Sas

[ZEUS]

Look, I'm a complete plebe when it comes to real offroading. I'm a pretty good wrench, and a real good body/paint guy... this is how I make a living. My question is... whats the deal, with a solid front axle? I spec (road) race as a hobby, and a solid axle is the anti-Kriste. Stronger? more articulation? ability to hook up some crazy, torquey rears? all the above? I don't get it.

One of the better things about solid axles when compared to IFS is the means of articulation. When one side of an IFS droops, that's it, it is at the end of it's travel, and so if it does get to that point, there is no available traction to that tire because there is no weight on that tire. All the weight at the front of the rig is on the opposing tire. Where as with a solid axle, one tire is stuffed into the wheel well until the axle hits the bump stop. When the axle hits the bump stop at one side the other side is forced downward - the bumpstop acts as a fulcrum or pivot point for the axle, so more weight/traction is sent to the drooping side than an IFS rig in the same situation. This can increase stability. To a lesser degree, even before the axle hits the bump stop the axle is tied to two springs instead of one so the same influence is on the axle even before it reaches max droop or compression.

Other pros to soild axle swaps are the ease of axle shaft replacement, lack of fragile CV's and boots (stronger U-joints), availability of parts (aftermarket and stock), increased suspension travel, general durability of parts, water resistance, etc. They are all 4x4 offroad improvements to get you in and out of the back country much more effectivley and efficiently.

I haven't been able to justify an SAS for my daily driver yet or I would already be under way - as long as my VX has been 2wd anyway I wouldn't have to complete the swap right away.

I would like to take the time to ask again, putting tires that big on an IFS equipped VX... is somebody eating Rice Crispies?

[Chopper]

I like the 2wd thing. Do you get the 10% that went forward, out back, or is it just lost in the hardware? I'm thinkin', Rodeo 4x, or Trooper, manual, bones as the starting point

[ZEUS]

I like the 2wd thing. Do you get the 10% that went forward, out back, or is it just lost in the hardware? I'm thinkin', Rodeo 4x, or Trooper, manual, bones as the starting point

I truly like driving the VX in 2wd. When the tranny shifts, it sets you back - everything feels more free. You need to realize too though, I knocked out the weight of the front axle assembly and the front driveshaft. But there must be less strain at the tranny right? There are only 2 wheels getting in the way - the front two are just coasters! Anyway, I do feel the TOD robs acceleration and power.

[JHarris1385]

I truly like driving the VX in 2wd. When the tranny shifts, it sets you back - everything feels more free. You need to realize too though, I knocked out the weight of the front axle assembly and the front driveshaft. But there must be less strain at the tranny right? There are only 2 wheels getting in the way - the front two are just coasters! Anyway, I do feel the TOD robs acceleration and power.

I must have missed a thread somewhere. I had no idea you were true 2wd. I thought I had always read it was not possible, even if you did disconnect the TOD wires. Is your 2wd selectable? How is this done?

[VCrossfan]

Go for it Nerve ! ! ! If my engine ever goes I'm going sb chevy LS1 (there getting cheaper) or maybe the LS2 (still pricey) w/Auto Trans or there about, But nerve it will be 2wd with TOD out and the stance alittle lower. Then I'll have a trans and TOD for sale, ooops make that two TOD's For Sale I still have a brand new OEM wrapped up and sitting on standby for me or a fellow VX'r...

[ZEUS]

I must have missed a thread somewhere. I had no idea you were true 2wd. I thought I had always read it was not possible, even if you did disconnect the TOD wires. Is your 2wd selectable? How is this done?

Well, when I say "I knocked out the weight of the front axle assembly and the front driveshaft."... that means I removed the front axle assembly and front driveshaft. I have been 2wd since May while I weighed out collecting parts to rebuild my IFS... or going SAS, which i have passed on... for now.

[Chopper]

That's definitely badazz. But a RWD VX is cool too...once all that hardware, TOD, hubs and all are exorcized. Nothing like losing some weight, to make you feel good.

[Nerve_Gas]

Well I have looked at my financial situation and it is on hold for now what with going back to college and all. But it will come sonn and I'm going to find a cheaper way to do it. But I really want to do it and I still intend to.

[Nerve_Gas]

I would like to take the time to ask again, putting tires that big on an IFS equipped VX... is somebody eating Rice Crispies?

Nothing broken yet other than my CV boots. All in all the ifs it pretty strong but not strong enough.

[ZEUS]

Nothing broken yet other than my CV boots. All in all the ifs it pretty strong but not strong enough.

Yeah, CV boots have always pissed me off. It sucks when the ball joints have fatigued enough to break to. In time, one of those tires will do a lot of damage when and if a ball joint does break and your tire ends up under your rocker panel - it almost happened to me when my Sonoma lost a ball joint - I was only doing 15 mph though at the time - got lucky.