Anyone done a solid front axle swap?

[6.5SmokeStack]

I was talking with one of my buddies who has done a Solid front axle swap on his 87 Toyota pickup and he said it was kind of easy but a little challenge to figure out the sterring, so i was wondering if anyone has done a solid axle swap from IFS on the K2500 Pick up. Also if you did how long did it end up taking? thanks!

[Chevylover]

1996 K2500 Regular Cab Long bed, Lund Side Steps, Diamond plate tool box, Dual 5"stacks/Y-Pipe Kit, $50 (swapMeet) Lund Brush guard, Tinted windows, American Racing Wheels with 33 DunPop Wheels wrapped on them, planning on getting most of the upgrades from SS Diesel! (Also 6" IFS Lift with 3" Body, and Paint coming soon!)

I don't know nothing about the axle swap, but if i've read in your signature that you're planning to install a 6" IFS lift and 3" bodylift !?!
Sorry, but on a 6.5 TD you can't install a bodyliftkit because of the side mount turbo. If you raise the cab on the frame the turbo/exhaust will hit the inner fender on the passenger side. the only thing is to remove the inner fender, but than all the water your tires will splash up while driving in rain or through mud will hit the hot turbo. That can't be good.

Just a thought.

Cu,
Sven

[6.5SmokeStack]

ahh, alright well thank you for the info on the body lift ;) I geuss i'll stay away from doing that, then i'll just do the suspension lift if i dont find out about the axle swap, thanks!

[bigcountry]

thats something I have been looking into but have not done it yet there is a couple of companys that have the kits you just need to provide the axle bu all the brackets and steering problems are all figured out
If you do it yourself when you take ot the old suspension it takes out the cross member so the only thing holing the frame together is the engine so plan on fabricating a new one

[bigcountry]

I have the names of a few places that have the kits Fabworks, Off-road direct, Off road unlimited and Fabritech
4wheel & off-road magazine has more info in july 2006 issue they have also been building a better IFS system on a 92 2500 ex-cab 454 with a 4in lift called project red sled

[6.5SmokeStack]

cool thank you, yeah i read that article on the Red Sled, pretty sweet ;) to bad it aint a 6.5 ;)

[jbclassix]

I did a SAS on my truck. If you have every part you will need to install, every tool you will need, and are a skilled mechanic, it sould take about 14 hours. When I did mine, I had a fully build axle assembly, and all the parts ready to install. I had just had surgery on my arm so my fiance did most of the work (she's my wife now). I had to do some cutting and welding on the frame, but it was nothing structural. I got a lot of info on the swap if you need it.

[surreysinner]

I did a 6" pro comp and hate it. The ifs is complete garbage if you actaully plan on using your 4 wheel. It took 2 outings and it packed it in.

Im planning on doing a 10" lift with a dana 60 in the near future. It makes sense since the front end is shot anyways and i like to 4x4. So hopefully before christmas you will see my duall on 40" boggers.

[njdevi11]

Did you do leafs or coils+4link? If you've got some good pictures of the setup put them up so we can take a look. I'm considering 4-linking the front of my CJ, That is after all the other mickey mouse stuff is taken care of like my drive shafts and electrical.

[JohnnyRebel]

wow people, i thought you guys were mechanically inclined... you CAN put a body lift on a six five!

jeeze.

i saw a website of some swedish dude with a burban that did a 3", and didnt even have to touch his well.

there are coolant lines that run under there, so re route em.

if need be, cut a hole in the wheel well, and make a recessed cover, easier than changing injectors, or putting a heat-sink on any day.

with a body lift, i bet you could even run a 4" DP... how cool is that? :P

[deerefanatic]

Here's the million dollar question:

Can you take an IFS system off a junked K1500 along with t-case and put it on a C1500? :D Making a 4x4 C1500 :D :D

[jbclassix]

if you want to cut the frame horns and swap them out... then yes. The frames of two wheel drive and four wheel drive are very different.