I've ssen quite a bit of 96 and earleir swaps, but does anyone know if the 97+ are much different? I've been searching, with limited success...

Frank

 

ALOT different. the 97-03 frames are horrid.

check out my build thread LINK IN MY SIG.

also contact Farmboy Fabrications he has a starters kit for the swap.

 

I agree had to completely re do my front with addition of a subframe and bracing

check out my gallery

https://www.f150online.com/forums/me...k-rampage.html

 

do you have pictures of the new stuff?

 

I've been looking at fabritech they seem to have a kit for the swap

 

its junk.


the only true kit is made by Farmboy Fabrications and its just some of the stuff you need. Check it out on his website

 

Jesse just has it for leaves I think. I don't know that I'd go through the trouble of the SAS only to end up running leaves. They flex horrible compared to the coil spring counter parts.


Really the best way to go about it is to cut off the whole front crossmember and make a lower profile one, preferably a bolt in so its easier to work on the engine. From there Ballistic fab has all the bracketry you need to run a 3 link with coils. They have the coil buckets, link mounts, and trac bar mounts for both the axle end and frame end. The bracketry is about $150, then just get some 2" DOM, coils, and some Summit Machine joints and bushing ends and you're set.

The other thing that you have to keep in mind is that on alot of the 97+ trucks a 4 wheel ABS system was used. If you have this then you'll have to rig up an ABS sensor and tone ring on the front axle as I don't think theres a way to disable the ABS. This is really only a problem if you have an auto. A manual truck really doesn't have any issues.

 

waht do you mean leafs dont flex ?

check out my pics 97 only had rear abs not front and with a proper swap you can still retain abs not like it matters...

 

Leaves flex horribly compared to a coil spring link setup. This is why you don't see them on any comp buggies aside from the lower class rigs. They only thing they have going for them is the simplicity. Poor flex, little tuneability, and horrible approach and departure angles.

 

that may be true but my rig is not for competion's it is for cuttting a trail and going where I want i would not run a linkystem only to have it ripped out by some boulder or tree trunk in the way leaves tend to slide over stuff and as far as approach angles well it is allin the line you choose

 

You obviously were out sick the day they taught sentence structure in school.



The weak suspension link system comment is funny, good job. Here is the link suspension on my Juggy. Can yours flex that good? On top of that since I run air shocks its infinitely adjustable for ride height, ride, flex, etc. This rig has been tons of boulders and tree stumps from the previous owner (mainly) and me and the axle is still firmly in place and no bent links. FYI, the front is just a 3 link which is essentially the same suspension concept that Ford has run in the F150, Bronco, and Ranger line for years. Mine just has longer links and flex joints so it doesn't bind up as easy.





The way leaves slide up and over things? Maybe once in a great while it might do that, but for the most part your leaves won't ever touch anything depending on tire size and arch angle. Typically the front bumper hits first.


The right line isn't always possible, or only one line through something may exist. At that point approach and depature angles mean the difference between making it and getting stuck.

 

Coils do flex better, but on the back of a mountain, 45 miles from civilization in bear country, break a coil and you are stuck. Break one leaf, you will probably make it home.

 

so very true and if ya pick your line your bumpers will not contact nor bottom out if ya get my point .. on 44's they are well out of the way,
i like big old thick heavy solid steel bumpers .. and as for my sentence structure why do you think my truck is named redneck rampage?

 

i seriously get tired of reading these threads when someone doesnt agree with somehing you say you take it offensively...come on think about it guy...you could solid axle swap a truck for well under 5,000 with leafs, shocks, and fabrication.....now when you get in to coilovers depening on what company you run, you can spend well over 5,000 on coils, then why stop there you might as well rebuild both axles that are still prolly gonna break, then 3 link the front and 4 link the rear your over 10,000 in a decent shop....think about it maybe he has a budget...not everyone has ddep pockets guy...most people just wanna have fun without breaking the bank....ya if your rock crawling, climbing walls, etc coilovers are a great choice...if your knocking stuff over, going through brush, mud, water, etcleaf springs do the trick...not every is in competition....

and dont complain about peoples grammar its the internet its not school guy...you might wanna check your sentence punctuation and spelling before you say anything...he ask for insight not criticism....

but anyways go to any custom offroad company and ask around get some quotes on what you want and they are pretty reasonable in todays economy, remember offroad companies are hurting for any buisness they are not a necessity they are a luxury so you can get a great deal

 

Dude, how have you been man?! Talk about long time no see

I still owe you some for all of the tech help you gave me way back in the day. Thanks again


However, I beg to differ on the leafs cant flex talk. Sure its no 4link/coilovers or airshocks, but it is more than capable of twisting up for a 1/2ton pickup. Think about what most of these people are using their trucks for also.






Thanks to a lot of recent interest from this site, we have taken what was once just me trying to ditch my crappy IFS, to a starter kit, to a near complete do-it-yourself conversion built for various perch width axles and lift heights