2001 XLT D44-SAS

[NOTAJP]

The only time a buggy spring moves is when the suspension is unloaded. This is not possible on the street unless you have some four foot deep pot holes. The spring rates don't really matter. Most are home made from a stock spring anyway.

I'm unsure of the new frames but the 1st Gens are about 2" narrower than a wrangler so the springs hang half way outside of the frame. This makes for great stability, buy this will require building some good mounts for the buggy springs. That's the only reason I didn't do it at first, now I know I should have. Now I plan on just using the revolver shackles.

 

[cdsl227]

I think the 2nd Gen Frame is just a hair wider than the 1st Gen, I may be wrong.

From what I've seen the 2 Leaf Sprung 2nd Gen SAS'es the mounts were both a little offset to the outer edge from the frame rail.

I'm thinking of taking a shot with the Buggy Spring though...I've been reading up on them. They are a pretty sweet item.

 

[RattleSnake96]

NOTAJP- When you say Norco do you mean norco bikes. That would be chill since I have one.

cdsl227- This is lookin like a real good SAS. The buggy springs would be very nice.

PeAcE

 

[NOTAJP]

Originally posted by RattleSnake96
NOTAJP- When you say Norco do you mean norco bikes. That would be chill since I have one.

PeAcE

NORCO is actually a company that supplies welding and first aid products. They are huge out west.

 

[cdsl227]

Score! ?

Ok I lucked out I guess, I've got my 5-on-5.5 lug pattern...now I won't have to run with 2 spares.

I hunted down a 78 Full Width Bronco axle.

Since I didn't need the whole thing, and yeah I felt a little guilty about it, I had them cut off the outer ends so I wouldn't have to lug the whole damn thing home.

They're a little butt ugly, but some time with a wire wheel and they'll be good as new. I'll just have to get backing plates.

Here are a few shots of the springs I'll be using, 4.5" Rubicon YJ Extreme Duty 5 leaf packs with 2 added leafs.

 

[NOTAJP]

I wouldn't worry to much about backing plates. I haven't hit a rotor yet.

Those springs are huge!
You got me really curious now. I've got to get my X next to a 2nd gen to look at the frames.

 

[cdsl227]

Originally posted by DasFrem
If you want to keep the SAS as simple as possible with the least ammount of fabrication then EB coil setup like on Taxxman's would be the easiest of choices.

You have a garage to work in right?

For some reason I just wasn't feeling the coil setup.

The leaf setup caught my eye and I've been stuck on stupid since.

Personally, after ALL of the reading I've done- I think I could knock this one out (Leaf) no problem, but if I had to start figuring out what I'd have to do to get the right angles for the Radius Arms, not to mention you realy can't buy anything in NYC for this type of mod...it'd never get finished. I'd have to order every single little component, wait for them to come in and hope I made the right choices.

It's not like I can run back and forth to the nearest AutoZone to get stuff...the only thing you can get in AutoZone up here is Rice!

The only rough part of this is going to be steering links...everything else I can fabricate to get everything mounted solid.

When I get to the cutting part I'll be evicting my friend from his garage...then I'll have to kidnap him to help with the stripping and cutting...by the time we're done with that he'll be toast, 3 sheets to the wind.

Putting it back together I'll have the entire setup all worked out with multiple scenarios already mapped out so I can roll right through it.

I've already looked over a number of Buggy Leaf Mounting setups...I'm going to give it a shot, I think they'll work out, but as a last resort- I'll have spring hangers already fabbed up waiting to go.

 

[cdsl227]

Originally posted by NOTAJP
I wouldn't worry to much about backing plates. I haven't hit a rotor yet.

Those springs are huge!
You got me really curious now. I've got to get my X next to a 2nd gen to look at the frames.

P.S. 1100 posts

Jeez, he's got a finished SAS thread and he's fiending for posts!

By the way- Thanks to everyone for the great info you've been passing on!!

I knew this site was the **** as soon as I found it!

 

[NOTAJP]

Originally posted by cdsl227
Jeez, he's got a finished SAS thread and he's fiending for posts!

Boy, thanks! Can just feel the love around here.

 

[cdsl227]

Awww...c'mon, just kiddin, there's nothing but love here!- I see you picked up another 12 posts!

I figure if I can grab a pair of backing plates quick enough to get'em before I rebuild the axle they'll go on...if not I can see I'll be getting a few warped rotors from splashing through the puddles.

SO- since the Bronco had bigger brakes- I think, what's the path to beef up the brakes in the 8.8 rear?

 

[NOTAJP]

I know you were kiddin. So was I.

You're brakes would have to be petty hot before hitting the puddle to really make a difference. Bronco rotors are quite heavy duty anyway. You could swap your rear brakes out for a set from an F150, then just have the axles made with the 5x5.5 bolt pattern ($100 ea.). Or go with a Wilwood kit but that'll run about $600.

 

[JoshC]

Originally posted by cdsl227
Putting it back together I'll have the entire setup all worked out with multiple scenarios already mapped out so I can roll right through it.

If something comes up and you can't roll through it, do you have something else to drive?

Sounds like you're really planning this out, that's good.

 

[cdsl227]

Originally posted by JoshC
If something comes up and you can't roll through it, do you have something else to drive?

Sounds like you're really planning this out, that's good.

My girls Geo Storm, ewww.....

That'd be her perfect excuse for me to find an old Chevelle to buy her...I think the Geo would last about oh ummm- 1 day with me.

I'm going to take a look at that Wilwood kit and see what it's about, if it's bolt on- well hey that sounds good to me! I'm not fond of have to cut axles it's bad enough I have to find work arounds for everything...I'd hate to be down for weeks waiting for an axle to be modded and shipped in.

 

[NOTAJP]

The Wilwood kit is bolt on. Here's the eBay store I was looking at. Also did a search on the interent for Wilwood and came up with several.

edit:
here's the kit . You will need the one with 2.5" back spacing. The kit can be upgraded to cross drilled rotors and 5x5.5 bolt pattern.

 

[cdsl227]

Thanks for the info!

I've got the donor main leaf. It's 2 1/2" a little heavier than 1/4" I'd imagine I haven't measure for gauge...but the guy at the spring shop said it'd be more than fine.

Closed ends, new leaf so the bushings are new, it's just been in the rack for a while...

Ok now- any thoughts on the slicing??

I'm figuring about 15 inches each, in a small channel.

That should give me enough meat to bolt to the mounts I'll be fabbing AND give me enough room to leave a few inches so they give a little at full droop.

Opinions, recommendations- comments???

 

[NOTAJP]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Looks like a pre '88 Chevy main leaf off of a half ton front end.

 

[cdsl227]

The Man KNOWS his leafs!!

Damn, you work in a spring shop or something?

Right on the nose...that's what it is.

 

[NOTAJP]

Originally posted by cdsl227
The Man KNOWS his leafs!!

Damn, you work in a spring shop or something?

Right on the nose...that's what it is.

LMAO! I just happen to recognise it. That should work perfectly as those springs had a lot of flex available.

 

[cdsl227]

And- a little extra added side note:

I ordered the Master Overhaul Kit, 4.56 Gear Set, and an ARB Locker for the front axle. Ka-Ching! $865.00

Liam at Randys Ring and Pinion said I'll probably see it in about 3 days.

I'm going to order a Master Overhaul Kit, 4.56 Gear Set and an ARB for the rear in about 2 weeks, the Ka-Ching for that's going to be - $920.00

I'm going to try and get the front axle together as quick as possible...I'm dying to try out that gallon of POR15 I've got!

Slowly, but surely- I'm getting there!

 

[cdsl227]

The mounts for the Buggy Leafs I'm fabbing are going to have a bolt across the channel to limit travel...I'd hate to have it flex too much and snap at the bolt point...so I figure I'd let it drop 2 - 2 1/2 inches and halt it there.