dana 30SAS

[blueoval54]

im thinkin bout swapping a jeep dana 30 under my 87 ranger.. i know people bag this swap but it is still better than the 28 and way cheaper than the 44 swap i have a few questions and greatly appreciate any input
1.if u use a cherokee axle can i use my lift coils that are on my ranger or would i have to buy a lift designed for the cherokee axle or would it be easier to go for the yj leaf sprung design
2. wat all would i have to fabricate as far as mounting brackets and such

 

[chrwilkins30]

It would be harder to go leaf sprung. keep in mind i have not done a sas Just from what i have seen.
1. Most just use the jeep coil.
2. You would have to fab or buy a trackbar bracket..... Some way to mount the arms to the frame.

I would just saw do research before hand. Look at dangerranger83 build. he did the swap.

http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92330

 

[blueoval54]

ya i have been looking around some it seems like leaf sprung would be a cheaper route to go just looking for some input on what everyone thinks

 

[chrwilkins30]

Cheaper may not be easier. The truck came with coils. I would just stick with them.

 

[dangerranger83]

Take a look at my build thread, it can help shed some light on what you are wanting to find out. The link is in my sig.

I agree, go with coils. Its 10x easier and your truck is already set-up for it. Im running 6.5 inch lift coils for an XJ and got 5 inches of lift and it rides very nicely.

 

[blueoval54]

ya your bild looks good.. so what do you think of the d30?? you taken it out at all??

 

[dangerranger83]

Not yet, not 100% done, still have to put my M/T tires on and get a few more things touched up. I'm also running cv axles which may not last long wen I do go to have fun so I need to get some ujoint ones first. I will say I do love the live at all times axle though. Jus push in the clutch reach down and put her in 4wd without having to lock hubs. I love the d30, suits my needs for what I do with my truck.

 

[blueoval54]

well thats good to hear... so wat did you end up sing for steering and coil buckets

 

[dangerranger83]

Steering is XJ linkage but may go to a cross over steering setup. Coil buckets are factory coil buckets in th factory location. i did an axle push so thats why my coils go at an angle just a bit.

 

[blueoval54]

tock xj? ya i think i am gonna go woth that at first the later do cross over or high steer or something like that

 

[dangerranger83]

Yes stock XJ steering or whats called inverted Y steering. When i put mine on it made my tires toe in a bit but nothing that an alinement cant solve.

 

[blueoval54]

ya then ill probably just run that for a while till i get something better so many different pjojects so little time an money lol

 

[dangerranger83]

Well in total so far that I have into this SAS including tires new rims and other misc. stuff, I have about $2200 in it and $3000 with the engine swap. Thats getting a free axle too and trading a few things for what I need. That also includes the rear 63 inch chevy leaf swap.

 

[blueoval54]

ya i should be able to do it a little cheaper than that i got two sets of 33's and one set of 31's already on ranger rims and if things get too crazy i got a set of 35 inch boggers haha so im thinking the most expensive parts will be long arms and new coils

 

[85mustangman]

look up ironman4x4 fabrication, the long arm kit makes life real easy for the sas. I bought them last year and run a stock 4 link style dana 30 with no issues. They got pricy since last year but for the time i saved with out building them it was worth it. If you want pics just shoot me an email, i got a series of em from torching out the ttb to the finish. what i like about the arms is the rubicon 44 will bolt right up although i guess it has similar weak points to a 30 but thats my next step.