i'm planning on doing a solid axle swap soon. hopefully sometime this year. but i was curious about some ideas in which you don't need a swap kit. my friend at work was telling me "i don't need no stupid kit". any ideas would be cool, thanks guys =)

 

It can be done. Just buy the components that you need new, and source other parts from junkyards, craigslist, etc. I suggest extensive research on the subject before attempting it. You should fully understand what you do and do not need and what is involved long before you are ready for this endeavor. Start by reading about what others have done here: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f152/ as well as the many SAS' in the build-up section.

 

honestly, you dont need a kit, you can search for days finding all the little pieces you need and then hope they all work together while beating your head up against the wall causing you alot in med bills. then you can fab all the braces yourself and be glad you saved $300.... or you could get a kit and know it all works and just requires minor work (compaired to making your own) to get you back on the trail/road but might need to save for a few extra weeks.. your choice..

that being said, i would use a hybrid of my own mixed with pre fabed parts.

 

haha thanks guys. it's definitely an endeavour i haven't fully decided on yet. i know i'm going to do it, i just haven't decided how. most likely a mix of both. i love fabrication, so having everything i need from the kit, plus a little extra from my own designing would be good. i like being able to call it my own. good advice from you guys though, thanks.

 

no problem, and welcome to yotatech! wasnt sure how mechanicly inclined you where so i kinda gave a vague answer. bottom line, its ALOT of work, can be srewed up quickly and is a whole lot of fun if you like working on your junk.

try not to forget all the work that is involved making sure your axle is up to snuff and all the parts are fresh. added costs like driveshafts, paint and prep etc.

but if done correctly, when all is said and done it is a strong system that will last years and years.. good luck!

 

well, this is my first truck/vehicle and i've been rebuilding it for a year and a half now. got it when i was 16 with no motor, clutch, pretty much nothing lol the only thing good was the body and the frame and the transmission. had to finish school in vegas, so i graduated and moved up here as quick as i could to start gettin on it. learned alot so far, but i have a LONNNGGGGG way to go. one thing i've learned, is projects take twice as long, and cost twice as much as you plan em haha

 

i hear ya'..

enough chit chat..

 

haha in my album man haha i need to upload more though, i only have a few from a few months ago.

 

 

dig the bumper, is that a body lift i see?

by the way, is the name a refference to the classic murder car movie or are you a chick?

 

ignore the name question, i saw the answer in your other post..

 

haha that bumper is where i learned to weld (well, immediatly after i practiced on some scrap) and yes the truck's name is christine haha i'm a dude. but thanks for the props, me and my step dad made it from construction scrap haha

 

two posts up..

 

oh and yes =( that is in fact a body lift lol i had to do it to clear the tires. can't afford the lift, and i don't want to do it when i'm going SAS.

 

"Stupid kits" are usually called that by folks who don't read the intsructions anyway.

Kits make like a lot easier in most cases, cheaper, everything is together, less work collecting parts, instructions, etc.

For the time and headache saved, if someone already has a proven kit, I use it. No sense reinventing the wheel on an SAS.

:wabbit2:

 

Very good point. Thank you. I guess im gonna have to start saving up lol

 

you need a kit unless your 100% sure that the axle is in good working condition. Get the kit it will make you feel better