with 35's rides better than my truck stock with stock tires.
#7
These springs are beautiful... IDK what Griggs is running but these are NICE
http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-...n_the_usa_.htm
http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-...n_the_usa_.htm
Those look great. Should keep me withing my budget but springs are prolly one of the last things I am going to buy.
#8
#9
I haven't figured any of that out yet. I am really still brainstorming this all through. I will be doing lots of research for the next month or two. Reading up on everything I can so I understand how to do most of it. I plan on talking lots to Zach.
Griggs told me last year he would help me if I decided to do it this year. So I am going to be giving him a call soon. First because I haven't heard from him in a couple months. Second because I need his help.
Right now I am going to try and get a few parts every month so the wallet doesn't empty too fast. I know this project is going to cost over 1k and I haven't spent that much on any one project before.
I did rebuild the rear axle I have and put that in my truck myself. I know setting up the front takes a little more effort but I want to do this so I will figure it out.
I rebuilt the rear slowly then put it in by myself in one weekend. The hardest part was getting the pinion angle correct to weld the spring perches on in the right spots. I have also gone to chevy springs but that also is not too difficult and you can't really mess up where to move the spring hangers to since two of the holes are there for you. I did the spring swap in a couple hours by myself.
I love working by myself on my truck but this project I am going to consult and get help from anyone I can. I also have my sister's boyfriend as a source since he did a D44 rebuild and install on his jeep. I am going to drag him down to help me at least once on this project.
#11
#13
Well the budget for the axle has lost some before I even get anything going.
My driversside bearing is shot. I couldn't make it home I just had to walk about 3 miles to get home. The truck is in a parking lot. I jacked it up and tried to give the wheel a spin and it won't even make it 1 revolution.
My driversside bearing is shot. I couldn't make it home I just had to walk about 3 miles to get home. The truck is in a parking lot. I jacked it up and tried to give the wheel a spin and it won't even make it 1 revolution.
#15
John thanks for the offer. I still haven't gotten it home. It is sitting in the parking lot where I left it thursday. I am going in a few minutes to finish fixing it. My AMV hub broke and some of the parts are stuck inside the inner hub assembly. I can't get them off the end of the axle shaft. I didn't have all the necessary tools last night and I ran out of sunlight. I should be okay in getting it done and hope to have the truck home by 2pm.
#17
These springs are beautiful... IDK what Griggs is running but these are NICE
http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-...n_the_usa_.htm
http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-...n_the_usa_.htm
#18
#19
I put about 1400 in to the front end of mine and i also have those coils above they ride nice but they dont flex at all the front dosent hardly move idk if it is my radius arm setup (which i think it is cause everyone else likes them) but ya i would for sure extend those arms before you do it i wish i did but oh well itl be done before may 28.
Heres my junk
Heres my junk
#22
#24
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johnie Joint I assume. www.currieenterprises.com
http://www.currieenterprises.com/ces...nnyjoints.aspx
http://www.currieenterprises.com/ces...nnyjoints.aspx