Having just done the coilover conversion on my front end, I just ran into a deal I'm not sure I want to refuse. It's a D30 Jeep axle out of a 90's Cherokee (IIRC), already has 4.10s in it, 4 link setup. Now, I understand what needs to be fabbed, and I'm not afraid of doing it, but my truck is my winter commuter, so ride quality is a concern. If I do the SAS, I figure I can still use the coilovers by making the brackets for the axle and the frame.

I have no plans of making the truck huge, but I've been wanting to go with a Superlift for a while, and since I can fab whatever I need, this SAS would actually be the cheaper route, although more work, and not reversable.

Give me your opinion on why you think I should or should not go through with this. I know I'm nuts, but is this one of those ideas I should just walk away from before it's too late?

 

dont do it

Only do it if you can some how make it stock-ish height just SAS like a dodge dakota just in a ranger

 

It would definitely be lifted, but not a ton. Like I said, I've already been wanting to do a Superlift, so I'd be shooting for about that height.

 

I'm pretty sure it was Ryan (RazorsEdge) that said in his thread about his truck not that long ago that he wouldn't do a swap with a D-30 ever again. I could be wrong.
But, IMO, D-30s are just ok. if your going to do anything serious with it, i'd get a D44.

 

Yeah, I know a D30 isn't real strong, but I'm not going to be doing anything major with it. Mostly commuting and mild trails/camping. If I was building something for heavy off-road, I'd definitely go with a narrow D44.

I'm just looking for some opinions on doing the SAS at all.

 

I wouldn't do it. The D30 isn't wide enough and the coils are angled. Does it work yes there are a few members with them but its hard to get everything to fit.

I would keep your stock setup. If its that good of a deal get it and sell it. Or get it and rebuild it like builtrite did and when you get good and ready swap it in.

 

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 8530)

If I did it, it wouldn't be until at least the spring anyway. I'm kind of just mulling it over. I've seen the D30 swaps on here, and how the coils bow, but IF I do it, I'll make coilover brackets that line it up correctly. I might pick it up anyway. Like you said, I can always sell it. If I clean it up and check it all out, it'll be easy enough to find it a new home if I don't install it.

 

I wouldn't SAS a DD. There are plenty of guys on here who regret it as a DD. But basically its your choice. Read everyones reviews on here.

 

superlift and add coilovers to that. dont sas unless its a trail rig only

 

With the coilovers it solves the biggest issue of why a D30 sucks and thats the awkward coil angle. But using it for a DD will mean really precise adjustment of the trackbar and steering angles. I saw the pics of your work on those cavilears so I have no doubt you can do this. But its a DD so id leave it alone. I looked into this and there is almost no way to SAS without going 5 inches of lift due to clearance issues

 

I agree.

 

Skip the D30. It's not the strength that gets it for me, but like these other guys said.....There's just not enough room for stuff! Coilovers do help with some of it, but you still don't get much room for a good panhard bar bracket, and there isn't much support in terms of a high steer setup. If I were to do my swap over I would go full width D44 no doubt about it.

 

having owned a jeep with the D30 front end, they really aren't the bad rap everyone gives them, especially when you throw in some chromoly shafts. Most of the issues people have with the D30 in jeeps is running a 35" or larger tire with stock shafts. idk about how they work in rangers as an SAS swap, but as far as whether or not to SAS a DD, yes the ride will be a little rougher, but your capabilities will be increased... I would imagine you can use all the lower steering components for an XJ. Personally if I did an SAS on a DD, I would try to get a bronco D44 and go from there. I'm planning on an SAS for an 88 ranger trail rig, but that is going to be with a pair of D60s and a leaf sprung front end.

If you end up buying the D30 and deciding against using it, get on one of the jeep forums and sell it there. probably would be your best bet. 4bangerjp.com is a good site with some good guys.

 

So wait....

You want a truck for mostly commuting and wheeling on mild trails? Why do you need a SAS to do that? You don't. Hell, your stock truck can do that for you just fine. But I understand the desire to lift it. So why not just do the Superlift and save time? Keeping the IFS will also give it a better on road ride quality.

But if you want to do the SAS, why waste your time with a 30? If you're going to spend the money/time on doing a SAS, do it right the first time....

 

I wouldn't do a sas with a dana 30, but if you can do for cheaper than a superlift I say go for it.

 

So having considered not only the opinions here, but also the time I would be without the truck, I'm going to go ahead and pass on it. To answer questions of why I even considered it, I could get the axle with 4.10 gears for $125 locally, so I wouldn't even have to regear it. I have the resources to fab whatever I need, and I have coilovers, so I was figuring that I could SAS my truck for cheaper than even buying a used Superlift, so why the hell not do it.

I don't need any lift to my truck, but I am an addict to modding vehicles, and I generally don't do the easy bolt-ons. LOL. I just like to be different, even if it's not necessarily functional.

Thanks for the opinions. I'll be planning on picking up a Superlift hopefully by the spring. That, with my coilovers, should keep me quite happy for a while.

 

Buy that axle and just keep it and use it later if you want or sell it for more.

 

If you wanted something not necessarily useful, but definitely awesome and unique...Take the Dana 30 and swap it into the rear and run a rear steer setup....

 

Why do you think the guy is selling the D30 in the first place, first to get rid of it and second of course is the money and the fact that he found someone to get rid of it for him and pay him in the mean time.

D30 is workable and an ok axle but not a good one will work with new HD axle shafts and a good posi or locking diff.
D44, good, strong enough for anything you want to do.

The idea of a SAS DD sounds good to me’ done right and moderately lifted it will work as well as an OEM D35; my idea too !

4-Link would be nice but a lot harder to do over a Radius Arm setup, but using the Coil-Over Brackets you now have and new longer Coil-Over Shocks either setup would be nice.

Let’s get started and get some pics up.