I.F.S. vs. S.A.

[bubbatrucklover]

I have a question on a S.A.S. vs. my current I.F.S.

I was always lead to believe that the goal was to go for a S.A.S. ESPECIALLY if I want to go from a 9"suspension to a 12" suspension lift. This would put less stress on the front suspension components. The solid axel would provide a more rugged suspension and WAY less headaches for any off roading fun on weekends.

NOW recently, a regular customer at work has me questioning my thought process. He said if my truck was to remain a DD(which it is) to keep the I.F.S. Going to a S.A.S. is more for off roading. He switched to a S.A.S. (because he abuses his truck for work getting into rough terrain) and that he has had to have it aligned a half a dozen times (or so) in less then 2 years. He adds that an I.F.S. can be aligned 2 ways per tire where as a S.A. is only one.

So I would like some input from others who have done the conversion and keep their truck as more or less a DD with some off roading. Do you agree that keeping an alignment is a PITA with a S.A. or not?

Thanks in advance.

 

[CJ Hungus]

I'll bump this for you to get Brian (Alljackedup408) in here. He is the SAS guru.

 

[Zembonez]

With a solid axle, you basically set the toe and that's it. It doesn't have traditional caster and camber adjustments like an IFS setup is because it's all one piece.

 

[bubbatrucklover]

I'll bump this for you to get Brian (Alljackedup408) in here. He is the SAS guru.

Thanks.

With a solid axle, you basically set the toe and that's it. It doesn't have traditional caster and camber adjustments like an IFS setup is because it's all one piece.

Right that's the way I understood it. He was saying that driving highway the majority of the time would somehow affect the front end alignment more so on a S.A. then an I.F.S.

This is the first negative I've heard by going with a solid axle.

 

[Black02Silverado]

I alway thought SAS is the better way to go if you want to lift a vehicle.

 

[Matt_]

There ARE camber/caster adjustments on some solid axles. I can't remember all of them off the top of my head, but it's basically a sleeve... looks like this:

For 12" of lift... SAS is the way to go.

 

[bubbatrucklover]

I alway thought SAS is the better way to go if you want to lift a vehicle.

As I said I believed that to be true also,however it does seem to make sense that it's what you want your truck for and how much your going to stress the suspension componants in your use/abuse of the truck. Also the ammount of lift plays a decisive factor.

In my case,I would like a 12" lift,but it's more so that if I go SAS there's no reason to stay at 9" when I can go up the extra 3"for probably not much more then staying at 9" but IDK.

There ARE camber/caster adjustments on some solid axles. I can't remember all of them off the top of my head, but it's basically a sleeve... looks like this:

For 12" of lift... SAS is the way to go.

Thanks,that's good to know there's something like that out there.

 

[Matt_]

Not to mention that if you're running 9+ of lift with probably 38" tires, a properly done SAS will hold an alignment and be more reliable than ANY 1500 series suspension lift.

I think its very possible that the person you were talking to didn't really know a lot about what they were talking about

 

[bubbatrucklover]

Not to mention that if you're running 9+ of lift with probably 38" tires, a properly done SAS will hold an alignment and be more reliable than ANY 1500 series suspension lift.

I think its very possible that the person you were talking to didn't really know a lot about what they were talking about

That's why I came here to get some knowledgeable info/opinions from the masses. Based on my research I (as stated) thought the SAS to be the ultimate in front suspensions. Just didn't want to rule out this guy might be right.

 

[agjake11]

refer to these pics

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4261214&postcount=1