SAS Discussion... another one

[Gordinho80]

I don't know if anyone caught Extreme 4x4 this past weekend. Ian did a SAS on a 94 full body Blazer. I saw he frequents Pirate4x4 so I figured I'd shoot him a PM asking if he'd ever look at our platform...

Hey Ian... I saw the SAS Blazer you did, and let me tell you... it was amazing! I wonder if you've ever looked at the GMT-360 body style... the 02-09 Trailblazer/Envoy. This is another GM with IFS but GM made matters worse when they put the differential right next to the oil pan, running an intermediate shaft through the oil pan. I wonder what you would do for an SAS on these vehicles. There are a few of us on this site as well as our own form, http://www.offroadtb.com, that have put the platform to the limits of the IFS and would REALLY love a SAS.

You know you're stuff and I figured I'd take a stab as asking you.

Here's a pic of my truck, so you get some idea of what we've got going on.



Thanks,
Mario

I have looked at those trucks before, and truthfully to do an SAS correctly I think an engine swap would also be the best deal.

You could probably make the stock engine work for the swap, but when you started to look at t-case options it may e more prudent to slide in another powerplant with 4L65E, and possibly an Atlas.

[dirty anton]

im glad you did this! good to hear the opinions from people like this who have the money from shows to play around and really do things like this! maybe something to consider if someone's motor has to be replaced in the future anyway.

[djthumper]

Yeah I watched that this weekend. I was wondering if the way things were mounted if we would have to swap out a lot more. Then I also wondered what other ideas he may come up with to make our rigs more off-road capable. It would be kind of nice to see our rigs on the show.

[Trail X]

I have looked at those trucks before, and truthfully to do an SAS correctly I think an engine swap would also be the best deal.

You could probably make the stock engine work for the swap, but when you started to look at t-case options it may e more prudent to slide in another powerplant with 4L65E, and possibly an Atlas.

If you're going to do that kind of rebuild, no reason to keep the rear axle. Heck, while we're dreaming lets throw in a diesel too!

[bartonmd]

I have looked at those trucks before, and truthfully to do an SAS correctly I think an engine swap would also be the best deal.

You could probably make the stock engine work for the swap, but when you started to look at t-case options it may e more prudent to slide in another powerplant with 4L65E, and possibly an Atlas.

If you're going to do that kind of rebuild, no reason to keep the rear axle. Heck, while we're dreaming lets throw in a diesel too!

4BT / Getrag / NP205 / D70R / D60F

Actually, I wonder if the 5.3 would work, with just a truck oil pan? I know Atlas makes a T-case that bolts to the 4L60E... If I was doing it, I'd go with 1-ton axles, though, just because...

Mike

[dirty anton]

yea in the end it sounds like it would end up being, motor-trans-tc-drive shaft's-rear axle-misc and lets not forget....sas! there hopefully is an easier way.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I believe I am going with my buddy in his jk on the 22nd to wheel with ian and the extreme4x4 crew in TN with the supercharged jk he built. I contacted him a couple months ago about donating my truck for a sas. Maybe where his research started. I didn't get much out of it but my buddy whose jk we are taking has been pushing him to go wheeling with me in my truck to see what it is capable of. Actually tried to get me in on this all jk run... I just pmed ian last week again about bringing his scout and doing a kinda oddball trail run with it, mine, and maybe some other non jeeps.

[Hatchet669]

yea with a SAS we would probably need a new transfer case... and i'm not sure as how strong the power steering will be (i mean u can blow it by holding it at full left or right for to long)... but i'm in talks with a fab shop right now... getting a SS rear axle with locker put in with in a month... gotta set up a date and time, and at that time we will be looking over a SAS up front...

if engine, tranny, and TC needs to be removed... Diesel is high on my list of replacement engines under that is the 6.0 from the full size trucks... but i gotta go one step here... i'll keep yall informed on what he says when we look at it...

edit: cool Kyle... let us know how that goes...

[T8erN8ion]

I am actualy planning a SAS swap over the next month, 1 word DURAMAX!!!! 1st diesel, SAS, TB in FL.. Just waiting for axles and truck lol...

[HARDTRAILZ]

I am actualy planning a SAS swap over the next month, 1 word DURAMAX!!!! 1st diesel, SAS, TB in FL.. Just waiting for axles and truck lol...

What are your steering and suspension plans? I have the axles and the truck...it is just not that simple.

[bartonmd]

Exactly, Kyle... Need to convert out rack and pinion to a 2WD recirculating ball setup, and do crossover steering, then link the front end...

Mike

[fishsticks]

I think the need for an engine swap would be alleviated by raising the engine a couple inches. There's nothing inherently wrong with the I6, the biggest problem is getting the front axle to not interfere with the oil pan. On a body lifted truck this shouldn't be a huge issue.

I think a D44 front would fit underneath and be plenty strong enough for a reasonable tire size on the 360. The 9.5" SS axle is a good choice since it's already set up for our 5 link mounts.

Mounting a steering box is going to be a royal pain, there just isn't room in there for one.

[bartonmd]

Body lifting doesn't raise the engine...

[HARDTRAILZ]

Steering out on frame in front of axle maybe? Or hydro? Maybe a radius arm setup instead of full link? I think you just make an oil pan by cutting and piecing.

[fishsticks]

Body lifting doesn't raise the engine...

But it creates some space so that the engine/trans/TC COULD be raised in relation to the frame.

[bartonmd]

Body lifting doesn't raise the engine...

But it creates some space so that the engine/trans/TC COULD be raised in relation to the frame.

Gotcha...

ETA: Nevermind

Mike

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

This talk makes me happy!!!

[chevycrew]

Im surprised with all the TB's out there, there are so few with a solid front axle.

Limitations seem to be engine clearance, and steering.


I have just sold my rockcrawler and am looking to build a newer more comfy ride.

Starting with a Trail Blazer, plans will be dana 60 front, 14 bolt rear, s10 231 dual transfer cases and some big rubber.

Ive done 5 or 6 solid axle chevy trucks now, ranging from little to 46's and rockwells under my tow rig. Im hoping to shed some light on the possibilities of solid axles (with a budget) on these rigs.





I dont mean to come across cocky, just wanted to share some info on me and my plans.

For a look at my builds, you can search the same screen name on RME4X4.COM or PLANET4X4.NET.

Ill post up once I get my hands on a TB and the plans start to roll out.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Im surprised with all the TB's out there, there are so few with a solid front axle.

Limitations seem to be engine clearance, and steering.


I have just sold my rockcrawler and am looking to build a newer more comfy ride.

Starting with a Trail Blazer, plans will be dana 60 front, 14 bolt rear, s10 231 dual transfer cases and some big rubber.

Ive done 5 or 6 solid axle chevy trucks now, ranging from little to 46's and rockwells under my tow rig. Im hoping to shed some light on the possibilities of solid axles (with a budget) on these rigs.





I dont mean to come across cocky, just wanted to share some info on me and my plans.

For a look at my builds, you can search the same screen name on RME4X4.COM or PLANET4X4.NET.

Ill post up once I get my hands on a TB and the plans start to roll out.

Sweet deal. Can't wait to see a functional one. Do you know of more than the one with entire drivetrain swap? I am yet to find another.

[janesy86]

Cool! Keep us posted!