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Solid axle conversion

TC4x4

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So I am lookng at some pickups because I am going to be eventually buying one. They are the 90's and up style. I have had the 80's and 70's but a thinking that if i get this newer style I am going to do a solid axle conversion. I am sure that it is quite a big job to do but I want all your guys opinions about the build. What would I have to modify to do it also and what kind of suspension should I go with in the front,????

Thanks

chevy.jpg
 
I haven't seem many IFS rigs that reuse the coil springs when they go SFA, and most of those were mall-crawlers (waste of time/money, imo). It might be a cool way to go, though i don't know how it would affect performance. I know that jeeps ride a lot better since they started using coils. I can't really say witch flexes better, though...since jeeps have pitiful flex, anyway.
 
Also do you guys think that amout of work that has to be done is worth it in the end?
 
Its worth it if you like those trucks. Go to offroadunlimited.com. All the info you need is there. I did one a few years ago with a kit from them and it was done in a weekend. The hardest part was getting rid of the IFS junk.
 
Also do you guys think that amout of work that has to be done is worth it in the end?


I'm sure that depends on who you ask and how deep your pockets are. I'm going to be doing a solid axle swap in the spring. I have heard from numerous people that the ride quality is better after swapping to a solid axle. I'm sure that also depends on which front springs you use.

Plan to spend quite a bit though for the swap. You could fab up your own brackets and such if you are any good at fab work. I however don't have the means to do so. I will be buying my brackets. Offroad unlimited makes some, as does Sky manufacturing.
 
As far as sas swap go, its very easy. Take a look in the new body style section, been done quite a few times. You can buy or make brackets, either way has been done. I would personally buy skys kits. i would touch oru stuff. Way over priced!
 
I fail to see how the solid axle would improve ride quality. I've gone through fields in both and it's much more comfortable in a IFS rig. If I were to do a SFA swap I would do what I could to use coils, probably as a four link design. Coils flex oh so much better than leafs, leafs are stiffer by design, that's why trucks still have them on the rear. I don't know about reusing the coils that came with it, you may lose height like that, but you can chop and drop the coil buckets on the frame.

As far as being worth it really depends on the person and the vehicles intended use. If you are in love with that body style and don't want to just transfer frames, then yes. The way solid axles flex is superior than IFS for the purpose of rock crawling (there's also no CV joints to grenade while articulating). If it's a sand runner, then IFS is better.

Look under the front of a Jeep or early Bronco to figure out what all you're going to be changing. Those are the best stock apps that I can think of for reference.
 
Thanks for the resonses so far buys but I have more questions. Does anyone have anypics of coil springs and solid axle conversions. I just need to see some kind of picture so I have a something in my head. I am a visual learner, lol.
 
Also will I have to get a driver side differential for a solid axle?
 
what side is your current IFS on? I know all of the old Chevy's are passenger side drop, but if the IFS is drivers side you'll need a drivers side drop if you want to use the same t-case. Fords have drivers side drop solid axles.
 
Would it be hard to put a np205 transfer case from another junker truck into the newer chevy or would that not work so I could keep on the passengerside.?
 
Also will I have to get a driver side differential for a solid axle?


You will have to get a drivers side axle UNLESS you change out your transfer case to a passenger side drop


EDIT

I don't know about a 205 up to the 4l60e, i'm assuming. You can find a passenger side drop np241 which will bolt right up. Only problem is that they aren't very common. You can find them on early 90's blazers and suburbans. You will know because it has to have the VSS, vehicle speed sensor.
 

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