S-series SASs

[special-K]

I have always toyed with building an S15, S15, or Sonoma the way I want...like a small version of the big truck. I guess thy became that in '88 with trucks gig to IFS, but I'm talking back the other way. So what front axle would I use? I always figures a Jeep axle would be about right for width. Should be pretty easy to find a Dana 44 with how the market is flooded with Rubicons.

I just thought I'd start a thread for discussion/info on these mini trucks kicking it up a notch. I think about building one real clean to look like it could have been factory (my favorite style of custom) or the other send of the spectrum and build one for trails, etc. I was thinking yesterday about starting with a longbed, bob the frame, and build a flatbed trail rig. I want a GM and the smaller size is a big advantage.

[b454rat]

years ago I had a 93 Blazer I wanted to SAS. Thanks to a *****y ex-wife never happened. I did a lot of checking, searching and asking questions. You can use Jeep YJ axles, but they are Dana 30 front 35 rear, but getting tough to find, but a Dana 44 rear from a Cherokee would be awesome. Jeep wagoneer 44s front and rear will work, but need to find right ones, without vacuum disconnect, and made both driver and pass drops. Can't remember years of what was what. I wanted to use early bronco axles, they are touch narrower, but look more proportionate once under. Course these are the toughest to find now. Guess it would depend what you want and how it to look. They can be done with very little lift, or sky high. Low lift require shackle to be upfront, which can make for a harsh ride.

[mongocanfly]

long ago I looked and thought about it in mine...seems like the cherokee was the goto for that swap...2nd choice is the little bronco like 454rat says

[b454rat]

Problem with Cherokee's is the coil spring suspension. It can be done, but it's a lot of work. Same with the bronco's, but the C wedges are welded on, so can be ground off easy enough, more than enough room to weld perches on.

[AJBert]

Late 70's Ford F250's Dana 44 up front with driver's side drop will work, too. Rubicon's will work but plan on paying big $$$'s for those. If you really plan on wheeling it try to find a ZR2 rear end. 8.5 or 8.625" ring but the axle is almost 4" wider than non ZR2 axles.

[special-K]

Thanks for all the info. I figure it's no use looking for a Bobtail Bronco front end. Those were only later and have been sought after for years by Bronco guys. I don't know why a Rubicon front axle would be all that expensive. Those would just be a junkyard front axle being so common and plentiful. I don't want full width axles, even under a full-tilt trail rig. I want the advantage of the smaller size, lighter weight, and narrower track. I am leaning mostly toward a more refined truck with tires that fit under the body and a lift that sets it like any other stock or minor lifted solid axle 4wd. Think of the early Toyota 4wd trucks.

[b454rat]

I think the newer jeeps are gonna be too wide. Stock width on S-10 axles is I believe 60" wide. It sounds like your not into hard core wheeling, so Jeep YJs axles would be fine. Prolly get em cheap since they are upgrading anyways. You'd have to search, but there is many builds where people have done SAS and still kept it low, like 2-3" maybe over stock. Enough to run 31s. Need to run the shackle up front, but that is the ticket for a low slung lift. Prolly the easiest as well. I'll see if I can find it and link it.

[mongocanfly]

I know its not what your looking for but....there was a local guy that had a s10 and its frame sitting on top of a jeep frame and axles...frame on top of frame...i know it had a v8 in it....it had sizable tires on it and actually didn't look all that bad...I never could catch up to him to ask about it...

[special-K]

I wondered how much wider the newer jeep axles were. I guess the most civilized version I would want 2-3" taller than stock. About like a ZR2 but level

[b454rat]

One thing I forgot was you could go spring under. But, need to use lift springs or don’t even think the axle will fit between frame and springs. Many used rancho 44044 4” lift spring for a wagoneer. But imo it’s like a step backwards doing this, need to lift it to lower it type thing. Stagewest made an SAS kit for these in the early 2000s, based it off YJ springs, but course they could be taylered bout any way you want.

[$20071k10]

off road direct offers a bolt on kit. check it out it lists the axles you can use.

[special-K]

Is that www.solidaxleconversions.com ? Thanks!

[b454rat]

Saw that other day, n now got me wanting n S-10 again lol. G/F would kill me, besides can’t get what I have done lol. One thing did notice on that kit, says 5” over stock. Not sure if it said you could use stock springs.

[andyh1956]

You want a set of 44s from an IH Scout 2. Passenger side drop so you can hook the transfer case to your transmission. I've never done an S10 but have done two Chevy Luvs. One w/ Scout 44s & another w/ K5 running gear! What a blast!
Have fun, it's worth it!
You can also divorce mount a Dana 20 if you don't want to deal with the transmission.

[abig84]

i put full sized k5 blazer axles on mine, i love the wide axles, saves a lot of damage from hitting trees and rocks. also the k5 np208 transfercase bolts right up to the s10 transmission so you can run the passenger side drop front axle

i built this truck like 10 years ago and have had minimal issues with it, worst breakage i get is it likes to snap the steering gear box bolts every few years but just keep extra with me.





so even with the stock rims and tires on it they probably stick out to far for street use

[andyh1956]

Too wide for street use?
Naw, it's no wider than the truck the axles came from...Officer...
How come that door don't match?
Man, thems the kinda trucks you can have Fun with!

[special-K]

Them axles ain't no wider than most trucks out there officer. Maybe you need to look and see if you got a ticket in thar for me havin' a truck what's too narry.

[b454rat]

And Maryland has a law for tires that stick out do they not? I remembered when I was stationed there, I saw a lifted square with 42s, and they didn't stick out. Looked goofy IMO.

[special-K]

Yep, tread can't stick out from body at the top. But historic or Street Rod tags on it you from inspections, so cps can't ticket you. I just want an S10 set up like an every day solid axle full-size with 4" lift and 35s. Not sky high and all tire. Like when you saw the first 4wd converted minis before factory 4wd. I always wanted to do a LUV back then. Just 10.50s look good. More like the truck here than the Blazer in the picture. Most go all out when going SAS and I want to hold back the reins.

[abig84]

Originally Posted by andyh1956

Too wide for street use?
Naw, it's no wider than the truck the axles came from...Officer...
How come that door don't match?
Man, thems the kinda trucks you can have Fun with!

i believe thats the truck's 3rd set of doors since i owned it. still have one more back up pair left

i always thought it would be fun to drive this thing on the road but, no plates, lights, wide tires and the other 30 violations this thing has i know better then to let it leave the yard

[special-K]

Something like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaBypDgnxXI

[b454rat]

he has more into that than our house.....

[special-K]

Rich dumb sum***** if you ask me.

[sweetk30]

all i can add to this bit of info is

i installed a BDS 5.5" lift for a guy 1 time on a s10 pickup . . . . . NEVER AGAIN !

all that work and modifications just do a SAS and be done !

not that ifs lifts suck as most are fairly easy to install and that BDS makes great stuff . its just the ifs system on a s10 is super tight and cramped up .

[CG]

Originally Posted by special-K

Something like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaBypDgnxXI

I don't understand posting a video like this on YouTube. Isn't that all the evidence the police need to toss this guy and his ride in jail?