2WD --> 4WD SAS --> 2WD SAS...Axis' Truck Saga

[axisT6]

My truck started life as a simple 1995 Chevy ECSB with a 305 V8, 4L60E, and 10 bolt rear. I then got bit by the mod bug.

Here is the truck with Fabtech 4" Spindles, 2" coils, add-a-leaf/block in the rear, 4.10s, and Auburn Posi on 285s...

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I then discovered that with this same lift, I could fit 35s. Instead of simply throwing the 35s on the truck, I decided to do some other upgrades as well. I secured a 6 lug 14SF from a Z71 (68" wide), geared it to 4.56, and installed it along with a u-bolt flip and springs from a 2500HD.

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In order to have matching bolt patterns front and rear, I purchased rotors for a light duty 6 lug C2500. They bolted right up. Here was the finished product.

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[axisT6]

The truck went for roughly 2 years in this form. I then got restless, and the urge to mod came back. I decided to do a 1 Ton SAS using a GM D60, Divorced NP205, and a 14FF Rear.

Here is the D60 I put together with the following specifics:

4.56 gears
Lock-Rite
35 Spline Outers
1410 Yoke
Warn Lockouts
Seals-It Outer Tube Seals
Offroad Design X-Over Steering Arm
Solid 1.25" Square Bar Tie rod with 3/4" Heims
14FF Spindle Nut and Locking Key

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Here is a shot of the 14FF Spindle Nut and Locking Key. I prefer this set-up as it does not rely on friction like standard D60 nuts. Instead, a locking key and snapring hold everything in place.

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[axisT6]

Here is the 14FF I built up. This particular axle is a 2nd Gen 14FF with the ribbed housing. This one is found in 88-00 Trucks. For the most part, it utilizes all of the same aftermarket parts as the 73-87 14FF. This axle came out of a 1 ton truck and is 67.5" wide.

It recieved 4.56 gears, detroit locker, 1410 yoke, disk brakes, and dually wheel studs.

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Here is a closeup of the dually studs:

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[axisT6]

Unlike most SAS's I decided on a divorced transfer case because I didn't want to have to mess with the NV4500 I installed earlier. Also, this meant I could use cheaper, single u-joint shafts since I wouldn't have extreme angles. Also, if I ever needed to remove the transmission, I didn't have to juggle a transfer case. Here is the Ford NP205 coming together. So, how am I running a Ford NP205 Tcase with a GM front axle?? As it turns out, the internals are such that you can swap things around. I made my Ford NP205 into a passenger drop case. I did have to make some small internal mods, but it worked very well. While I had everything apart, I went ahead and did the twin-stick mod and installed a 1350 input yoke to match my transmission and 1410 output yokes to match the axles.

Here are some pictures of the finished case with it's mocked up crossmember:

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I needed to build the crossmember such that the case had a 5 degree tilt towards the rear to keep my driveshaft u-joint angles reasonable. The angle was spot on.

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[jps4jeep]

Right on!
I ran a divorsed case in my old 2wd-4wd sas 92, almost built exactly the same as this. I had 2 issues, first one which probably won't apply to you, but I had to re-route the exhaust around the front output. My truck had a super cool dual exhaust system (non-stock) that the prevous owner built.

second was the shifters for the case, I ran a twin stick and ended up simply running PTO cable shifters to move the them further foward on the floor so they wouldn't contact the console.

Good Luck with the build.

 

[axisT6]

The front leafsprings brackets went through a couple of revisions, here is the latest. The front is a simple square tube X-member with a receiver hitch welded to it. It bolts through the bottom of the chassis and through one of the bumper bracket holes.

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[axisT6]

Here is on of the shackle brackets. These utilize the multi-position hangers from DIY4X. These can take springs with lengths 52"-56".

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Here you can see a drill guide I built so that I could drill straight through my chassis. I used sleeves on the inside of the boxed section to keep from crushing it when I tightened the bolts. I did this so that the entire box section was utilized instead of just the thin inner piece.

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Here is the backing plate. I did have to do some clearance grinding, but you get the idea. The brackets attach with 6 half inch bolts, 3 of which go through the boxed section, and the other three thread into the welded nuts. Overall it is a very solid attachment.

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Here is the driver side shackle bracket installed.

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[TylerZ281500]

more pics!

 

[shortchevy]

subbed. looking forward to seeing this come together

 

[Eskimomann209]

Based on the date.... I don't think you will
Lmao