Converting 6lug to 8lug IFS - Tahoe
- Thread starter sparg93
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
Good question!!
A SFA (solid front axle) swap is about $10k for the quality of parts/work that I'm looking for. With that price tag, it's hard for me to justify that kind of money for an expedition rig that is NOT a rock crawler.
However, I would like the added piece of mind and strength of a 14bff in the rear and I personally would love an 8lug Tahoe b/c it stands out as somewhat unique. There is a 6lug 14b, but I've been told it's not as strong...but def an improvement to our 10bolt rears.
So...if its easy to convert 6 to 8 retainig the IFS, I may go that route. I know swapping the 1/2t IFS to 3/4t IFS is very difficult (after weaks of research, couldn't find one that completed it), so I'm wondering if just swapping for the lug pattern is possible.
However, I just spoke to my local 4x4 shop and I'm soooo tempted to complete the SAS.
A SFA (solid front axle) swap is about $10k for the quality of parts/work that I'm looking for. With that price tag, it's hard for me to justify that kind of money for an expedition rig that is NOT a rock crawler.
However, I would like the added piece of mind and strength of a 14bff in the rear and I personally would love an 8lug Tahoe b/c it stands out as somewhat unique. There is a 6lug 14b, but I've been told it's not as strong...but def an improvement to our 10bolt rears.
So...if its easy to convert 6 to 8 retainig the IFS, I may go that route. I know swapping the 1/2t IFS to 3/4t IFS is very difficult (after weaks of research, couldn't find one that completed it), so I'm wondering if just swapping for the lug pattern is possible.
However, I just spoke to my local 4x4 shop and I'm soooo tempted to complete the SAS.
preshus
Full Access Member
i'v ben wanting to do that also but its pricey right now for me . . . you buy its like wheel
spacers i think is what there called they convert just about any lug pattern and space
the wheel out you can get them different widths but from what i understood about it
thats what it dose . . . depending on what brand you want the price go from 50 to
couple hundred
---------- Post added at 12:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:59 AM ----------
im sorry not wheel spacers . . . wheel ADAPTERS lol i'v ben wanting spacers to so im still
stuck on that word
spacers i think is what there called they convert just about any lug pattern and space
the wheel out you can get them different widths but from what i understood about it
thats what it dose . . . depending on what brand you want the price go from 50 to
couple hundred
---------- Post added at 12:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:59 AM ----------
im sorry not wheel spacers . . . wheel ADAPTERS lol i'v ben wanting spacers to so im still
stuck on that word
correct, 8 lug front IFS, not a solid axle.
Preshus - wheel spacers/adapters are heavily frowned upon b/c of their failure rate...I personally would never run with them on my rig. However, I don't have any experience with them, but I think a few guys on here could comment with actual knowledge (mine is purely academic)
Preshus - wheel spacers/adapters are heavily frowned upon b/c of their failure rate...I personally would never run with them on my rig. However, I don't have any experience with them, but I think a few guys on here could comment with actual knowledge (mine is purely academic)
preshus
Full Access Member
sorry man just thoughted id throw it out there
steamroller
Full Access Member
I've not personally done it but the 6 lug unit bearing hubs that we have fit the 94-98 8 lug Dodge solid axles. Search for threads by Norcal4x4 on FSC and lumpdog on Pirate4x4 to confirm.
I know that's the opposite of what you want but that would mean the 8 lug Dodge hubs should work with the 1/2 ton IFS. Only issue I see is that on the Dodge axles the hubs are threaded and on ours the knuckles are threaded to hold them in.
If you're not gonna be abusing it a 6 lug 9.5" SF 14 bolt would be fine IMO, bolt right in and has several traction aids available.
Or convert the FF to 6 lug and disc brakes at the same time.
http://shop.virginia4x4.com/Bolt-on...rsion-Kit-14-bolt-6-lug-VA4X4-BR-BO-14B6L.htm
I know that's the opposite of what you want but that would mean the 8 lug Dodge hubs should work with the 1/2 ton IFS. Only issue I see is that on the Dodge axles the hubs are threaded and on ours the knuckles are threaded to hold them in.
If you're not gonna be abusing it a 6 lug 9.5" SF 14 bolt would be fine IMO, bolt right in and has several traction aids available.
Or convert the FF to 6 lug and disc brakes at the same time.
http://shop.virginia4x4.com/Bolt-on...rsion-Kit-14-bolt-6-lug-VA4X4-BR-BO-14B6L.htm
purple 'hoe
Full Access Member
You can do a good Solid Axle swap for way less than $10k. If you can weld/fabricate, you can do most of it yourself. Shackles are cheap. Use 52inch springs for the front (can be found on OOBS Chevy trucks). Just add in your shocks, and steering components. You can always add things in later (Hydroassist and such) if you need it.
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=788003
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1032349
Perfect examples. Search Pirate4x4. Most of the guys there do not have that much money into their trucks, they just fabricate and use what's know to work. Most of the time, those $50K rig's are usually hacked together. It's not about money, it's about your know-how.
As for wheel spacers. There's a good picture on Pirate about why not to run wheel spacers. I can't find it right now, but I'll post it up when I do. Just figure it's not safe.
SAS it, 14BFF it. No more worrys about it being weak.
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=788003
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1032349
Perfect examples. Search Pirate4x4. Most of the guys there do not have that much money into their trucks, they just fabricate and use what's know to work. Most of the time, those $50K rig's are usually hacked together. It's not about money, it's about your know-how.
As for wheel spacers. There's a good picture on Pirate about why not to run wheel spacers. I can't find it right now, but I'll post it up when I do. Just figure it's not safe.
SAS it, 14BFF it. No more worrys about it being weak.
kses123
kses123
This guy on another forum has gone 6 lug to 8 lug.
http://z71tahoe-suburban.com/iboard/index.php?showtopic=28209&hl=hummer+axle
http://z71tahoe-suburban.com/iboard/index.php?showtopic=28209&hl=hummer+axle
TTZ06
Full Access Member
how are you getting a 10k price tag?
