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2002 Sport Trac SAS

Discussion in 'Solid Axle Swap Registry' started by chad551, September 15, 2009.

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    1. chad551

      chad551 Well-Known Member

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      The wagoneer axle is close to the same width, the best option is an axle from an early bronco, they are a little narrower, but harder to find from my experience and more $$$$. Wagoneer axles are pretty easy to find and cheap. Plus if you do a leaf setup the axle is already setup for leafs. Follow this link for Dana 44 info. http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Dana44.htm

      I do not have ABS any longer in my truck, and to be honest I dont really notice a difference. At some point I would like to remove the ABS module from the engine bay, for more space but I developed a "it if works, leave it alone attitude" since I did the SAS. This attitude holds true that I may not even mess removing the leafs and doing a linked setup. Like I said the leafs work so why bother.

      As for the hubs I have Warn manual hubs, that are a stock item at Advance Autoparts, Autozone ,etc. So I have to get out and manually engage the hubs for 4 wheel drive. I did this so in the event I break a chromoly axle or CTM u joint I can disengage that wheel and limp out of a trail in 3 wheel drive, and drive it home. Plus it saves MPG when daily driven, since I am turning the axles and t-case.

      For my center caps, they are a 2 piece design so I just took my dremel and opened the inside of the plastic center cap so it slides over the hub. It just looks better IMO. I still have the outer peice that has the wheel manufacturers name on it. But I still have the same switch in the cab to engage the transfer case. And I have switches for the ARB compressor and locker.
       
      chad551, March 22, 2011 Top of Page
      #81

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    3. chad551

      chad551 Well-Known Member

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      I dont think I am any expert on SAS, and would hate to tell you the wrong thing for what would be in your best intrest, because I honestly dont know.

      My truck drives great with leafs. I know some people may not like reading this, but I can still do 80-100 MPH all day long if I wanted to and it is very stable... I dont do that though as I usually always have my son with me.

      I am sure you could build a linked setup, and put a sway bar on it, and it will be fine. The decision is ultimately how much you want to spend and how much fab work you are prepared to do.

      Would I love to have a linked setup with some bling coilover shocks? You bet I would!!!! But I also have alot of things I could spend that $2k bucks on to.

      I think my next mods for my truck will be an Atlas T-case, an ARB locker for the rear, and I am seriously considering the STS turbo kit :burnout:
       
      chad551, March 22, 2011 Top of Page
      #82
    4. bats

      bats Active Member

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      Man, that is a beautiful truck. I almost regret not searching harder for one when I was in the market for a new ride but the nice ones around here are ridiculously expensive and almost as rare as a BII. (Bought an 89 Land Cruiser instead.) It's also nice seeing it get dirty despite it being relatively young. Great work! :thumbsup:
       
      bats, March 22, 2011 Top of Page
      #83
    5. MidnightRebel07

      MidnightRebel07 Elite Explorer

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      I think I'll stick with my original plan and just go leafspring setup simply for the stability over the linked setup. My wife drives it so I want it as safe as I get make it for the roads around here. Plus with a kid on the way I need to keep the costs down. Thanks again for the help.
       
      MidnightRebel07, March 22, 2011 Top of Page
      #84
    6. mjenk430

      mjenk430 Member

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      mjenk430, March 25, 2011 Top of Page
      #85
    7. crazyflights

      crazyflights Elite Explorer

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      Any picks of the new kicks.
       
      crazyflights, March 25, 2011 Top of Page
      #86
    8. chad551

      chad551 Well-Known Member

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      That is the kit, and yes it is more expensive.

      Brad I will get pics of the new tires in the morning.
       
      chad551, March 25, 2011 Top of Page
      #87
    9. chad551

      chad551 Well-Known Member

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      New shoes!!!!!!!!

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]
       
      chad551, April 5, 2011 Top of Page
      #88
    10. chad551

      chad551 Well-Known Member

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      And I made some new parts. So I can fix my goof..

      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]



      [​IMG]

      [​IMG]
       
      chad551, April 5, 2011 Top of Page
      #89
    11. chad551

      chad551 Well-Known Member

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      And I made some new shackles too....

      [​IMG]


      [​IMG]
       
      chad551, April 5, 2011 Top of Page
      #90
    12. chad551

      chad551 Well-Known Member

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      This is prolly not the place to show it, but here is my new toy...

      [​IMG]


      [​IMG]
       
      chad551, April 5, 2011 Top of Page
      #91
    13. turboexplorer

      turboexplorer Elite Explorer

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      Love new tires! Looks good and I am jealous of your new toy. Can make a lot of parts with that. :)

      Also still surprised that the mount being a hair off affects the articulation or cycle of the front so much.
       
      turboexplorer, April 5, 2011 Top of Page
      #92
    14. Glen4X4

      Glen4X4 Explorer Addict

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      All looks good Chad, I like the tires :D
       
      Glen4X4, April 5, 2011 Top of Page
      #93
    15. DB_1

      DB_1 Elite Ranger Elite Explorer

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      How do you like that Porta-band set-up? I was thinking of doing that someday myself.
       
      DB_1, April 5, 2011 Top of Page
      #94
    16. chad551

      chad551 Well-Known Member

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      I am not sure how much the improper mounting of the shackle mounts affect articulation, but it is not perfect, and that is what I expect of myself.

      I like the Porta-band table mount. It works really well, not sure how good the mitre guide will work since the band saw blade flexes a little. But I got the porta-band for 150.00 and it was brand new. Kinda could not pass it up. So now I can make all my own brackets with the saw or my plasma cutter... Wife says I have issues with collecting tools... I always thought the guy with the most tools wins :dunno:
       
      chad551, April 5, 2011 Top of Page
      #95
    17. crazyflights

      crazyflights Elite Explorer

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      Why did you change from Km2's? better price??
       
      crazyflights, April 5, 2011 Top of Page
      #96
    18. chad551

      chad551 Well-Known Member

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      I was not happy with the performance of the KM2 tires. They were fine on dry terrain and rocks, but when it was muddy, they just packed up with mud and got me stuck. Remember how many times I was stuck at your place? The snow performance was marginal at best, and in rain they were just ok. These Nittos have been great so far. I have already ran them in snow and rain. And the difference is very noticeable, plus at 280.00/tire to my door was great. And they are very quite on the road, which suprised me somewhat.
       
      chad551, April 5, 2011 Top of Page
      #97
    19. mjenk430

      mjenk430 Member

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      Hey Chad, I'm working on my 02 ST SAS and I was curious how far forward does your axle sit from its stock location? I have tacked my front and rear mounts onto the frame as far back as possible (radiator in front, body mount in rear) and according to my measurements I am 4in further forward than stock.
       
      mjenk430, May 15, 2011 Top of Page
      #98
    20. crazyflights

      crazyflights Elite Explorer

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      few pics for you buddy :)

      [​IMG]
      [​IMG]
      [​IMG]
      [​IMG]
       
      crazyflights, May 15, 2011 Top of Page
      #99
    21. gmanpaint

      gmanpaint Back in 5 minutes Staff Member Moderator Elite Explorer

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      People freak out when they see your rig. Heck I have a hard time getting over how big that thing is, and I have been around it many times now....LOL

      Looking good Chad :thumbsup:
       
      gmanpaint, May 15, 2011 Top of Page
      #100
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