Hey - just figuring I'd post this up here.
So, one issue with doing solids on a 4th Gen (or Gen2 ST) is how the rear CVs go through the frame - so you'd have to lift at least 10" if you wanted good travel and no axle-frame contact.
But I was thinking, and on my ST there is actually a gap between the bottom of the bed and the top of the frame rails (felt around with my hand earlier today). So, one could potentially cut out that bit of the frame (just like a 10-20" section), fab up some angular steel, weld that, then run the rear axle in that little alcove you've created in the frame.
You'd probably have to reinforce it a good bit and get it welded really well, but I'm just thinking because I'd love to do a dual SAS on my ST eventually, but I really am not a fan of massively lifted trucks with 38+" tires where the top of tires is like 6" below the floorpan (which is how it would be more or less without frame mods).
Just for reference, here's a 3rd Gen frame (a lot like ours with the cut-outs in the frame):
Here's basically what I'm thinking (the red bit, just pops up like 3-5" from the rest of the frame, then goes back to normal height before the rear bumper)
Also, it seems this sort of practice is done by street/lowrider types (not the best example, I know - they tend to just mod for show and not strength, but principle's the same).
Here's a link to where they did a frame mod similiar to what I was thinking on an Gen1 Ex. Notice how they popped the rear floor up to compensate, which is a bit obnoxious I'll admit, but, assuming this is possible while still retaining the strength to do serious offroading, I think it's worth it just so one could have a more reasonable dual-SAS rig with like 35-36" tires and 5-7" of lift instead of 10" of lift.
Comments?
I know So Cal said he liked IFS/IRS, but personally, dual SAS is a better route for me because I lack stock 4x4.
