SAS - Good, Bad or dont care?

[SWSS]

Alright guys - I am in the process of putting a wish list for a project rig. I would like feedback as to see if the SAS needs to be done or is just a oooohhhh and aaaahhhh to be done.

It is a 4wd and will be used as such but if there is enough "goodies" for the IFS it may just stay...
what is everyones thoughts?

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

well if its hardcore offroading you plan on doing and your plan to lift it more that 6 inches with bigger tires than 35s than yea id do a SAS . why? durability IFS is weak as hell for the serious offroader it does fine in snow or mild "puddle jumping" but IMO SAS is much stronger better built (if done correctly) and is more mod friendly I.E lockers. downsides i think would be ride quality and $$ of course thats really the reason I or alot of other guys on here havent tackled it . it takes some cash for sure. I would do it for sure tho

 

[LittlePearl13]

Good.

http://www.off-roadweb.com/tech/1007or_fabworx_solid_axle_swap_kit_1998_chevy_tahoe/viewall.html

http://www.off-roadweb.com/tech/1012or_1_ton_1998_chevy_tahoe_update/index.html

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

GOOD! mine will be sitting on a solid front axle at some point. hoping to have the funds to start piecing it together this year (finally) atleast front and rear axles. have a couple options on fronts and price will decide that, rear is going to be a 14 bolt FF.

the factory IFS is over rated IMO. you can get better shafts that angle more than factory but those alone are $1200... money better spent on SAS

 

[purple 'hoe]

For a stock vehicle, or something that will never see trails/mud/rocks or whatever, then IFS is fine. If all you wanna do is go to the shopping malls then fine.

I do wheel my IFS truck. And I have broken countless parts. U-Joints, Hub's, CV Shafts. It's not AS bad as some like to say, but it's not what a good SFA set up is.

Mine will be SFA'd within the next year or two. Once I get a CTD 6 speed. Originally, I wanted to do a Driver side Dana60 with my NP241. But I'm reconsidering that idea, and using a Passenger side Dana60 with a Twin Sticked NP205. 14FF out rear. 37-39 inch tall tires.

A Solid Axle will always up perform a IFS truck off road. Maybe not with rid comfort, but were driving lifted trucks. You can't expect a good set ride anyways

A thing to remember, bigger is not always better. A good set up would be something lifted 6-10 inches over stock. Anything taller, and you start to have issues. Invest in some good steering components, and do a Hydroassist if needed. And learn to weld if you can't already, it will keep expenses down alot.

Also, SFA swaps can be for only a few grand. I don't know why everyone thinks it cost 10K alone. For 10K, I want a radius arm 4link set up with some top-notch parts.

 

[bowtiefreak]

for a lifted rig, good. For a street only DD truck, IFS is nice.

As mentioned, if you are handy and find used parts to rework, costs can be reasonable

 

[purple 'hoe]

Also, not only is it stronger, but you can add in things like traction devices in the front, and different transfer case's and do twin stick set up's. You'll have more flex with a Solid Axle.

 

[Ceejkay]

alot of this question really depends on what your planning to do with the truck. If you are hitting the mud and sand ifs will do just fine.. but if your thinking about rocks and such you might want to think about sas.. but once you go sas its more than an axle swap. if your wheeling hard enough to break ifs your tranny is gonna be your weak link next..

 

[bowtiefreak]

The traction aids in the front is a big one....along with suspension travel.

 

[purple 'hoe]

alot of this question really depends on what your planning to do with the truck. If you are hitting the mud and sand ifs will do just fine.. but if your thinking about rocks and such you might want to think about sas.. but once you go sas its more than an axle swap. if your wheeling hard enough to break ifs your tranny is gonna be your weak link next..

Sand maybe, since some of them run really good IFS set ups. But Mud, not really. Mud's insanely ******* a truck. But I really hate "mudding" and don't care for it too much

But I agree on the rock part. I still have not gone rock crawling with mine, since I know it will end out bad. I'll wait for my swap before I go hardcore wheeling.

I wheel mostly in snow, and I love it. I've broken more parts in mud/trail than anything. Snow is pretty fun. Not too ******* a truck, and it just cleans it's self up which is nice

Idk, My trans takes quite an abuse but it's doing fine. Build it right and you'll be fine. Maybe even before the IFS, I'd be more worried about the 10 bolt blow up.

 

[SWSS]

thanks for the replys and thoughts guys, makes me feel better knowing others would do an SAS.
Actually, i will SAS a project ride in the future make no doubt...if for no other reason because I cut my gears on a solid axles, chevy..just my preference.
Agreed on the ride quality but it wont be built for luxury (thats what the 10 2wd 'hoe is for) it will be built to go where ever and do what ever i or my son would like. it will be slow, methodical, and the cost will creep up but you guys know that! LOL. i will keep it close to 6" of lift, couple of Dana's. i may do old school cutouts to keep he cog low and tires tall, just depends on the project rig...

 

[purple 'hoe]

There's a lot of information out there on some of the other forums (GMFullsize and Pirate4x4 are big ones). Pirate is one of the largest off road sites. Anything you would need to know is there. And a lot of big name people post on there. Ian from xtreme4x4 will post from time to time on Pirate and GMFullsize I think.

I've done all of my research on pirate. It's helping me out a ton.

 

[JcKinney]

Future plans for my Yukon is SAS for sure