Project: Mount Midoriyama

[Nick Blowe]

Picked up a 1997 Murcury Mountaineer 5.0L/Awd for $500.
Decided to do a sas conversation to get a larger tire under it and because I just can't leave anything stock. I don't plan on wheeling or off-roading at all. To save some people the hassle or to prevent an unpleasant reply, I could care less about the opinion of people that don't approve or that would do things differently. I'm posting for those who can benefit from my build.

Build parts list so far,

Front:
Dana 30 out of Jeep Cherokee
Ruffstuff DYI long arm kit
Ruffstuff Ylink steering kit
Ruffstuff Pan hard kit
Rusty's offroad 5.5 XJ springs
James Dunn Ford Bronco coil buckets
Custom mounts/brackets

Rear:
63 Springs

 

[Nick Blowe]

 

[97-5.0]

Sexy

 

[WormsExplorer]

WOW That is a good looking build. Wanting to watch how this one goes. I also have a 97 5.0 and a D30. Still Debating if I wanna do it or not.

 

[mic98xlt]

Very interesting and nice! Subscribing

 

[bigred4x4]

Nice! Looking forward to the finished project would love to SAS myself someday I have all the equipment just not the money for all the parts, and time.you should post costs as your build progresses, welds looking pretty good too! Dana 44 would be ideal for me but the 30 build seems easier and I don't think many people have too many problems with these axles especially when there built up.

 

[Nick Blowe]

Thanks for everyone's comments, I only have two full days in to this build. I plan to pick up the f150/bronco gear box, pitman arm and full set of bilstein's shocks this week. I have already cut extra metal out with the plasma, so if I come up with extra time one afternoon this week I will try and finish fabing a new crossmember back between the motor mounts.

@bigred4x4 -

$120 for the xj D30

Spent $749 with ruffstuff on long arm kit, Ylink steering, panhard kit, and 8.8 axle perchs (saved $100+ using there coupons)

Rusty's 5.5 xj springs on clearance $75 (pair)

James Dunn Bronco coil buckets $95 (Not recommend, ended up cutting them up to fit properly and still have to finish boxing them in to bring the strength back)

Chevy 63 Springs $Free from a friend

Total invested so far. Definitely cheaper options but I liked the idea of the long arm suspension.

 

[BLUEBERRY]

Thanks for everyone's comments, I only have two full days in to this build. I plan to pick up the f150/bronco gear box, pitman arm and full set of bilstein's shocks this week. I have already cut extra metal out with the plasma, so if I come up with extra time one afternoon this week I will try and finish fabing a new crossmember back between the motor mounts.

@bigred4x4 -

$120 for the xj D30

Spent $749 with ruffstuff on long arm kit, Ylink steering, panhard kit, and 8.8 axle perchs (saved $100+ using there coupons)

Rusty's 5.5 xj springs on clearance $75 (pair)

James Dunn Bronco coil buckets $95 (Not recommend, ended up cutting them up to fit properly and still have to finish boxing them in to bring the strength back)

Chevy 63 Springs $Free from a friend

Total invested so far. Definitely cheaper options but I liked the idea of the long arm

Thanks for everyone's comments, I only have two full days in to this build. I plan to pick up the f150/bronco gear box, pitman arm and full set of bilstein's shocks this week. I have already cut extra metal out with the plasma, so if I come up with extra time one afternoon this week I will try and finish fabing a new crossmember back between the motor mounts.

@bigred4x4 -

$120 for the xj D30

Spent $749 with ruffstuff on long arm kit, Ylink steering, panhard kit, and 8.8 axle perchs (saved $100+ using there coupons)

Rusty's 5.5 xj springs on clearance $75 (pair)

James Dunn Bronco coil buckets $95 (Not recommend, ended up cutting them up to fit properly and still have to finish boxing them in to bring the strength back)

Chevy 63 Springs $Free from a friend

Total invested so far. Definitely cheaper options but I liked the idea of the long arm suspension.

That’s a very difficult build I have done a sas with a friend whos was also a 97 but we did not have that much lift, how much were you able to get out of that setup??, also those are damn good welds nicely done sir!

 

[bigred4x4]

Not too bad just over a grand so far some people say they have 10k + in there SAS

 

[WormsExplorer]

Nice! Looking forward to the finished project would love to SAS myself someday I have all the equipment just not the money for all the parts, and time.you should post costs as your build progresses, welds looking pretty good too! Dana 44 would be ideal for me but the 30 build seems easier and I don't think many people have too many problems with these axles especially when there built up.

My Buddy has a 99 TJ that has a Dana 30 and an 8.8 in it. He is running 4.88's I think and 37's. Axles are holding up great. Also to top it all of has spacers to put the 5 on 5.5 from his JK on it. I drove it on one of our rock trails and she worked great. So I am planning to do a SAS with a dana 30. I am not one to Romp on the gas though also

 

[bigred4x4]

Yea and you can always truss the housing and put chromoly shafts in later on.