SAS threshold

[hessiankid31]

I am doing research for my SAS plunge. I see tons of posts where people ask for advice and I've done the same thing. I just wanted to share my experience to date. I finally decided that I'd commit to doing the SAS as soon as I broke the next major IFS part. I made a blood pact to not spend another cent on the IFS. When it goes, thats it, even if it sits for a year, since I've got other vehicles to drive. I picked up my donor axle for dirt cheap and I'm already getting it ready. I may not feel comfortable with my welding skills yet, but there are tons of other things I CAN do, like stripping and rebuilding the donor. I'll prep everything I can and be ready when its time to haul out the torch. On a similar note, have some of you SAS moghuls ever thought of doing a video(no, not that kind, mister dirty mind) or a professional writeup? Just so happens I know a little something about editing and writing papers, since I'm a teacher. If anybody is ever interested in some editorial help with a writeup, let me know. 

[reklund5]

I've done 3 SAS's...what can I do to help?

[hessiankid31]

God I love this board. This is the only place where u get great, helpful responses. Thanks for the offer, I'll be posting progress pics as I get stuff done.Realistically prob won't get to it for a while, to much going on, but maybe. I'll definatly hit you up for help reklund5, good to know I've got people so willing to help. I wish I knew someone local to gimmme a hand, but I'll figure it out.

[WHITE_TRASH]

Whatcha need to know?  There is a LOT of info floating around on this board, all you gotta do is ask and you'll get the info you need.

[84runner]

There are a couple good writes on the net if you search with google. I think 4x4wire has a good one 

[robinhood4x4]

Shane on yotatech.com did a live webcam of his SAS and then made a time lapse video of it. 

[hessiankid31]

thanks again everyone. I'll start a post in the projects thread once I get going. I feel like I've got a good handle on the basics. I'm leaning towards the All Pro kit, I definatly want some jigs/templates to work with. I'm just keeping an eye out for the best combo of parts I can find. I own or have access to a full set of all the tools I need, including stick/line, MIG/TIG. Oxy and Plasma torch. I just need to practice my welding, I've only been welding regularly for a couple months now. My neighbor is a Master welder, with a Phd in metallurgy and mechanical engineering, so I've got a great teacher handy. I just don't want someone else doing the welds. I'd rather wait until I'm confident in my skills, then if something fails, It's my responsibillity. I just spent the last two days gringing off ALL the welds and re doing my new rear bumper, winch perch and sliders. The temp knob on my stick welder got turned down and I burned about two spools of cold, brittle beads, so I'm not feelimg all that confident right now.  :king:I'm planning a trip to canyonlands/elephant hill in two weeks and I've got several projects to finish before that, so SAS is on back burner for now

[yotaboy79]

good luck have fun and post pics

[reklund5]

For what its worth, here are my experiences.  I am by no means an expert, but I've done a few...

All of the SAS kits I've used have been from All Pro.  The next one I do will NOT be from them.  Their kit is great, but it lacks a few little things that other kits have.  For example, I think their shackles for the front springs are kinda lame with the spacers- Marlin's bent shackles just plain look nicer.  Also, all SAS's that I've done have been on 4Runners...and all sag in the rear even with 4"front and 5"rear springs.  I think it has something to do with their front hanger design and the added weight in the rear of a 4Runner.  (I've since changed shackles and added a 1" block in the rear to level the Runners out...)

Also, having to cut off the rear spring shackle mount just sucks.  They should include new shackle mounts with their kit- they're super easy to make and installing new ones is way easier than trying to salvage the old ones.

I do have the All Pro springs on my 84 Pickup (no SAS needed) and they're great.  I've installed them with AOR shackles and have been very happy. 

Keep practicing your welds- you'll only get better!  A wire feed welder makes life WAY easier too...

Ryan

[84runner]

I did there front spring kit on my RUnner and I noticed on the front spring hanger that only one of the holes was off set for the longer spring. Cuase it say you can moung the hanger to different ways  depending on what springs you got, well only one of the holes was off set on the hanger. Kinda  fab work I think.

[CGuava]

I used time on my side to collect parts.  Bought everything over a span of about 3 months.  Then decided to dive in.  I recommend acquiring a plasma cutter.  Took me forever with a sawzall and angle grinder.  Works real well though. 

Here's my list of things for the front:

FROR Swap kit
Sky Hysteer
Rebuilt axle with All Pro diff Guard
Bellfields (ran pro's for a while)
5.29's Locked
Alcan Springs (4" w/ 1" drop hanger)
Bilstein 5150's

[Roktoys84]

Marlin has a SAS kit now. Cheaper than AllPros and better customer service.

[WHITE_TRASH]

Better customer service?  Hell better than allpoo period!  Illl put Marlin up against anyone, they are by far the best shop around!  I think that people forget that not everyone is out just to make a buck, some people care about the customer and what the customer wants/ needs.  All poo has lost sight of that. 

[hessiankid31]

true dat'! I have had a hard time with all pro, but the absolute worst was AORR. I liked the look of their stuff and ordered some parts last year. 4 months pass. No parts. I had to threaten BBB/legal action to get my stuff and then they double dipped the card charges. How do you stay in business that way? Not lousy customer service, NO customer service. I wish I'd known about marlin earlier, I'd have saved time and money too. I've already got my Marlin wish list going with a vengence. Wish I had some of that cash I've flushed in the past. Oh well............