Tech: 88GMCtruck's SAS Dana 44 Build (no 56k)

[88gmctruck]

Since my SAS was completed before me coming to TTS, I have compiled a condensed thread of the SAS of my 88 Sierra. In the summer of 2008, I began collecting parts and once I had my new truck (the 02) I decided to replace the inadequate IFS in my 88 Sierra and install a Dana 44 Solid Axle. With the help of my Dad, the project took 3 weeks to finish. The goal is to keep it all GM, run 35's, and make it look like it rolled off the assembly line with the solid axle. I also wanted to keep the bill under $2,500 (excluding wheels/tires). The total cost was $2,700 for the lift, and $1,500 for wheels/tires.

Some random “before” pictures, since you haven’t seen them.

My intent was to basically make the truck more capable and stronger than it was with IFS. I'm not going to wheel the living pee out of it which is why I'm only going with a D44, and I don't need it to be huge by any means. Honestly the choice of 35's basically boils down to the fact that I'm going to still be driving this regularly and large tires cost big bucks!

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The Plan:

Front Axle: Dana 44 from 1977 GMC K15, 3.73s, trussed, flat top knuckles, HD shafts, spicer joints, Warn Premium hubs.

Rear Axle: 14 Bolt SF from 1993 C2500, 3.73s, G80

Transfer Case: Passenger drop NP241-C from a 1990 1500 Suburban

Steering: DT machine steering arms, Full crossover and hi-steer, Superlift 1104 Pitman

Front Suspension: Custom front spring mounts, 1977 GMC rear spring mounts, 52" springs & shackles with overloads removed from the rear of the 1977

Rear Suspension: ORD shacke flip, 4" block, Stock 64" springs

Brakes: Stock 1977 front discs, Stock 1993 rear drums, teflon/kevlar/stainless lines from ORD

Shocks: Rancho RS5000

315/75R16 Mickey Thompson MTZ

16x8 Raceline Renegade 6

7-21-2008
Out goes the IFS:

Inadequate parts:

I started removing the transfercase, and started mounting the front springs.

52" spring with overloads removed

Front Spring mount built and welded

Spring hanging from front at approx. unloaded height.

7-24-2008
Started grinding the remaining metal off from the old IFS brackets. We have added additional to the inside of the frame under the cab and one spring is fully in place

 

[88gmctruck]

7-27-2008
The transfercase is in waiting for a new crossmember and shift linkage. We removed most of the old IFS crossmember and 1/4" plated it, and made a new set of spring hangers 1" forward and 1" lower than the previous also 1/4". The axle was fully stripped and painted.

The springs are a custom pack made from two sets of 5 leaf 1/2ton 73-87 Chevy truck rear packs. Two shorter leaves were made from one pack and added. All were painted individually as well. They were installed with energy suspension bushings.

We have everything tacked on and she is now sitting! These tires are only 29" but after measuring I think the truck is sitting at 7-8" of lift.

We are going to add an additional crossmember between the front spring perches and build my steering soon. I have all my parts now except shocks.

She sits on her new suspension!

Front 1/4" spring hangers, boxed

Rear spring hangers from 77 GMC (they will be fully welded soon)

Flat plated crossmember

Custom 7-leaf pack

New t-case installed, waiting for custom crossmember

7-31-2008
-Crossover steering
-Drop transmission crossmember finished
-New front crossmember and shackle mounts finished (needs welded in)
-Figured out shocks and mounts
-Ground CV driveline to have enough workable angle and not bind

8-2-2008
Front frame ground clean

New crossmember and shackle mounts

Front with crossover & driveline

New trans crossmember

Ground driveline

Crossover

Truck sitting on a set of 32`s

All that is left up front is brake lines, shocks, swaybar and steering stabilizer, as well as the rear lift.

8-3-2008
Here is some more eye candy.

Sitting with the "Cali" lean - Fronts back together!

Brake lines

Steering Stabilizer

Started the rear lift

Shackle bolts aren’t tough enough, replacing with grade 8 (Note: ORD has since changed their bolts from grade 5 to grade 8)

I should have the rear pretty much finished up tonight and then it's just little things like making shock mounts up front. I only have to order shocks, wheels and tires as of now. She is nearing completion!!!

 

[88gmctruck]

7-27-2008
The transfercase is in waiting for a new crossmember and shift linkage. We removed most of the old IFS crossmember and 1/4" plated it, and made a new set of spring hangers 1" forward and 1" lower than the previous also 1/4". The axle was fully stripped and painted.

The springs are a custom pack made from two sets of 5 leaf 1/2ton 73-87 Chevy truck rear packs. Two shorter leaves were made from one pack and added. All were painted individually as well. They were installed with energy suspension bushings.

We have everything tacked on and she is now sitting! These tires are only 29" but after measuring I think the truck is sitting at 7-8" of lift.

We are going to add an additional crossmember between the front spring perches and build my steering soon. I have all my parts now except shocks.

She sits on her new suspension!

Front 1/4" spring hangers, boxed

Rear spring hangers from 77 GMC (they will be fully welded soon)

Flat plated crossmember

Custom 7-leaf pack

New t-case installed, waiting for custom crossmember

7-31-2008
-Crossover steering
-Drop transmission crossmember finished
-New front crossmember and shackle mounts finished (needs welded in)
-Figured out shocks and mounts
-Ground CV driveline to have enough workable angle and not bind

8-2-2008
Front frame ground clean

New crossmember and shackle mounts

Front with crossover & driveline

New trans crossmember

Ground driveline

Crossover

Truck sitting on a set of 32`s

All that is left up front is brake lines, shocks, swaybar and steering stabilizer, as well as the rear lift.

8-3-2008
Here is some more eye candy.

Sitting with the "Cali" lean - Fronts back together!

Brake lines

Steering Stabilizer

Started the rear lift

Shackle bolts aren’t tough enough, replacing with grade 8 (Note: ORD has since changed their bolts from grade 5 to grade 8)

I should have the rear pretty much finished up tonight and then it's just little things like making shock mounts up front. I only have to order shocks, wheels and tires as of now. She is nearing completion!!!

 

[88gmctruck]

8-4-2008
Well as of last night, the rear lift is installed. I ended up using the shackle flip and 4.5" blocks, and everything went together well. The rear is sitting about 3/4" taller than the front, just how I want it.

We also set the pinion angle within 1/2 degree of the transfercase. Now all I need is a 2" longer driveline, junkyard here I come!

I just ordered Rancho RS5000 shocks, 16x8 Renegade Raceline 6 wheels and 315/75R16 Mickey Thompson MTZ tires. Shocks, tires and wheels = ~$1,700. Building a solid axle GMC = PRICELESS!!!

8-7-2008
The anti-swaybar is FINALLY done. I personally think it was the single most time consuming piece on the truck, after fabricating it, mounting it to clear the tierod and pitman arm, brake lines, etc, and making the disconnect for it.

The new shifter linkage is also done. I kept the stock floor shift on the driver`s side and created a linkage to the passenger side. It is a very crazy looking piece as well. The shift pattern on the P-drop 241 is opposite the stock case. From top to bottom, stock was 4L-N-2H-4H and is now 4H-2H-N-4L. That will take some time to get used to!

Rear 34" Rancho 5000 shocks are mounted. Front mounts should be fabricated and shocks mounted tomorrow.

I bought a new driveline for the rear. I found that the 99-07c regular cabs had a 2" longer driveline than my 88, which is perfect for the lift. Today it will get new u-joints.

The only other thing left is to re-do the exhaust and top off fluids.

8-9-2008
Here are the pictures from a few nights ago.

Shift linkage

Re-routed transfer case harness

New 2-hi shift position

New rear driveline from a 2002 Reg. cab (needs paint)

Rear shocks and remounted breather

ORD Shackle flip

Front shocks

Everything is about done now!

8-10-2008
Well, it's 99% done. As of now I just have a few small things to do, such as cut and install the new air-dam, re-paint the rest of the frame black, build a spare tire mount, etc.

I drove it and it drives great. Brakes are much better over stock, nice and firm. The anti-sway bar works great, truck has very minimal body roll even cornering hard at 40. It rides just as good as stock too. All in all I'm very pleased with the way it handles.

Ok, now it's time for your favorite thing.... more pictures.

Washed up in the driveway

Initial testing, Flexing on some gravel

Second test, Flexing at the motocross track

With the new wheels and tires.

An interesting comparison next to my old roommate’s 95 K1500 6.5L

Overall, the project took 3 weeks and cost $4,200. I honestly can say it was one of the best choices I have made and do not regret spending any of the time, money or effort on this. I had a great time working with my Dad, and now have a truck that is not only ridiculously capable, but even more practical for my life. The truck is still daily driven, handles very well, and I still get about 16mpg on the highway. I take this truck through everything possible and it just takes it. If anyone has any questions, let me know.

 

[83GMCK2500]

Holy picture dump Batman...

 

[trouttrooper]

So what was the most challenging part to the front axle install. Since the frame was not designed for a SFA I would imagine mounting locations for some things could have difficult??

 

[88gmctruck]

Holy picture dump Batman...

You know you like it.

So what was the most challenging part to the front axle install. Since the frame was not designed for a SFA I would imagine mounting locations for some things could have difficult??

It was actually really easy. The front frame on my truck was the same width as the spring pads of the 70s chevys. As for the rear mounts, I used the front frame hanger from the rear of a 70s chevy, along with a shackle. When they are located on the inner portion of the wider frame of the truck, they also match the same spring pad width without modification. Aside from that, it's one of those measure measure measure type of deals. We measured side to side as well as from the rear axle to locate things square. That was the easy part. Also, where my axle is located allowed me to use a stock front driveline from 81-91 truck or suburban.

Honestly the most difficult part of the entire swap was cutting the IFS crap off the frame, and building the anti-swaybar and it's associated parts.

 

[88gmctruck]

Mike, I forgot to to say if you ever want to check the truck out let me know, I'm sure i could spend a good hour or more telling you about it. Or if you want to grab lunch or a beer or whatever let me know; I'm sure Devin and Brandon would also enjoy.

 

[trouttrooper]

Sounds like we need to get the oil can shipped our direction. I think I'd like the temperatures to warm up a tad before I went crawling around under your truck.

I've always liked the style of the '88. Especially the headlight setup

 

[88gmctruck]

Oh a figured it's be sometime when the temps were at least above 50..... The spring semester should be much less stressful for me than this one is.

 

[mpleat]

I have the same truck exact color lol I recently picked up a set of dana 44s from a 79 chevy im looking to do this sas just as u did yours... would you be able to give me the measurements of the front shackle you made for the front springs? Btw your forum is great its exactly what im looking for! I hope my truck turns out as good as yours!

 

[88gmctruck]

I'll try to get out there the next day or so and get some measurements. They aren't very far off the frame like 2.5" or so.

Sent from my TBI 454 powered android device.