SAS

[captnewt]

So I found a pair of dana 44 front axle and dana 60 rear axle for $450. I've been reading the forums about previous sas builds and I would like to get some thoughts and opinions. How much money do you think it's gonna take to take? New transmission?

[Jrgunn5150]

Well... These are just my thoughts and opinions.

1. Everything cost at least 1.5 times as much and takes 1.5 times longer than I think it will.

2. While I've seen very frugal people get an SAS done on other platforms for under 2k,I'd expect to invest close to 5k front and rear myself.

3. A Dana 60 rear kind of sucks, unless it's a rare 35 spline. I'd probably rather have a TBSS rear.

4. No you don't need a new transmission, you can adapt nearly any case out there to a 4l60e

5. Although I'm new to the forum and the platform, I'm not new at all to wheeling. I could have bought anything I wanted for under 6500. I picked my Trailblazer because of the killer drive train, fully boxed frame, available bolt in 14 bolt rear, and mid travel coil overs front suspension. Plus Toyotas are ridiculously overpriced lol.

Anyway, point is, these things are capable out of the box. I drove mine through some fairly rough trails, in the snow, on the stockish minivan tires.

I have no personal knowledge here, but I'll bet money a rear locker, a three inch lift, and some aggressive 32-33's will take you nearly anywhere

[captnewt]

Alright I have the max 7 inch lift on now (body&suspend and 33's I just keep breaking the suspenion and want a lot more lift then just 3 suspension and I think sas is the only way to do that. If there's any other way id like to know

[Cable810]

If you read ChevyCrews BS thread take note that he mentions that the D44 requires more lift to clear the oil pan cause of the pumkins location. IIRC someone mention that the 44 is a bit to light of an axle to handle our vehicles weight. If I was to do it go D60 and 14bolt rear with the 10.5" ring gear. ChevyCrew said he has about 9-10K into it.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Go with Portals or AxleTech 4000s.

[captnewt]

Alright I've been reading up and people have been saying that I can use a SS rear and a D44 or 60 front. But are the axles the same legth? I was planning on puting 38's on will the axles support that?

[HARDTRAILZ]

44 is marginal then. Would need beefed up.

[Cable810]

Didn't Nakashige break a few axle shafts with a D44?

[ErikSS]

A Dana 44 will not hold up to what you want to do. Go Dana 60 or the ones HARDTRAILZ mentioned. You could also Message ChevyCrew for tips.

[HARDTRAILZ]

He should a bought rcv shafts then. You can build a 44 for 40s but a 60 is simpler

[Trail X]

Didn't Nakashige break a few axle shafts with a D44?

He seems to break everything, I think he must drive like an ahole.

It comes down to how you plan to drive your truck. Are you going to be flooring it up rocks? Or do you tend to take your time with wheel placement and judicious use of throttle?

[ErikSS]

James makes a valid point. Although, I attempt to build it so I can floor it, then drive smart. Under building is a disease.

[Jrgunn5150]

I was in this boat with my Yukon... I decided a 79 F150 for the weekends would make way more sense than spending so much on the Yukon

[captnewt]

Okay thanks. I'm not planning on anything hardcore offroad if any. All I really want to do is lift the front more honestly. So if I were to start building the build with a d60 front what do you guys think will be the cheapest route for the rear axle?

[HARDTRAILZ]

The SS 14 bolt is same strength as a 60 with direct fit n decent aftermarket support. May be a decent option.

[Jrgunn5150]

I agree, the SS rear is cheap and available, and bolts I

[captnewt]

Probably a stupid question but to be sure, if I were to do a d60 front and the SS rear, would the tires stick out the same length in the rear as they will in the front? I feel like a d60 is a lot bigger than a tb ss rear

[Jrgunn5150]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/60_front/

Those are the measurements of every common D60 front. It's OK, and common to be a little narrower in the rear, many vehicles are this way factory, helps with turning.

Narrowing the front is an option, as are wheel spacers for the rear

[v7guy]

There will be a fair difference in between the widths of the trailblazer SS rear and a dana 60 front, but as mentioned, spacers can fix you up.

I wouldn't get terribly caught up in finding an SS rear, it'll save some fab time, but you're going to have a fair amount involved already. Plus if you're going for leaf springs you're going to be cutting it all off anyway.

You'll also find a rear sump pan will help a fair bit in keeping it from being sky high.

Price is going to depend heavily on what exactly you build. Wheels and tires can add up real quick, so can gears and bearings for your axles. Then rod ends/bushings/steel/tube. I'd guess 5-6000 on the lower end depending on the deals you find. Ultimately you just gotta start buying parts and finding the deals to toss it all together.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Are you doing the work itself? If not...you will have far more in labor than any parts...