Explorer SAS questions

[5.0explorer]

Well gettin' ready to swap a TJ or an XJ front D30 into this 1992 explorer and have some questions I'd much appreciate some input on. I've decided to go with a pre made long arm setup with 6" explorer lift coils and a track bar to keep it located. I don't want to have to fab an upper control arm mount so i've narrowed it down to three different kits, this is what i'd like some input on. I'm lookin' at the Rubicon Express LA uprgrade kit, the Clayton off road Hard Arm long arm kit, and the Iron Rock off road Iron Y long arm kit. Now like 99% of us i'm not rich nor am i an engineer so I need to find a happy medium between price and ease of installation (if I was rich i'd pay someone to build and install it, if I was an engineer i'd build my own from scratch, you get the point). Because of these reasons I am drawn to the Iron Rock setup as it is the cheapest of the 3 and the arms have no adjustments to deal with. I am curious about its strength though since it has only one upper control arm. Anyway thats what i've got, oh, and keep in mind this rig will be driven on and off road. Thanks!

 

[Devel]

First off, Y use a Dana 30? if you are going to build it up why not use something strong like a Bronco D44 which is already set up for radius arms, that way you dont have to fab any upper mounts and you have a stronger axle to begin with

 

[5.0explorer]

Yea I know, that would be awesome but I don't know where I can get a D44 for the same price as a D30 so i'm just goin with that cuz that's what I can afford right now. I'm only runnin 33" tires for now anyway, later when I up the tire size I will definately upgrade to the D44. But I totally agree, if I had the money thats exactly what i'd be doin. But since you brought that up, is the older box bronco D44 any wider than the D30? I know the newer bronco and f150's are full width but I always wondered bout the box bronc.

 

[Devel]

Yea I know, that would be awesome but I don't know where I can get a D44 for the same price as a D30 so i'm just goin with that cuz that's what I can afford right now. I'm only runnin 33" tires for now anyway, later when I up the tire size I will definately upgrade to the D44. But I totally agree, if I had the money thats exactly what i'd be doin. But since you brought that up, is the older box bronco D44 any wider than the D30? I know the newer bronco and f150's are full width but I always wondered bout the box bronc.

I beleave the box broncos are just a little bit wider than Jeep axles, hell the d30 front is going to b wider than the rear axle in ur exploder, mite as well find an old box bronco and put the 44 front and 9in rear in it

 

[Bart]

I know where there's an EB 44 housing that could be had for cheap. I'll find out more info if you're interested.

 

[5.0explorer]

I beleave the box broncos are just a little bit wider than Jeep axles, hell the d30 front is going to b wider than the rear axle in ur exploder, mite as well find an old box bronco and put the 44 front and 9in rear in it

There again if I could get that money tree in my backyard to grow i'd be all over it. I'm just tryin to make what I got work for now.

 

[5.0explorer]

I know where there's an EB 44 housing that could be had for cheap. I'll find out more info if you're interested.

Think ill just stick with the 30 for now, but thanks!

 

[5.0explorer]

Ok so........uh........let's pretend I have a TJ that i'm lookin to upgrade to a long arm setup, I know RE makes great stuff, what do people think bout' the Clayton off road hard arm and the Iron Rock off road iron Y?

 

[I Lean]

Clayton's stuff is great, never heard of Iron Rock before.

 

[jsudar]

Last time I took a measuring tape to it, I remember the full width 44 and 9" being almost exactly six inches wider that the EB axles. However, i cannot remember either measurement, so I suppose this is worthless information.

I had a 1992 Explorer and when I looked into an SAS, it looked a lot easier to use a radius arm set up since a lot of your mounting points would be in the same location. If you are set on using your D30, I think James Duff sells wedges you can weld on to an axle tube. Or just find a EB D30 and steal them from that. I even have some EB radius arms that I might not need for my project.

If you haven't already done your motor/trans swap, performance automotive transmission center (PATC) makes an adapter plate to bolt in a 700R4 in place of the A4LD. Then you could still run your 4.0l, but have a decent tranny with lots of aftermarket support. Tranny swaps are easier than motor swaps, IMHO.

 

[Bucking Bronco]

If you go radius arms I have a set of radius arms, upper coil spring buckets, and the drop brackets for the radius arms from a 79 bronco. I also have 2 shock towers from a f-350. This is almost everything used when swapping a Solid axle D44 in a 80-96 bronco. so most should work for you. all you would need is the wedges which are 79.00

I will sell everything for 40.00 I will also throw in some blocks if they will fit your rear springs

 

[phatfoto]

SInce I'm contemplating a similar swap on a Ranger, I'll offer thoughts.

A D30 isn't a bad axle choice, cheap enough to get and use for now, and easy to find parts for. Besides, how many built XJ/TJ/ZJs are out there rolling 35s on D30s? I know of guys running V8s in Rangers that run D30s. Sure, you have to think about it, but I know folks that can break almost any axle with small power.

A D30 already has control arm brackets attached. So the kits he is looking at are sort of what I'm looking at too. So the single biggest issue is placing the frame mounts for Y-link type "radius arms". I know the Ranger frame is narrower than the "frame rails" of the XJ/ZJ, so custom mounts are needed, ot a bolt in kit. Likely, the Explorer too is narrower.

As for the kits, I've never heard anything bad about the RE or the Claytons. But the Iron Rock would be off the list for one of your reasons, no adjusability. You won't be able to adjust axle caster? Not a good idea in my book.

As for the use of lift springs for an Exploder, they will be too stiff when you go SAS, no articulation. Remember that the TTB is a lever action multiplier, so those springs are about 2x stiffer than a SAS set of springs. Since my lift is 6" right now, I'm expecting to need 8" XJ coils to get the same lift on my Ranger. Also, lots of Ranger guys are running Early Bronco lift springs too.

Great resource for your swap is Explorer4x4.com and TheRangerStation.com

 

[5.0explorer]

If you haven't already done your motor/trans swap, performance automotive transmission center (PATC) makes an adapter plate to bolt in a 700R4 in place of the A4LD. Then you could still run your 4.0l, but have a decent tranny with lots of aftermarket support. Tranny swaps are easier than motor swaps, IMHO.[/QUOTE]

I'm doin the motor/trans swap cuz both are junk in the explorer (got the whole rig for 400 bucks so not gonna complain) and I already have a 92' mustang with a newly built 5.0 and AOD that will be my donor for the swap. I also like that Advance Adapters makes an adapter that will mate my explorer BW transfer case to the AOD and retain the factory crossmember for easy installation.

 

[5.0explorer]

Phatfoto- I totally agree about the D30, I'm only runnin' 33's and yea i'll have to think a little before hammerin' down to get up an obstacle but it's a hell of alot better than seein it sit in my garage! atleast it'll get me on the trail. I emailed clayton off road and he recommended the TJ long arm kit because he thought the measurements would be more similar than the XJ and because the brackets for the mounts to the frame should'nt need much tweaking. Thanks for the info about the front coils, didn't know the ttb springs were that much stiffer. I'm pretty sure i'm gonna go with the clayton setup so i'll let ya know how it goes. What have you done for leafs in the rear? I gotta see how much lift i get after swapping the axle under the leafs

 

[phatfoto]

XJ springs are maybe 200-240 pounds per inch, TTB Ranger springs are ususally better than 350 usually more like 420... The split beams add a "nutcracker" effect so it takes a stiff spring. Use the TTB springs for the SAS and it will feel like everthing is solid.

I'm hoping to use some 63" Chevy 1/2 ton leafs. I'll have to move the front spring hangers forward 6". I want to get rid of the wasted stock springs with addaleafs. I also want to get rid of liftblocks altogether. Explorer springs would be a good second choice.

 

[MoabB2]

I'm working on a similar project. A lot of good advice has been given so far.

Advanced adapters does make an adapter for you to keep your stock TC with the AOD. And jamesduff.com and explorerforum.com are good resources for you.

I have the 5.0 in my BroncoII. I'll be going with an Early Bronco Dana 44 and 9". They are plenty strong, proven, and have a strong aftermarket. The swap is pretty straight forward too, as the Bronco II and Explorer are similar to the EB. If you are dead set on running jeep parts, then go for it, it could work well. However I imagine it will cost more and take a little more time to figure out.

Maybe the EB Dana 30 is an option for you....they are pretty cheap. Dana 30

 

[MoabB2]

This may interest you:

http://broncoii.org/forum/index.php?topic=2583.0