I've been collecting parts for nearly a year and today finally took the plunge and started the sas on my 87 regular cab.

The axle was completely rebuilt from center out with the trail gear knuckle rebuild kit, backing plate eliminators, and rock rings. I also had to replace one of the spindles, and had to hammer apart the short side axle shaft to out a new outer on. I have a new set of calipers, new rotors and new pads ready to go as well.


Today my dad was nice enough to give me the rear lift at his shop to do the work. We removed all of the ifs parts and brackets today, next Sunday the leaf spring mounts, springs and axle will go in.






I still need to make reinforcement plates for the motor mounts but that'll be easy

This is also a shot of my rear at full droop with f150 springs with one leaf pulled. I need to get shorter shackles or longer shocks as the shocks are limiting down travel right now.

 

Nice job!

 

Keep the pics coming and updates. Your lucky you have the truck on a shop lift. I hated rolling on the ground trying to do mine. Good luck. PS get longer shocks.

 

^^^ what he said lol.

 

you are going to move the steering box? you'll want to box(reinforce) the frame under the steering box... the bigger the tire you are going to run, the further forward it'll have to go... you'll probably want to move the front axle forward to get tire clearance.

think about a bracket or something to mount bump stops up front, while you are doing the welding.

 

I got the front hanger tacked on today and got my frame tubes put in. Most of my day was spent going to pick up a pair of thirds set up with 4.88's

 

Looks like another member of club SAS. Maybe someday I'll get to join.
That lift is an awesome resource to be able to use.

 

I'm spoiled. My parents have owned a shop as long as I've been driving and into cars and trucks. I can't imagine working without the lift. I have HUGE amounts of respect for the guys that do these in their driveway.

 

Where you located? Just curious.

Be sweet if you were close. You could do mine!!

 

I'm in California. Not exactly close.

 

I got a bit more done today. The truck is now sitting on all fours. I had to mix and match different leafs to get the ride height I was looking for but I'm happy with it now. The big test will be when I flex it out, but I suspect it should be pretty good especially as the front springs break in.

The first time I set it on the ground it was sitting really front end high.


After swapping some springs around I am much happier with how it's sitting.


I finished welding the spring and shackle hangers and made a gusset for the crossmember/front spring hanger. This will also be a tie in point for my front bumper.


And everything together.


This is my first time dealing with a solid axle and leaf springs. I'm just kinda learning as I go. So far I have about 12 hours into it and I suspect another 8 to finish it up. Shock hoops should be here tomorrow, and my new calipers and pads arrived Friday so I don't think there is much left before I can drive it minus the front drive shaft.

 

What are you going to do to about the rear being low?

 

I already fixed it. I pulled the bottom two leafs from the front springs and put the second one in the rear spring packs. Leveled it out nicely. Front sits a little higher than the back right now, but the front springs will settle a little.

 

Got a little more done today. I boxed in my motor mounts and got my shock hoops mounted. It's getting close.

 

just picked up a soild axel.. hoping to join the the sas club soon

 

Looks awesome. I try and try not to click on this thread. I know all its gonna do is make me want a SAS. I don't need it. I do not need it.

Your doing it right. Solid work. Nice skills.

 

Thanks for all of the compliments. I feel like it's coming along well and really hasn't been as difficult as I anticipated. I am hoping to get it out and drive it around a bit this weekend. I need to decide which route I am going to go with the front drive shaft. This is a weekend toy/trail rig for me so I am leaning towards square tube but I'll check with a few of my dads contacts and see what I can come up with. Any opinions are more than appreciated.

 

Go square,......... 2" inner 2.5" outer.... U joint both ends..... I put the cv in the rear driveshaft.


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You need it and you know you will do it, thats all I have to say.

 

That really is the route I think I'm going to go. What u joints did you use? Did you have to drill your flanges to a different bolt pattern?