i was reading up on it last night and im not sure if having a original straight axle truck is better or just to order all new parts. btw im getting this other parts truck for free i just have to go pick it up. its a 82 and mine is a 88. im a mustang guy so i have no idea about these things. thanks guys.

 

it all comes down to what you want to do with the truck. if ride quality is important to you or if you have a bad back...don't convert to SA. IFS rides a lot better. Mild weekend wheeling with an IFS truck is great, just learn to replace/have an extra CV axle with you.
Converting a truck is a lot of work but well worth it depending on your ultimate goal.
there are a ton of variables that come into play as far as cost: your skills-or are you gonna pay someone to do the conversion etc. Free parts truck is great,you have the axle, than you can do Rears Up front (google toyota RUF and read up on that, it is a good education) etc

 

i do plan on going off raod quite a bit, i hunt in the winter and 4 wheel in the summer so it should be off road quite a bit. i can weld and do pretty much anything im just worried about how long i wont be able to drive it b/c coming up this winter it'll be my main mode of transportation.

 

experienced guys can do it in a weekend if they have all the tools and parts lined up.
in your case I would keep doing my research and do the project in the spring.
that way you can gather your parts, decide what you are gonna do about a front spring hanger, springs, front driveshaft, wheel spacers or do an IFS widening kit etc, etc..
I would recommend that you order a kit like this:
http://wabfab.org/SAS-Kits/SAS-Kit/flypage.tpl.html
that way you get all the junk in one kit...

than decide what you are gonna do for a rear lift etc..
tire size, lockers, armor, gears etc are more things to think about
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f120...mation-121264/

 

thanks for the link! i was also looking at a pro comp one too. but in the mean time while money is tight could i just convert it to the stock straight axle? using the stock springs and steering parts.

 

Yes and no. Theoretically, anything can be done with enough time/effort/money. However to do this would be going backwards. The steering is different from IFS to SA with IFS being better/more desirable. To use the IFS steering box you need what is called hi steer or crossover steering and that requires 3-4 inches of lift in the front. To use the SA steering you would need to re-locate the steering box on the frame and you would be getting a weaker steering system (and eventually want to go back to the IFS set-up most likely) Get the axle, wait, read, learn, save money, get it right the first time.

 

okay so if i have a parts truck i couldnt just transfer the parts to mine?

 

no. they don't just bolt up, it requires extensive welding and modification.
you can use the springs and axles, and other than that, i wouldnt use anything else.
you can attempt the poor-mans hysteer if you have a 220v welder and a good machine shop to mill down the arms.

 

yea i understand the welding and fab. of the change over but i couldnt use the stock steering parts? ive been reading alot on the RUF fourms and i dont wanna do that when i have a actual front axle i just dont understand why i cant find anything on converting it over without puting a lift onto it.

 

You're not finding anything because nobody does it that way, and there is a reason.

First let me me clarify. I'm confused because you say "I don't wanna do it that way when I have an actual front axle".
Are you clear that RUF means only the springs? Not the axle? It's a cheap way to get the front lifted.

As far as the steering, go back and look at the steering on a straight axle truck. It has a push/pull style steering gear box that is inferior to the gear boxes on the IFS trucks. They are completely different in the way they operate. With the IFS box you need to use the hi steer setup and so you need to lift. How much lift is debatable. Mostly I've seen quotes of 4 inches minimum, however, I'm pretty sure some guys have pulled it off with less. (2 1/2-3 inches) Also, to mount the original push/pull box to your IFS truck you would have to relocate the box. So you will have to figure out where you need to place it, drill or plasma out some holes, weld in some sleeves and mount the box... all in order to get yourself an inferior steering system... which is why nobody does it that way... and why you can't find anything written up on it.

 

Frames are different, The mounts are different, the way the axle is positioned in an SAS is different.
You cant get away with doing this cheasp.
If you want to get a solid axle truck that isn't lifted, go buy a 79-85...

The stock steering parts will not work.

Do you fully grasp the concept of a solid front axle? I hate to be a jerk, but you need to go find a 79-85 pickup with a SFA, and look at how things work.
Then, you need to take a good hard look at your IFS rig, and how things work.
THEN, you need to go take a good hard look at some of the SAS threads, to fully grasp the concept of why you need crossover steering, and why the stock push-pull would only be a downgrade. Not only that, to do an SAS with stock springs is a waste of your money, time, and a perfectly good front axle.

 

okay, thanks guys, i was just seeing if it was possible. the straight axle truck i just got has a rusted frame that is cracked in the middle between the cab and bed. i have the motor and straight axle listed in craigslist for sale. ive done enough research to figure out that i cant afford to do that at this point in time, plus i got this truck for the gas milage and to save money because im in school. thanks again guys

 

Where are you located?

 

Why not just weld up the frame and use it as a trail rig?
That would be cheap..

 

in VA, ive met alot of great people 4 wheelin and continue to do so. 4 wheeler 4 life.yeooooo