SAS or no?

[Ron B]

tie rods are the enemy for IFS

YouTube - Hummer H2 Killed

nicely done -- posting an 8 yr old video we have all seen a thousand times proving that gm ifs shouldn't leave the mall parking lot.

Too much skinny pedal, 35's, a decent traction control system and an under-sized off the shelf tie-rod will do that sometimes. Yep a bummer for sure but a $100/20 min fix plus you can upgrade the tie-rods on any vehicle.

 

[coreys88burban]

nicely done -- posting an 8 yr old video we have all seen a thousand timesQUOTE]

im supossed to know the person asking about IFS has seen the video?

 

[Ron B]

you could be right, but I would imagine pretty much everyone who ventures into the dirt has seen this video many times because every time there is talk of hummers or ifs this video is posted. Yes, it's probably the most common thing to go in an ifs rig but still fairly rare and a simple fix.

As far as as a swap, if you have the extra money and are hitting some crazier than average terrain on a regular basis then maybe it's the thing to do. If it's daily driver and not a dedicated trail rig than it might not be worth while. Carry a few spares and tools (like you should anyway) and you'll be fine.

 

[cocco78]

Cocco, IMHO, to do a SAS RIGHT, it's gonna cost a whole heck of a lot more than $50 worth of metal, IMHO. There is a BIG difference between a cobbled together SAS setup, and a properly setup SAS. IMHO, if the IFS aint broke, don't fix it. If it breaks, and breaks multiple times, then MAYBE think about it. One thing to remember is, once you go SAS, you can't go back.

http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Sky-Mfg-Chevy-GMC-88-97-Solid-Axle-Conversion-Hanger-kit-p-19060.html

$350 for the above kit... When I said $50 i'm comparing that to what you get in a "kit". I've done them and not cobbled them together, how complicated is a leaf spring hanger to build? Grab some 2x4 req tubing for the crossmember, some 1/4" plate for the leaf spring hangers and box them in way better than this kit so they don't bend sideways. Spending more money doesn't mean it will be less cobbled together, its 100% up to the person thats doing it. You have to understand how a suspension works, all the angles that need to be correct, steering geometry, ect..

From past experiences about $50 in metal if you buy new to hang the axle and build shock mounts, or $350 to buy that kit. $250ish for 1.5"x.250 wall DOM and Moog tie rods to do the steering. $50 for new u-bolts. $250 or so to have a new driveshaft built. Around $25 for new gr.8 hardware. I'm not sure how much a pair of leaf springs cost, most guys use something like a 2.5" softride leaf...

IFS can work well under many situations, but there is a point where it just doesn't hold up anymore. But honestly its not the IFS fault, if you had a half ton solid axle rig you'd be in the same situation looking to swap out to a better axle as well. So a SAS really isn't different in that aspect...

 

[poriggity]

Ok.. yes, I agree, a hangar isn't hard to build if you have the skills... BUT.. There are ALOT more items needed to complete an SAS besides metal.
Scott

 

[ben2go]

The original reason for people doing SAS was to gain articulation.IFS is not that bad since companies have come up with up grades and lift kits.HOWEVER,If you are going with 35 inch tall tires or bigger,a solid axle will not wear out bearings as fast.