Front Axle?

[GooseR]

ok, Im currently 2wd. I want to eventually convert to 4wd and do a sas, but dont have the money for all of it. If i was to buy a 4wd front axle ffrom a wrangler or something could i put it on the front and just not hook the front driveshaft up since i wouldnt have it yet and would it still run?

 

[Mbrooks420]

I don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

[GooseR]

ok, and about how much lift would an sas give me in the front?

 

[Mbrooks420]

Are you going with leaf spring setup, or coilovers? It all depends. If leaves you can have a custom leaf pack to get just about any height you'd wan't. Just a rough guestimate would be 4-6 inches+. A SOA would probably level it out decently. This all all just info I have read posted, however, and I have no SAS swap experiance, so I'm sure other more knowledgable members will have some information.

 

[GooseR]

ok, well i already have an SOA, and id probably go with the leafs like Lizard.

 

[Robb]

Once you get an axle under there, and get the steering set up correctly, you are 95% done (physically and financially) with a SAS. The only thing you would have left is gearing (locking maybe) of the axle itself.

You, only being 2wd, would still have a tcase/tranny output swap to do also, but that isn't much work as compared to doing the SAS.

You are still talking about a good chunk of change and a LOT of fab work just to get the axle under there and steer it.

As far as lift, depending on your setup, it can be anywhere from 4" to 10". It just depends.

 

[GooseR]

thanks robb that helped a lot. i can get the fron axle cheap so thats ok. But ive been reading that id need to Replace my Rear Drive Shaft and transmission. but the way you talk doesnt sound like i need too? Unless tranny output is the transmission? thanks for your help!

 

[GooseR]

Ok, with Lizardtracs input, a 5r55 Tranny with a 1354 manual t-case. then a ford ranger or explorer with double carden joints should work... then with either a d44 or d30 sas.. then...? leafs or coils? whats better ? thanks

 

[GooseR]

does any one know of certain vehicles that have d30 or d44? esp. ones i could find at a junk yard

 

[montanaexplorer]

not haveing done this on an explorer but have participated with full size trucks i offer another option

BUY A 4 WHEEL DRIVE EXPLORER

you will save thousands of dollars / hundreds of hours of work / and uncounted headaches and sprained brain cells

unless you are a master craftsman and mechanic [in which case i dont think you would have made this post]

its just not worth the hassle and head aches to go thru trying to get everything lined up properly and working

my two cents worth

 

[sk1er17]

well how much lift are you looking to get and what size tires?

Is it a DD or trail rig?

If its a DD.. it'd probably be a lot easier and cheaper to get a 4wd X, 4" superlift/TT/SOA/+3" BL depending on what size tires you're planning on running...

 

[Mbrooks420]

Swapping to 4wd isn't very hard, and certainly wouldn't take a hundred hours of work. All parts are basically bolt in, and will line up.

 

[GooseR]

Well, its already lifted with 33's. SOAm 3" spindles. Rubs too much though. and someone said it be easier to do an SAS, than switching out all of the 4x4 parts. it is my DD, not TR.. id prolly keep my 33s. maybe go up to 35's. I go Off roading like once a month b/c im 2wd. But I like the Extra clearance so i can do some harsh off roading. thats why im looking into the SAS. And im not even going to be doing this all at once. im going to install the Axle. then later down the road, put 4wd in.

 

[sk1er17]

i asked if it was DD because im not sure how many people on here use their SAS's explorers as DD's. I love the stability my X has even with 35's and wouldnt think about the SAS because i commute 100 miles a day with it..

Ive never done an SAS or 4wd conversion, so truthfully i dont know which is easier and less time consuming... but i figured id toss in my personal feelings on SAS for a DD and get you more confused with decisions






btw: got some pics of your rig?

 

[GooseR]

i asked if it was DD because im not sure how many people on here use their SAS's explorers as DD's. I love the stability my X has even with 35's and wouldnt think about the SAS because i commute 100 miles a day with it..

Ive never done an SAS or 4wd conversion, so truthfully i dont know which is easier and less time consuming... but i figured id toss in my personal feelings on SAS for a DD and get you more confused with decisions






btw: got some pics of your rig?

thanks for your help.. and yes, i do have pics.....

 

[sk1er17]

awesome X man.. lol theres just something i like about black&red

 

[Robb]

someone said it be easier to do an SAS, than switching out all of the 4x4 parts.

That is just bad advice. If you had a 1st Gen, I would almost agree, but with your truck, it is far from the truth.

On your truck, to do a SAS involves completely stripping EVERYTHING of the front suspension, steering, and crossmember out of the truck, and fabbing up ALL of the suspension, steering, and crossmembers from scratch. The #1 pita with this is the steering. Your truck uses a rac-n-pinion setup, when going over to a solid axle, you have to use a traditional steering box. This is not easy by any means.

With a truck that is going to be on the road 90% of the time (and might not see over 33" tires), I wouldn't suggest a SAS. Swapping in stock 4wd components would be much easier.

 

[GooseR]

What do you have to Weld to do an SAS?