I don't disagree with that point at all.

Yet again, my point is that a SAS isn't REQUIRED to wheel. You can wheel a VERY great many trails with IFS.

 

Nah, Colorado never gets any snow

 

They both do fine.

 

Hey tc,

Your not going to believe this, but I agree with You about the snow.

We're doing a "Redneck ground clearance study" right now.

Will have pic's shortly, where does everyone host their pic's?

Thanks Kiwi

 

www.photobucket.com

there's some others out there too.

 

All right... some SAS numbers to get things started.

For reference, my setup is a 4" Marlin SAS, '85 Toyota front axle on 35" MTR's. I have welded the ball gussets from Marlin under my knuckles, but measured my axle as if they weren't there. Also, the '85 has the full length under gusset, so clearance on this axle is going to be the lowest of all Toyota solid axles.

Also... my ground to center of hub measures 16.25".



I just took two measurements in the rear. I have a trac-bar that was added, so I didn't take that dimension. Just figuring "stock" numbers are what we are all looking for.



I'll let the mathematicians among us figure out my average GC. Seems like my max is about 14" as dictated by the front gusset and high point in the rear. Of course, this is assuming I line everything up and don't just smack one or both of my diffs into a 12" rock and stop cold.

Will be interesting to see how all this compares to IFS... even if ground clearance isn't a reason to swap. At least it wasn't for me.

 

Hey Elvota,

Do You know the actual tire diameter?

I just measured some Wrangler 33"s, and came up with 31". They dont look that worn.

Thanks Kiwi

 

Uhmmm... 16.25" x 2 = 32.5" Wait a minute, 32.5" tires... WTH? I shouldn't have measured them in the first place. Now I am bummed.

So, I measured my spare, and only got 33.5 out of that one. No weight though, so fully round of course. These MTR's aren't new, but I am guessing 65% tread left at least.

I guess I have to get a hold of some 37's pronto or get more secure having such small tires. .

 

Hey Guys,

I Wonder how many people just ran out and measured thier tires?

This is not good, I think we have been marketed. lol

Thanks Kiwi

edit: is this another thread?

 

Elvota, sweet. I will try to get mine in a day or so. I'm completely under the weather with the plague, so i'll get it as soon as I can.

 

MTR's are known to run small. My 34" TSL's were the same diameter or bigger than Molly's 35" MTR's.

 

not that any body is wrong, or right, but the fact is i have a 88 toyota pickup IFS welded rear open front and 34's and i will rock crawl all day long and not break one time, its how you drive it, not how you build it,(to a point) any body wheel jhonson valley? i was told no trucks with under 37's and lockers front & back will make it, i have no lift but flexy rear end and made the guys from 4wheel&offroad shut up by out wheelin there A1 jeep!!! no joke, ask them.

 

Thats what it comes down to. Guys break the built stuff too. If you don't want to break IFS, take it easy. It does just fine.

 

IFS definitely has its pros; nice ride, better in the mud due to less weight and better clearance, pretty good in the rocks.......

but when it come to brute strength, the SAS will win hands down.

One of the things that really bothered me when I was off-roading was after the wheeling, the alignment was out. Maybe I was just harder than most, but I really grew weary of this issue.

Then there was the whole thing of breaking half shafts, stub shafts, ORS heat treated half shafts, splitting boots, pulling the tripod joint from the inner joint.........Yeah, I guess I just was too hard on them.







I went to a SAS because I wanted stronger parts that could withstand the abuse the front suspension was receiving. Midas has set my alignment, I've wheeled it, and well....the alignment is still in....I'm happy. The only thing I've broken are a few Warn Hub Fuses, which are designed to break under certain loads.



just my .02 cents

 

you live in NM... anything in NM will break. period. that is hard core wheeling


I wheel in the snow up north where my axles stay nice, rusty, and spinning freely


hahaha

 

haha ya rite, ifs has more ground clearence! maybe untill the suspension comes down. ive had both style front ends and i mostly scrap in the mud
and ifs blows unless u are doing moderate wheeling. sas is for all extreme conditions. except like baja or somthin like that where you need ifs

 

NM is great for "out back" running