IFS solid axle conversion
September 6th, 2009, 8:32 AM
#1
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IFS solid axle conversion
Well, I have been working on it for 2 months now and I think I'm ready.
This post is to show how I did my axle swap, I do want to say that I use my Tahoe almost strictly offroad and that I would suggest that you do this at your own risk. This set up will give 6" of lift.
Parts list,
88 Jeep Wagoneer front Dana 44 w/6 lug bolt pattern. $150.
Ring and pinion, mini spool and Warn hubs. $450.
High angle drive shaft with transfer case flange and 1 ton axle yoke. $850.
87 S10 rear springs and hangers. Free
2x3x3/16 square tube steel.
2" wheel spacers
The process.
Remove the front upper and lower control arms, and the differential.
Remove the hanger brackets from the frame.
Remove the front tow hooks and mounting blocks.
Cut 2 4" pieces of the steel tube and drill them to mount at the location of the tow hooks, use the existing bolts and back plates, drill a 3/4" hole thru the side to accept 1/2" steel pipe as a bushing and weld them in place.
This is where I used the rear shackels to hang the springs. Next I used the spring mounts I removed from the S10 and welded them to the frame rails, I measured back 52" from the front hanger to the rear location, this located the rear hangers at the end of the boxed section of the frame. Now you hang the springs, this placed my axle in the original location of the wheel wells. Now it's time to lower the vehicle on to the axle perches, I installed new perches on the axle for a spring over application. With the axle mounted I found that my existing shock mounts and shocks from my former lift bolted right up to the axle, I also had extended brake lines that worked. Now for the steering I used half of the steering linkage from the Jeep and a tie rod end from the stock steering, I welded the 2 adjusters together and connected it to one of the existing mounts for the tie rod on the drivers side. The last thing was the drive shaft, I tried having the stock yoke on the transfer case machined but that didn't work out so I ordered a new flange, CV joint type drive shaft and pinion yoke from High Angle Driveline.
Here are some pics, excuse the focus on some of the shots, I need better lighting in my shop.
Out with the old
Almost gone
Goodbye Rough Country Lift
New blocks for front hangers
Rear hangers
S10 rear leaf springs
Leaf springs hung
Need to clean this up
OK it's under the truck
Now just lower the lift
Gut that axle
New gears and goodies
Mounting the ring gear and mini spool
Time to close it up
Steering linkage
New drive shaft next to stock
What's that I see
A 95 with a solid front axle
If a moderator or admin wants to move or edit this thread please feel free.
This post is to show how I did my axle swap, I do want to say that I use my Tahoe almost strictly offroad and that I would suggest that you do this at your own risk. This set up will give 6" of lift.
Parts list,
88 Jeep Wagoneer front Dana 44 w/6 lug bolt pattern. $150.
Ring and pinion, mini spool and Warn hubs. $450.
High angle drive shaft with transfer case flange and 1 ton axle yoke. $850.
87 S10 rear springs and hangers. Free
2x3x3/16 square tube steel.
2" wheel spacers
The process.
Remove the front upper and lower control arms, and the differential.
Remove the hanger brackets from the frame.
Remove the front tow hooks and mounting blocks.
Cut 2 4" pieces of the steel tube and drill them to mount at the location of the tow hooks, use the existing bolts and back plates, drill a 3/4" hole thru the side to accept 1/2" steel pipe as a bushing and weld them in place.
This is where I used the rear shackels to hang the springs. Next I used the spring mounts I removed from the S10 and welded them to the frame rails, I measured back 52" from the front hanger to the rear location, this located the rear hangers at the end of the boxed section of the frame. Now you hang the springs, this placed my axle in the original location of the wheel wells. Now it's time to lower the vehicle on to the axle perches, I installed new perches on the axle for a spring over application. With the axle mounted I found that my existing shock mounts and shocks from my former lift bolted right up to the axle, I also had extended brake lines that worked. Now for the steering I used half of the steering linkage from the Jeep and a tie rod end from the stock steering, I welded the 2 adjusters together and connected it to one of the existing mounts for the tie rod on the drivers side. The last thing was the drive shaft, I tried having the stock yoke on the transfer case machined but that didn't work out so I ordered a new flange, CV joint type drive shaft and pinion yoke from High Angle Driveline.
Here are some pics, excuse the focus on some of the shots, I need better lighting in my shop.
Out with the old
Almost gone
Goodbye Rough Country Lift
New blocks for front hangers
Rear hangers
S10 rear leaf springs
Leaf springs hung
Need to clean this up
OK it's under the truck
Now just lower the lift
Gut that axle
New gears and goodies
Mounting the ring gear and mini spool
Time to close it up
Steering linkage
New drive shaft next to stock
What's that I see
A 95 with a solid front axle
If a moderator or admin wants to move or edit this thread please feel free.
Last edited by mudmaniac; September 6th, 2009 at 8:41 AM.
September 6th, 2009, 9:54 AM
#2
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hell ya george,i have been waiting to see your build thread and here it is...george is there a way for me to view without having a myspace page?
by the way great write up now guys can see what is involved in doing a sas......this should become a sticky in the suspension section once edited as needed
by the way great write up now guys can see what is involved in doing a sas......this should become a sticky in the suspension section once edited as needed
Last edited by myotherchevyisablazer; September 6th, 2009 at 10:09 AM.
September 6th, 2009, 11:15 AM
#3
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You can see the posted images, right? I know when you click on them it re-directs to MySpace but I'm lousy at posting pics the right way, I can probably upload to this site instead. I was kinda hoping for some help with that from the staff. Hint hint
September 6th, 2009, 11:21 AM
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yes i can see the images but i want to be able to look at your work closer
....maybe brent can hook you up?...this is a great writeup...this forum needed a good build thread....what kinda ride you getting from those rear s-10 springs?
....maybe brent can hook you up?...this is a great writeup...this forum needed a good build thread....what kinda ride you getting from those rear s-10 springs?
September 6th, 2009, 11:27 AM
#7
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The springs are nice and soft so I can get some better traction in the mud, they sit almost flat like the old K5s. I get about 10" of travel on each side out of it now if I jack up 1 side. With the IFS I was lucky to get maybe 4"
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September 6th, 2009, 11:32 AM
#9
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September 6th, 2009, 11:36 AM
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here ya go!