01 STrunner's Sport Trac

[MidnightRebel07]

Chck out ruffstuff.com for the steering parts.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/

Gman is using this setup... I think I may get it too.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/YLINK.html

 

[Dolbs4082]

Awesome Midnight! thats pretty much the same thing i posted in my link, except cheaper i think (and it included the tubing!)

Im thinking that i'll most likely order that set up.

But do you think that it will clear the soa with out a high steer set up?

 

[01STrunner]

Well it's official, I'm now a member of the SAS Trac club! I got the truck back down to SC this past weekend. It drives great and can do a steady 75 mph but is much more comfortable at 65mph. The gearing helped to adjust my speedo closer to correct. Its now showing 4mph faster but I will adjust that using the ScanGauge. I still have to climb under and check out the transmission crossmember and get dimensions for a front driveshaft. That's probably going to be the last thing for a while as work and crew is getting crazy, taking all of my time. If you have questions about any of the setup ask away. Enough talk, here's some pics.

 

[01STrunner]

I'd say the trackbar and sway bar work well at what they are supposed to do. The truck is solid at speed, in crosswinds and around semis. Quick disconnects and a track bar removal will be in store soon.

 

[RyansX]

Looks great man! I'm so jealous!

 

[01STrunner]

I also need to get some urethane bushings for the leaf springs. I had 17" of travel at the wheels before they were torqued down and now I'm down to about 12" which is still a ton more than it used to have but I want the maximum amount of flex out of it. The shocks are great too. They're Bilstein 5100's made for a JK with 6" lift. I think they're 10" travel, I can't remember now as it's been a while.

$40 extra got me hi-steer over getting separate parts (pretty much same parts from the same company) so I decided to go with that. Much cleaner looking and much better steering angle. The steering box is from a Super Duty hooked up to the stock pump. The box is 4 turns lock to lock vs. the stock rack & pinion that is 2.5. The wheels turn so much easier and there is a lot less strain on the pump now to turn the 35s. Only thing is I'm turning the wheel like crazy while parking and tight places but that is a small price to pay in my eyes.

Also, the 4.88s were a perfect match. The effective gearing is just a little lower than my stock 4.10s but I love how it drives compared to the 4.10s and 35s, it actually has a little get-up-and-go.

 

[01STrunner]

Looks great man! I'm so jealous!

Thanks man! It took a long time but it's great to have it back in my hands.

 

[LONO100]

Looks great bro, I'm so jealous but super happy for you at the same time! Just keep feeding us pics of that thing in action and represent on the trails for all of us sport trac guys. Can't wait to get my conversion going, hopefully in October.

 

[01STrunner]

Looks great bro, I'm so jealous but super happy for you at the same time! Just keep feeding us pics of that thing in action and represent on the trails for all of us sport trac guys. Can't wait to get my conversion going, hopefully in October.

Thanks man I'll definitely keep em coming and start an SAS build thread with all my parts.
You sticking with IFS or going with TTB? Sorry I've been so busy, I've been away from the game for so long haha.

 

[theluke19]

Yes!!! That thing is a monster!! Congratulations!

 

[colintrax]

Man we're gonna need some better flex pics, you were flexing better than that with IFS and sway bars

 

[feared100]

That. Thing. Is. AMAZING. looks really nice! So you decide on tires yet haha?

 

[LONO100]

Right now the ttb has been ruled out since it would involve me dropping off my rig to a shop. A big reason why I want to do the conversion is that I'd like to document it in detail for the forum and for others in the future. I am leaning ifs still, but dang your trac making it easier to sit on the fence. I'll be ready to sit my trac down for a while in October, I'll let fate decide. If I find a good donor rig or the perfect axle for this conversion, whichever I find first, that's what I'll go with. I'd like to get it done for under 4k if possible. Again, your trac is looking great!

 

[LONO100]

Btw did you make your front cross member from scratch, or did you plug one in from an SAS kit? If it came from a kit, which one did you use?

 

[1-MEAN-X]

Looks sweet man. Only constructive criticism I have is I would move the spare from the roof to maybe bed mounted or one of those swing out tail gate mounts. Good work . I'd like to thumb through a build thread if you put one together (compare notes).

 

[Mike's brother]

Absolutely fabulous. I love your rig. Keep posting pics and letting us know how it performs.

 

[01STrunner]

Right now the ttb has been ruled out since it would involve me dropping off my rig to a shop. A big reason why I want to do the conversion is that I'd like to document it in detail for the forum and for others in the future. I am leaning ifs still, but dang your trac making it easier to sit on the fence. I'll be ready to sit my trac down for a while in October, I'll let fate decide. If I find a good donor rig or the perfect axle for this conversion, whichever I find first, that's what I'll go with. I'd like to get it done for under 4k if possible. Again, your trac is looking great!

Thanks again man. For retaining ABS I think your best option would be stick to the ifs like you said plus you can do it yourself. It's too bad you're in California or I'd send you all the parts off mine.

Btw did you make your front cross member from scratch, or did you plug one in from an SAS kit? If it came from a kit, which one did you use?

My cross member is a custom piece of 2x8 square stock capped on both ends.

 

[01STrunner]

Looks sweet man. Only constructive criticism I have is I would move the spare from the roof to maybe bed mounted or one of those swing out tail gate mounts. Good work . I'd like to thumb through a build thread if you put one together (compare notes).

Thanks a ton! You're rig is a beast and hope you can get it on some trails soon. As far as the tire that came off as soon as I got back to school. I just had it up on top because I had to fit my old wheels and some ifs parts in the bed so there was no room for it where it usually lives I. The bed under the cover out of sight and the weather.

 

[01STrunner]

Yes!!! That thing is a monster!! Congratulations!

Man we're gonna need some better flex pics, you were flexing better than that with IFS and sway bars

That. Thing. Is. AMAZING. looks really nice! So you decide on tires yet haha?

Absolutely fabulous. I love your rig. Keep posting pics and letting us know how it performs.

Thanks guys! I will definitely get some picture once I get my transmission cross member modified. I need to talk to chad and see what he did to get his driveshaft to work.

Colin, you might be right but I don't think it flexed that much. I can't wait to ditch the track bar. I kept it on there for safety sake on the 500 mile drive to school. Then some quick disconnects for the sway bar and urethane bushings for the springs.

Feared, I'm keeping my current tires until they're done. I think the 35s look good with it. I may go with a wider instead of taller tire next. I haven't decided but I don't think that'll be for another year or 2.

 

[LONO100]

Thanks for the info. I know, you and rebel would both have parts that I need for this. Can't wait yo get mine going. This summer I'll be building up our wrangler jk and getting it ready for the upcoming winter, and then in October I'll be sidelining the ST for the big conversion. I can't say enough how great your trac looks. It'll be feasting on trails!