Using a 2wd truck for SAS

[supertrucker1978]

Ive been shopping around for a SAS project and have come across some clean 2wd 3/4 ton trucks for cheap and was wondering if anyone has done this. I'm not equipped with a full fab shop or a welder I'd trust for frame stuff so I was looking at the ORU kit. Other then not having a t-case is there any drawbacks to doing this?

 

[NAST96]

You will pry have to get a a 4wd tranny and a t case... Im not to sure if a 2wd tranny is the same as a 4wd tho as far as splines... Im sure someone will shed some more light on this topic.

 

[dirtyhick42]

I am pretty sure depending on the tranny in there you can just change the tailshaft and bolt up the t-case. You will need a tranny cross member (again I think), and you will either need retarded amount of lift or a new front cross member.

 

[supertrucker1978]

ORU has a kit for 2wd trucks so I'm not quite sure about the front cross member. I'm looking at a 98 3/4 ton with a 4L80e tranny which would work perfect in my 2wd later down the road. I do have a 89 4x4 I could use the frame off of if I needed to but I'd hate to rip apart 2 trucks just to make one.

 

[RHamill]

I'd find a beater 4x4, sand blast the frame and undercoat it, that way you can start off with a rust free frame, also, the rear axle on a 2wd is narrower, so a 4x4 front axle and a 2wd rear won't look right.

 

[dirtyhick42]

also, the rear axle on a 2wd is narrower, so a 4x4 front axle and a 2wd rear won't look right.

For some reason I wanna say that I have heard the seal has a 2wd 14 bolt under it but I could be wrong.
It's nothing some different backspacings can't fix.

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EDIT: looks like I may be wrong after looking at some pictures of my old truck but will leave picture of seal up and post a picture of my truck for comparison of axle widths.

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[93Chevy_1500]

I would use the 4x4 frame off your 89 and just put all the 2wd body parts on the 89 frame. You would have to rip apart two trucks but at least it will be clean and probably less headache.

 

[dirtyhick42]

I would use the 4x4 frame off your 89 and just put all the 2wd body parts on the 89 frame. You would have to rip apart two trucks but at least it will be clean and probably less headache.

Not me. Build the 2wd into your sas truck and keep the 4wd as is so that you know you always have a working 4x4 truck even if your sfa truck is down to get worked on.

 

[supertrucker1978]

The 89 is worth more to me as a beater then it would be as a donor frame. And it would take a lot to make the frame worthy of a nice build. Its bent and rusty and I love having a truck around that I could really care less if it gets dented or scratched. And its pretty reliable because its so simple. Here's a link to the truck I want to SAS http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/2300775490.html

 

[dirtyhick42]

What is the plan for the truck after it is sas'd? DD, weekend cruiser/mall crawler, trail rig?