Minimum lift for 2nd Gen SAS?

[Nihil]

Later in the summer I'm considering putting a D30/44 under my 2nd Gen Explorer (4.0 SOHC, 5R55E).

I'll probably use a beefed up HP D30 from a 97-99 XJ since they are cheap and easy to find. The only thing I'm concerned about is having to lift it too high. I don't want to make it any wider, so top-heaviness is the issue.

I could always move the axle forward if need be to better clear the oil pan, but if I kept it about where the current axle is what would be the average minimum lift?

 

[FROADER]

Right around 6" of lift. I think Jefe had the lowest w/35s that I've seen on here. He even mocked it up with a 30.

Jefe's SAS thread

 

[rjcooperss396]

I think mine is about 4 inches above stock. Below is a picture of mine parked behind a stock one. I used D30 out of an '88 Cherokee. If you can find a 44 I'd go with that. I've broken 4 axles in the past 3 years. However, I only run stock axles and keep a spare with hub whenever I go wheeling. I can change them in about 15 minutes.

Also, like you mentioned I moved the axle forward when I did mine. If I remember correctly I moved it 1-1.5 inches so that I had the near the same clearance at the back of the fender with 33's as I did with the 31's. If I was going to run 35's I would have moved it a little more.

 

[Nihil]

Thanks guys. I figured it would have to be at least around 5 inches. I'm going with leaf springs, so I can really move it around wherever. I'm just trying to keep it low as it would mostly be for work, towing and recovery. Love the truck, just want to make it a bit stronger.

 

[rjcooperss396]

I also used leaf springs for mine.

You mentioned that you are doing this conversion for strength but I don't think it is any stronger. In fact I think the D30 I used is weaker than the old D35 that was in it. I only broke 1 half shaft on the D35 compared to 4 axles in the D30. The reason I did the conversion on mine was for the lift and to get more travel. If all you're out for is something stronger I'd look into stronger half shafts. If you want it stronger plus lifted go with the D44.

 

[Dweeberman]

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread, but rjcooperss396, how do you like the leaf spring swap? Would you have rather gone with a coil setup if you were to change it? My buddy is telling me to go leafs for the ease of the swap compared to coil's...but i was originally intending on doing a coil swap. I am about to be a poor college kid soon, so the overall cost is what i will need to look at now. Thanks in advance

 

[rjcooperss396]

I'm happy with mine, I think the leafs work great. I get 10 inches of straight up and down travel and I didn't pay for the leaf packs because a buddy gave them to me. They are stock Wrangler leafs and I used a combo of front and rear packs to make them. I think I ended up with 9 or 10 leafs.