SFA Bracket Kit & Plans Interest Inquiry

ARBSeth · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:01 am

Everything will be laser cut... highest quality. I don't mess around. Do it once, do it right!

Calvin56 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:59 am **Posts:** 345

Seth, I've definately got a huge interest in your process there. I'm a real newbie to fabbing suspensions, etc; but I would really like to learn more and something more DIY than a standard kit for the shop. I definately have the capacity to work on something like this if the destructions are good enough.... :twisted:

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:24 am

what will the brackets be made of? steel? aluminum? thinking about strength here, I want something I can beat to hell and still tow my buddy's suburban home!

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:14 am

Seth I am about to run to Moab in excitement! Please let me know if I can help out at all! I will be willing to pay in excess of $800 for this kit because I want 33's-35's!!!!!! I have an 02 that is totally paied for and I am willing to trash the heck outta it in the name of wheeling and LOST. Lets get this show on the road! I want to be able to show all my friends what a KJ is really made of! Show me those black rated trails!

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:21 am

uvalax236 wrote:

I want to be able to show all my friends what a KJ is really made of!

Doesn't a solid axle swap kinda negate the whole "liberties are capable rigs" statement, since you're ditching what's considered the biggest hinderance to the KJ?

zjmikey · **Joined:** Mon Jul 11, 2005 1:01 am **Posts:** 90

Seth, go for it. do some nice laser cut brackets.

Just do some research to make sure you get the antisquat/antidive characteritics dialed.

The Kjs' have a [pretty thick unibody, you may even be able to do a bolt on kit, providing you put some sleeved backing plates on it

jpzkj · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 2:12 am

That 8.8 from a Ford Explorer is 58" w/disc brakes and 31 Spline Axles, add some spacers and your at 60"'s

I would think that the price would be something in the neighborhood of a Solid axle swap for an Exterra or Toyota Pickup wouldn't it ?

http://www.purenissan.com/s_a_s__system.htm

kevh · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 2:15 am

i would be willing to pay around 2k. that would have to include the springs and shocks or coilovers though. take that 2k and add the $$ it will cost for the axles/shafts/driveshafts/control arms/gearing/brake lines/tires/etc and you will be right up around the 3k mark which still makes it a viable option. any more than that and the kj just isnt worth the upgrade.

i am with everyone else about researching the handling characteristics. i coulda stayed with the tj on 35s if i wanted to continue dealing with bump steer and the other fine characteristics of a lifted sfa

KJ04 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:46 am

Seth,
I'm thinking you're a fair minded guy, and since it's your time and money going into this project, just give us your ball park figure on a fair price you're comfortable with. Then give us a ballpark figure on all the other componets we would need including axles, gearing, ect. for running 33X12.50's on the d-30 front and our 8:25 rear that will hold up to some decent wheeling so we can determine what the total ballpark figure would be for the conversion, otherwise I fear that this topic will just run into pages and pages of shear confusion.

Thanks for your time and effort in this venture. I'll be paying close attention to your future posts for updates.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:27 am

jpzkj wrote:

That 8.8 from a Ford Explorer is 58" w/disc brakes and 31 Spline Axles, add some spacers and your at 60"'s

I would think that the price would be something in the neighborhood of a Solid axle swap for an Exterra or Toyota Pickup wouldn't it ?

http://www.purenissan.com/s_a_s__system.htm

Actually, it's from an 89 Lincoln Mark VII LSC. 29 spline axles, TracLok, and I got two of em at the same time...one resides under my t-bird.

krazz1e · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:02 pm

Quote:

zjmikey wrote: Uh, Yeah, 35's are way too big for a daily driver, what was I thinking..

Yo dude, I have driven on 35's M/T on the feeway and I'm telling you I don't like em. If this is my DD 35's are not worth putting on.

1) Noise
2) Gas Mileage
3) SLOW, re-gear everything
4) OK, look cooler, but really 33's will go where your 35's can.

If this remains my DD with weekend warrior wheelin then it needs a good balance and a 33" is a good fit for me. Glad you enjoy your 35" though.

JediJeeper · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 4:45 pm

Hey Seth,

Since you seem like a "builder type", I will lay an idea on you.

I was thinking of grabbing a couple front subframes from wrecked KJs and making all the mods to them so they bolt back in place under the front with spring buckets and lower radius arm mounts and a perch for the steering gear. Then the only thing needed in addition is the brackets for the axle, the springs, the radius arms and the steering components (which could all be whatever the owner actually wants to run, you could build so that the TJ long radius arm kit from Rubicon or someone works perfect).

Anyway, then you just have someone send in their subframe and you send out one of yours all ready to go (with brackets for axle, springs, radius arms and whatever else they want to buy from you).

I actually think this could be a good deal and would probably get a lot of interest...

Anyway, just an idea I have been toying with as my kit I built for mine fits right into this methodology and the partners I have worked with to produce mine do not seem to be moving very fast (yeah, they are waiting for more KJs to be out of payments and warranty before they make any tooling investments).

-Adam

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:12 pm

Adam, that sounds like a great idea. Sure would keep the amount of welding down for those that don't have the means and help to make it more of a "bolt-in" style kit. Adding in the fabbed frame rails w/ brackets already added too would be cool.

ARBSeth · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:17 pm

I like the idea... but once again we're talking about more $$ to do it.

We could build it. It would be even easier to hang on the Jeep that way, too. Be a royal pain in the arse to ship...but also doable. I don't know how universal it would be... but if it's metal, it's shapable, right?!

Anyway, drop me a line man! we'll talk about it!

Later

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:19 pm

if it happens that way i am down for sure. But what about springs? who would supply our springs?

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:35 pm

I'd personally just go for broke and get a King coilover setup.

no point in doin an SFA swap if you're not gonna go whole hog.

Myke · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:14 pm

ARBSeth wrote:

but how many of you would run 35" vs 33" tires?

How much do you think it would cost to run 49"

jpzkj · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:42 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

jpzkj wrote:

That 8.8 from a Ford Explorer is 58" w/disc brakes and 31 Spline Axles, add some spacers and your at 60"'s

I would think that the price would be something in the neighborhood of a Solid axle swap for an Exterra or Toyota Pickup wouldn't it ?

http://www.purenissan.com/s_a_s__system.htm

Actually, it's from an 89 Lincoln Mark VII LSC. 29 spline axles, TracLok, and I got two of em at the same time...one resides under my t-bird.

Those wouldn't be an an upgrade from the 8.25 . The 31 spline 8.8 is a little stronger than the D44 and you get the disc brakes. If you get and Explorer 8.8 w/4:10's you get the trac-loc. but the E-Locker is what I'd like to have http://www.traction.eaton.com/prod1.htm

benmar2000 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:37 pm

I am running an 8.8 in my YJ and I can say that thing is great.. I am glad that Jeep didn't put the dreaded D35 in the KJ.. That diff.. Well.. I will be nice... LOL..

Ben

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:40 pm

jp, I wasn't planning on using the rearend as-is, stock, for any reason:) it'd get new axles, gears, and a new diff. it'd be a good starting point for mockup though.

course, for mockup, i could just use the old drum brake 8.8 too.

SFA Bracket Kit & Plans Interest Inquiry

Who is online