Solid Front Axle Conversion

renolaw · September 21, 2005

My buddy is taking the plunge and is junking all the front end set-up on his '05 Dmax for a solid axle conversion and leaf packs. Going with a Dana 70 w/ ARB up front. Now, i have a trailbuggy Jeep for Rubicon wheeling, but to take the blue torch to a new truck seems crazy. Its his $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and wants to build a more capable off-highway truck. Sure, solid front axle/leaf packs are IMO better that torsion or coils, but WTF??? I'd have a coronary chopping out all the OEM front end, ESPECIALLY on a daily driver.

Admittedly, it seems like a cool modification and the solid front axle will undoubtedly enhance off-highway performance, but there is a WTF?? factor i'm struggling with... So, anyone out there in 2500/3500 land seen a conversion like this on a NEW rig?

just wondering if i'm crazy to ask or it there are more out there with the same mod...

mb

dannyukonxl · September 21, 2005

i wouldnt go with leaf packs if i were him, id stick with some coils with a 5 link set up like the dodge rams, those front ends are real solid, i agree the live axle is better for offroading but i mean the ifs isnt that bad... anyways here is a link where they did it on a 2500 suburban http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/55398/

and off road unlimited site

http://www.offroadunlimited.com/store/index.php?cPath=77

Freyguy · September 22, 2005

There's a bunch of guys on fullsizechevy.com and pirate4x4.com that do this to newer rigs. They all say parts alone costs around 9k.

No thank you for me! I'll just wait to see if the rumors about a SFA in the 07 HD's ever comes true.

496 CUBIC INCHES · September 23, 2005

Pretty stupid IMO. Unless hes going to do some hardcore wheelin' the IFS will work just fine. That brings us to another point,if hes going to do some serious wheelin',why would he be doing it in a big ass diesel P/U?

I guess some guys have more money than brains.

dannyukonxl · September 23, 2005

Pretty stupid IMO. Unless hes going to do some hardcore wheelin' the IFS will work just fine. That brings us to another point,if hes going to do some serious wheelin',why would he be doing it in a big ass diesel P/U?

I guess some guys have more money than brains.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i agree to a certain extent, i know the dodge ram i used to have (2003 2500) was a very capable rig due to the front end build.. everyitng from steering to the links, i would feel much more safe in a dodge with a solid front than an IFS, We did a lot with the dodge as far as hauling things offroad that a smaller truck wouldnt be able to do and it go the job done with minimal effort...Its just a preference thing i guess, the GM has a MUCH nicer interior than the Dodge or the Ford especially, this i like, but i mean the IFS is a little loose for me in offroad situations.. tho its a charm on the streets. If i was in his position i would have picked up a dodge 2500 cc LB or that new megacab, very capable trucks, .. their transmissions still suck though

496 CUBIC INCHES · September 23, 2005

Pretty stupid IMO. Unless hes going to do some hardcore wheelin' the IFS will work just fine. That brings us to another point,if hes going to do some serious wheelin',why would he be doing it in a big ass diesel P/U?

I guess some guys have more money than brains.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i agree to a certain extent, i know the dodge ram i used to have (2003 2500) was a very capable rig due to the front end build.. everyitng from steering to the links, i would feel much more safe in a dodge with a solid front than an IFS, We did a lot with the dodge as far as hauling things offroad that a smaller truck wouldnt be able to do and it go the job done with minimal effort...Its just a preference thing i guess, the GM has a MUCH nicer interior than the Dodge or the Ford especially, this i like, but i mean the IFS is a little loose for me in offroad situations.. tho its a charm on the streets. If i was in his position i would have picked up a dodge 2500 cc LB or that new megacab, very capable trucks, .. their transmissions still suck though

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have a an x-cab short bed 2500HD,its not nearly the perfect off road rig,but its also pretty capable. I don't have the need for two trucks or a dedicated off road machine,so I use what I have. This guy seems like hes wasting a bunch of money to make his truck into an off road warior,when it will NEVER be as capable as a CJ,landcruiser or such. He could spend the 9-10 grand it'll cost for the conversion and build a sweet rig that'll do things his bigger truck never will.