I have a 93 ext can pickup v6 4x4. I have the opportunity to pick up a complete 85 single cab pick up. I know about the fabrications that need to be done to do a sas. I could do that. I'm just wondering if if would be easier to swap my 93 body and motor over to the 85 frame? I'm wishing it it just a straight swap and bolt up job, but I doubt it. I'm curious what kind of fabbing I would have to do? Has anyone out there done this before? Any and all suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Michael

 

You would need to move the cab mounts around for the different cab. Also, you would need to shorten the bed on the front end and likely relocate the bed mounts to get it on. Then the V6 motor mounts are different than for the 4-cyl engine and you would also want to swap the IFS steering box to the '85 and convert it to crossover steering with 3" or more of lift.

 

Generally speaking, the SAS performs better than the stock straight axle setup on the older trucks. SAS springs are longer and move the wheel forward to allow for clearance when the wheel gets stuffed. Not to mention the inadequate design of the factory steering configuration. Most with the older setup have to rework many of the components anyways to equal the performance of the SAS.

So, IMO... take the axle off the '85 and SAS the '93. Far less work and well ahead in the end.

 

thank u very much for all the info. I think I will do the sas. One more question. Is there any difference between the 85 rear axle and the 93 rear axle?

 

'93 axle is wider and has bigger brakes plus a V6 diff:
http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/diffs/#widths