Straight Axle conversion

**dsfloyd** · 07-09-2009, 02:26 PM

Just a random question. How many people have either done or considered a solid front axle conversion on the newer 4wd? Just kinda looking to see if people like the solid axle or IFS. Its something I have considered but its something that I probably won't ever do or if I did is way down in the not so near distant future? Any thoughts?

**hmaster77** · 07-09-2009, 02:57 PM

never heard of that i know the straight axles are tougher but the newer systems are supposed to handle a lot better

**kylegillean** · 07-09-2009, 03:51 PM

yeah i have always thought about it too. but since only probably 10 percent of my driving is off road i dont think it would be worth the truck handling like **** for the other 90 percent

**dsfloyd** · 07-09-2009, 04:03 PM

I like the looks of the solid front axle. I unfortunately don't get to do much wheeling and in socal its mostly desert anyway. Its funny in the 3 years I have had the 2500 i have gotten used to a dump truck ride where you check youre teeth to make sure there still there after driving that I don't like the nice soft ride anymore

. Thats why i have been complaining about my new MX6 shocks, I can't get them firm enough.

**silveradotrailblazer** · 07-09-2009, 06:05 PM

We did alot of these conversions at the shop I worked at for over eight years and it a big undertaking if you dont have a shop and fabracating skills. We had a fabricator that worked at the shop who was just plain good at it. He did both leaf and coil spring conversions. The cost depends on the front axle you use, if its in good shape or needs alot of work. Our shop was distroyed about four years ago in hurricane Charlie, the owner and myself retired, he went to Tennesee and im in Alabama.

**silveradotrailblazer** · 07-09-2009, 06:16 PM

I forgot to mention in my last post that when we used leaf springs conversions we used Skyjacker softride springs and the customers were happy with the ride. We would use Offroad Unlimited kits as it was cheaper for us to buy than fabricate. With there kits they make there front spring brackets so you can use standard off the self early model aftermarket springs. There kit adds 3inchs to what spring lift you buy. So if you want a total of 11-12 inches of lift you would use 8inch springs.

**Pete95Sierra** · 07-09-2009, 10:24 PM

if you are in the desert and sand then stay with the IFS. If you really want a solid axle there are conversion kits out there, but as they said it wont ride nearly as nice as the IFS does. I thought about doing it to my 95, but after the cost of the conversion, springs, axle, driveshaft and everything else I decided to just leave it how it was. If you are doing serious offroading in the rocks or any place where you need to flex then it is the best upgrade you can do to an IFS truck, but if you are in the sand or dunes than IFS is the way to go.

**Jimmiee** · 07-10-2009, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by silveradotrailblazer

I forgot to mention in my last post that when we used leaf springs conversions we used Skyjacker softride springs and the customers were happy with the ride. We would use Offroad Unlimited kits as it was cheaper for us to buy than fabricate. With there kits they make there front spring brackets so you can use standard off the self early model aftermarket springs. There kit adds 3inchs to what spring lift you buy. So if you want a total of 11-12 inches of lift you would use 8inch springs.

X2 on the Skyjacker Springs. I have a 4" Skyjacker lift on my 67' Landcruiser and it has a nice soft ride.