Opinions please

[Ranger5.0]

ok, so, Im pritty damn sure this has been discussed to DEATH but i never payed attention and would like some info. Im debating weather or not i should do the SAS thing. Like the TTB is cool and works well, but Its time to replace the radius bushings again, and the diff needs to be rebuilt. So, its a toss up. Pull it all out, and bolt in some form of solid axle, or, pull the diff apart and put new bearings in it. If i did a SAS i was planing to just buy a runing driving truck and put the front and rear axles under my truck. Just want some idea's to bounce around. I dont want this to turn into a mess where ppl are either krapping on one or the other. thanks

 

[kunar]

i dont have an opinion one way or the other (okay im partial to the ttb, i root for the underdog) but i can point you to this and this

 

[86ford]

if it was only as easy as buying a running driving truck....
2 main problems are that there isent a readily available vehicle to swap axles from that are the same width as a RBV. most people end up cutting down a fullsize dana 44, finding a Early bronco 44. you have to choose leaf sprung or coil sprung and both have there ups and downs. if down time is very important to you because you dont have another vehicle i recommend preping the axles as much as possible before you do the install. by preping i mean new brakes,bearings,spring plates and/or coil mounts. locating and buying tires and rims for the new axles (matching the front axle to the 4.5 on 5 RBV pattern or the rear to the new fronts pattern). finding the suspension parts such as leaf springs and/or coil springs. much of what i just described depends heavily on how the enforce the laws in your area. if they dont care if you tire is completely outside your wheel well and is slinging mud everywere then by all means go find a late 70's f150 and stick a 9inch out back and a fullsize 44 up front. but even if you are so lucky for that to be legally acceptable in your area chances are you will still need to move spring plates on the axles, replace the brakes or atleast enough parts to retro fit it in(lines,thread sizes,the lines you break unintentionally in the removal), etc.
the rearend is easy on the other hand. find a 8.8 out of a exploder and move the spring plates and shock mounts(not shure on the shocks). the exploder rearend is a 31 spline 8.8 and will take almost any modifications you can do to a RBV along with being the proper width. ideally you will match the front and rears gearing to avoid re-gearing either axle. you are going to be best off installing the front and getting it completely done before you start on the back so that you can level the truck out with blocks,lift leafs or a combination because the rearend is so much easier to deal with in terms of lifting.

86