Hey Explorer forum! I am writing to see whom would be ineterested in made to order SAS kit for your Explorer? WannaB and I found a company whom is willing to make a kit that would allow you to run leaf springs up front for a dana 30 or dana 44 swap. There are not any companies out there right now doing this for us Explorer owners.
This company does very nice work and can custom make any add on that you may want.
I am in contact with the owner and he seems excited to help us out. Please post any questions you have here.
If you plan on running a Dana 30 or Dana 44 your center to center measurements will be 31", or this is what mine is on my solid axle explorer.
Let me know what you think. Lets hear from the ones that are seriously going to be doing a swap. His prices are very reasonable for all. So it is affordable.
http://www.bentup.com/Photos/BentupFrontHanger.jpg
http://www.bentup.com/Photos/hang2.jpg
http://www.bentup.com/Photos/BentupRearHanger.jpg
http://www.bentup.com/Photos/hanger2.jpg

Oh yeah. Come on guys. Who is interested?

Looks great.. I would be interested in a few years... I know that doesn't help much

I know this is my next step eventually.

Hey Trckmagik, you never gave the website for all to ck out.

www.bentup.com


I want some of these.

http://www.bentup.com/Photos/rocker12.jpg

What kind of prices is he talking???

If you go to www.bentup.com you will see his prices. Check out the SAS kit. His price should be right around this figure.

what about from a 2wd to a 4wd SAS? that might cost an arm and a leg.

It would be no diff other than you will need a 4wd output shaft installed on your tranny and then need a tcase They are all over the internet and people are selling them on here all teh time. Its doable

Me think me like!!!

but i only really have one other Prolbem
that if i do a SAS how would i go bout Steering ??

will are price for this kit be around 250$ ?? if so i could deifnatley do this atleast buy the kit for now( well bout january)

let me know

Thnx

sounds complicated. and all the wiring that is involve...tempting......

I am seriously interested. i am looking for an axle as we speak and if this kit is reasonable i will get it.

You would want to go with a manual tcase then there is no wiring invloved. And then run a early explorer Power Steering unit.

What kind of axle are you looking at and how hard do you wheel your explorer. What size tires are you wanting to run?

Just some things you want to look at while looking for your axle.

Hey trckmagic what bout my ?'s

thats bout the only thing holding me back from considering a sas... well b4 it was all the fabrication but this makes it easier.....

You will want to avoid any Ford D44 with cast c-bushing brackets. These combined with leaf springs don't get along well. Also, a Ford D44 with the welded c-bushing brackets, would have to be removed which requires welding.

It will be interesting to see what someone comes up with as far a kit. I don't think one can be created that would simply be "bolt on." Also remember, this is just hangers, a steering box mount, and shock hoops. This is FAR from everything needed for a successful SAS. I am not trying to discourage anyone. Just remember, it is going to take a lot more than $250 to pull the job off.

What all would I have to provide to compete this "kit". What would be the total cost? Or better yet what has everyone else had to spend to SAS their Explorer's?

Rob is correct. This will just get you started. You will still need to work with steering, driveshafts, brakes, Etc. But there is alot of people whom have trouble finding a metal fabricator where they live. This will help you out alot.
You can use the F250 shock towers on your explorers. This will work best with a Dana 30 from a 1990 to 1995ish jeep or a dana 44 from a Jeep Wagoneer. These were both already leaf sprung.
I have done this SAS and it really is very simple with a little time and money. This SAS kit will simply put you that much closer to being solid.

Xplorkid. Your steering will need to be reworked. Depending on if you stay spring under or if you decide to go spring over. If you go Spring over axle then you can use the Kit from M.O.R.E www.mountainoffroad.com
It is there steering correction kit part# 9930 I believe.

For those of you whom are looking to swap in a Dana 30.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33728&item=2442300450

What all would I have to provide to compete this "kit". What would be the total cost? Or better yet what has everyone else had to spend to SAS their Explorer's? My question exactly.
Now I know the total cost can vary greatly depending on how you decide to build it. I
just want to get an idea of the minimum I would have to spend.

I can only speak for a 91-94 as thats all I have done.

Dana 44 (1991 Jeep Wagoneer) 125.00 Dollars
Bent Up SAS Brackets (Roughly) 125.00 Dollars
Shackles 50.00 Dollars
Leaf Springs 250.00 Dollars
Custom Steering 250.00 to 500.00 Dollars
Brake Lines 100.00 Dollars

This will get the axle under you vehicle. A large amount will be in whether you do it yourself or have someone else install it.

If you go with the Dana 44 then you will need new rims and adapters for the rear axle. This will keep the bolt pattern the same from front to back axle.
If you go with a Dana 30 then your rims will work as they share the same bolt pattern as your rear 8.8 axle.

You will also then need a custom driveshaft made for the front (roughly) 250.00 dollars

Then the cost of regearing and locking your axles. If you so choose to do this.

So your looking at around 1325.00 dollars before your rims, adapters (wheels), lockers, or gears. You can make this as expensive or as inexpensive as you want. You need to look at the following:
What size tires?
How hard do I wheel?
Do I need lockers?
Do I need Gears?

Someone already makes a kit to SAS a coil sprung D30 under an Explorer. :D

Cory,

$$$. I just havent heard much about your kit and how well it has held up.
I would be interested to know what your brackets cost for a 1994 Leaf sprung axle?

will this fit a 98+ ranger? i know that the 95+ explorers share the suspension with the 98+ rangers so it should right?

Yes. The SAS manufacturer can make these to any measurement that you need.

I just heard back from the owner of Bentup. He likes what he sees from the Explorer crowd.

The front and rear brackets are only 125.00 plus shipping. Not bad folks.

I can get a list of exactly what you will need to do this on a 91-94. The 95 and ups would be very similar with the exception of the steering box.

***and the sliders are in the development stage.

Whats with the low hanging bracket? looks weird.

If I were to compare Bentup kit with that of CRL Customs brackets, I would say I like the CRL Customs one more.

But thats only if....:D

So order from CRL :rolleyes:

I still havent heard how much the CRL brackets would cost?

I used cj shackle reverse front hangers from MORE offroad and in the rear a set of modified warrior shackles. I basically made the came setup as shown in the picture, but I'm sure the allpro tacoma sas kit would do the same the braketry looks the same. I also used rancho 44044 front 2.5 lift springs for 80s model grand cherokee.

Are the sliders in production yet?
-E

I would go to www.bentup.com and drop the owner a email. See what he can offer us.

Those brackets look nice. That's basically about what I built from scratch. I have closer to $3k invested but I did everything top notch and no half ass work. Consider that many axles will need brakes, bearings, seals and some other TLC to get them right on.

Check out my SAS thread for prices and other misc parts to consider...



NOTAJP goes solid (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=86486)

Yes, I also had to to brakes, bearings, gears, etc. This is by no means cheap but if you have an extra 3-5k sitting around then go for it :)

Not to bring this back up, but I actually found Bentup.com from a totally unrelated source. My friend just recently purchased his SAS kit and had AJ's brother (along with a few others) install the kit. They actually were working on it this weekend, just about done (took 2 days total).

I am looking to purchase front and rear bumpers, sliders and a an SAS kit (eventually, right now I need a new bumper so I can convince the GF on this).

The other reason I mention this is that I live in Sacramento where the owner of Bentup is located. I am willing to offer my vehicle up for mock up of things if the need be. I have a 1997 Ford Explorer (4 door).

So, if you're still interested, keep up on the post. I plan to have a new rear bumper on in a month or so from him.

Very nice. Please keep us posted. I still plan on getting the SAS brackets from him for my trail explorer.

Well, just to update everyone. AJ was out of town for a week or so it sounds like. We have a planned meeting next Wednesday. I did explain that I was a part of this group, and willing to offer up my X to mock some of the parts up, we will see what happens when I meet up with him on Wednesday.

Also, I plan to have a new rear bumper done up while there. I was in a very minor parking lot accident, but my rear bumper has been dented and pushed in slightly, so I am planning on having him make me a rear bumper that is a combo between the front and rear. I want it to have towhooks and a tow receiver, but also have it wrap around the sides to replace the stock Chrome Side skirts like the front one does.

Once I meet with him, I'll post everyone on where he's at and what's up.

Well guys, some bad news. My roomate just told me he's moving out at the End of the month, and since I've still got another 4 months in my contract, I have to pass on getting my bumper made right now, at least until things loosen up a little.

I did notify AJ, and explained that I am hoping I can still talk to him and let him take measurements for parts so that you guys can order from him.

Out of curiousity, what all is everyone interested in from him? I could try and get pricing from him to if you guys tell me what you want (and he still wants to meet).

Originally posted by Cali' Explorer
Out of curiousity, what all is everyone interested in from him? I could try and get pricing from him to if you guys tell me what you want (and he still wants to meet).
An affordable wristed radius arm for SFA Fords!

okay, that is just me..........but I am interested

I would be interested, the only thing holding me back is place to do the fab work. (read no garage)

but if I had a kit to do it I could use a friends place.

just would have to find an approprate front axle. maybe out of a rubicon, factory locker.

Tim

Sorry I haven't posted sooner, been a hectic week.

Anywho, I talked to AJ, explained the situation, he's cool. I talked to him about making the parts and taking measurements, he said he's opening a shop out here soon. From the conversation, it sounds like it would be a side job shop, but he told me to give him a call in about a month when the shop was open and he would take my X, put it up and take measurements.

For those of you who don't know, AJ makes all sorts of custom parts for the Toyota Tacoma. Anyone who has worked on a Taco will realize that the Taco and Explorer drivetrain/suspension are VERY similar overall. He offers a full SAS kit (very easy to install overall, my friend recently did one and it took him and about 2 or 3 other guys 1 1/2 days to do the whole thing).

Right now, he's mostly talking about doing rock sliders, I guess that's what he's gotten the biggest request for on Explorer's. Now, if you're interested in his various other parts, explain to him that you heard about him through this board and you would like to get some parts. Then, when my X is in, he can take the necessary measurements for everything.

His prices are very competitive, and if you look at his website, he does excellent work. I would definately recommend him just based on his prices alone, but like I said, talk to him yourself and see, seems like a nice guy overall too.

Keep me up to date as well on who has and has talked to him, as well as what you all are looking for so that I know what to expect when he does want me to bring in the X for Measurements. Also, my X is a '97... I am assuming that the '96 through '01 Explorer's are all the same suspension wise, but if I am incorrect, please tell me. Thanks.

They need to keep us posted on if they will offer the sliders and to what years/models of Ex.

After hearing that Gloria's sliders were a PITA and problematic some time back... I am looking at sliders from elsewhere.

If they'd be interested in the Sport Trac...

Whether he would make some for the Sport Trac or not I can't say. You're best bet is to contact him, because at least at that point he knows you're looking for some.

My guess is that right now he wouldn't be doing Sport Trac one's simply because the frame is different. He would need a similar sport trac so he could take the necessary measurements before he could begin new sliders. But give him a call (actually, E-Mail is probably better, its listed in the "Contact" section of his website (www.bentup.com).

Beyond that I couldn't personally say because I don't think a regular explorer and a Sport Trac have a similar enough frame for Regular Explorer sliders to work.

how bout these things fitting a ranger?

Andrew

RedRanger... he is willing to make parts for any vehicle. The only issue is, he needs a similar vehicle to take measurements from. In your case, you should definately contact him directly... he may be able to tell you where to take measurements.

I know Explorer's and Ranger's are similar in some ways, but I think the frame's are slightly different (Thus why a 5.0 will fit an X (Barely) but not a Ranger).

Thanks Steven,

I will e-mail him soon then. Yeah... the frame dissimilarity between X's and Sport trac's is a big point; I will have to research a bit more;

I do know that I have a 'strengthened' Ranger frame... thickened and strengthened in spots with the same basic frame and wheelbase of a super cab Ranger (125.7 inches I believe). But because of tupperware and full rear doors (a la the () shape) I haven't gotten any good conclusions on what Ranger frame-oriented bolt-on's will fit.

Any update on this?

I second that, is there any update on this? SO does the SAS kit come with the front hanger,rear hanger,ifs box mount & frame sleeves,and shock hoops all for $235 or around that price depending on vechicle.I would like to do the setup with springs. If it does i will definately call him up and order this. Hope i this can be updated. Matt




:

Hey all. Sorry, no update yet. This semester at school has been way more hectic than I thought it would be.

Thanks for the reminder, I will give AJ a call this week one day (can't get ahold of him by E-Mail normally and he only accepts Cell Calls in the evening). Once I have gotten ahold of him, I'll ask where things are at.

It looks like the majority of you are interested in the sliders and the SAS kit. Is there anything else in particular people are interested in, just so I can pass it all on to him (and maybe tell him about this thread so he can talk to you, his potential customers, directly).

I'll update you as soon as I have an update from him. Thanks again for the reminder.

Thanks for the quick reply. I want to get a SAS started in like a month or two and it would make my job alot easier to have that kit for the springs and everything. I will be watching for the update. Matt

I'd be interested in a set of the double square rocker skids. I sent AJ an email this morning but if he doesn't respond perhaps you can let him know that there is more interest for his skids.
Thanks, Dave.