Solid Axle Swap

[redneckmafia01]

Want to do a SAS to my 2002 gmc 1500 2wd.  Either I'm going to make the crossmember or buy a kit.  Any tips or tricks would be helpful. What would you guys say is the best SAS kit? Please don't tell me to buy a 4wd. This is going to be a ''in memory of'' truck.

Was thinking not messing with motor and trans and adding a divorce t-case.  At the least 3/4 tons. 

Thanks

[Jthomas]

There's a few different ways of going about it. But heres one I did on my friends el camino.

Go to a junk yard, torch out the rivets on the front shackles of a similar truck. The holes on your frame should already be there, then the spring/shackles literally bolt up.
Idk how the steering is set up on ur truck, my friends el camino wasnt power steering. But we robbed a pump and box off his scrap truck. Mounted it, then took the front axle out of that truck, and put it in his el camino.

I can't remember, but I think his frame had the holes for a tcase crossmember?

Anyways, yours might, so all you have to do is get a crossmember for your case. If you do use ur divorced case, I think ur good to use a 2wd tranny.
Idk how a 2wd tranny sits in your truck, but I'm sure you still have to use the crossmember that holds it up. Lol then ur tcase will hang spereatly from it's own crossmember.

Somone here will correct me

I'm not sure about using a 2wd rear end tho?

After then, you just have to make linkage for the case. That should rap u up.
Yes I'm making this sound way easier than it is. But I really can't help u with ur steering.

[ToughBowtieTruck]

There's a few different ways of going about it. But heres one I did on my friends el camino.

Go to a junk yard, torch out the rivets on the front shackles of a similar truck. The holes on your frame should already be there, then the spring/shackles literally bolt up.
Idk how the steering is set up on ur truck, my friends el camino wasnt power steering. But we robbed a pump and box off his scrap truck. Mounted it, then took the front axle out of that truck, and put it in his el camino.

I can't remember, but I think his frame had the holes for a tcase crossmember?

Anyways, yours might, so all you have to do is get a crossmember for your case. If you do use ur divorced case, I think ur good to use a 2wd tranny.
Idk how a 2wd tranny sits in your truck, but I'm sure you still have to use the crossmember that holds it up. Lol then ur tcase will hang spereatly from it's own crossmember.

Somone here will correct me

I'm not sure about using a 2wd rear end tho?

After then, you just have to make linkage for the case. That should rap u up.
Yes I'm making this sound way easier than it is. But I really can't help u with ur steering.

Actually, it's a lot more work than that. 2002 GMs are IFS whether it is 2wd or 4x4. Simply torching leaf hangers and hoping they will bolt up isn't going to work.



Do a google search on this, there's a lot of tech. You can make your own mounts or buy them. I recommend buying them if you want more of a 'bolt-on' kit.

Divorce case is the best idea, that way all your engine/trans electronics won't be screwed up.

[redneckmafia01]

I know this is no easy project.  My last job I built chassis's for Street Rods.  Not afraid of building all the brackets. Was just thinking buying a kit would be a lot faster. 

I haven't really found any opinions on what ''bolt on/weld on" kits are better.

Thanks for your opinions!

[Jthomas]

Yea today when I looked at my dads 91' I noticed that. So I figured I wouldn't work. Sorry. If ya had an older truck, it would make it alot easier.

[ToughBowtieTruck]

I haven't really found any opinions on what ''bolt on/weld on" kits are better.

Thanks for your opinions!

Some companies that had good products aren't in business anymore, or are expensive. Sounds like you're capable of the fab work involved so I would just make them. That way you can set your own hanger height and such to correspond with what springs you want to use and what-not.

[ToughBowtieTruck]

Yea today when I looked at my dads 91' I noticed that. So I figured I wouldn't work. Sorry. If ya had an older truck, it would make it alot easier.

No need to be sorry, it's how we all learn this stuff!

[justin0421]

There used to be alot of threads about this same topic and guys would compare the companies that made the kits look down the list u may still find it