SAS choices

[Nissanclay]

Hey everyone,

I want to get some input on SAS choices. Basically, I'm trying to figure out wether or not to do coils or leaf. Anyone have any input? I'm considering leaf for price reasons. I just really don't know if the Calmini coil kit will be able to happen any time soon. By not anytime soon I mean like 1 1/2 - 2 years. A leaf spring system will be considerably cheaper from what I have seen. Thinking either the Calmini leaf kit or something from All-phase like Ben has on his truck. Once again price limiting my choices. If someone can convince me that coils are the only way to go and that I'll regret leaf then I will wait as long as it takes. Also, for now my Frontier is my daily driver. I plan on getting a cheap DD come fall.

Well lets hear it, help me out guys.

[CurleyMan]

I don't think a leaf spung truck is cheaper infact i think they all cost the same. there are advantages and disadvantages. leafs often do not need sway bars and are easier to set up. I'm maxing out 12 inchshocks and need 14ers so flex isn't an issue. Leafs do feel different and that is something i cannot explain it's an oldschool feel. This means a rougher ride on the road and more frame twisting off road. My jeep, equipped with coils rides alot different on the road and while flexing off road. Personally i like to do what isn't popular i've always been that way.. Do what you want do your research and i'm sure you'll make the right choice....

[Ditchfinder]

I would have to agree with Ben there both setups are just as costly as I am finding out.:D In the end you will want the truck to do what you want. If your going to do it put the money in and do it once. I think thats about what I decided after talking to a few of these guys.

[Nissanclay]

Well as I'm looking on Calmini's website, all the parts (crossmembers, skids, shakles, hangers) some to about 1000. The coil kit is 1700. So 700 savings there. Then the springs/shocks for the coil kit run about 600. If its possible to use a set of leafs form another vehicle then I can get them for free as well as any other parts that I would need of another vehicle. So all I'll need is shocks, so I figure 250 in schocks. Ok so there is another 350 savings. Building the axle will cost the same either way, lifting the rear will be the same and the drive shaft will be the same. But so far I have a 1000+ difference in price. Very favorable. Like I said I have been doing a lot of math on this. If I am still missing something let me know. I have a buddy that is willing to give me a 1000 for my lift and SLR steering so that will be a big help also.

Rougher ride is not a concern my IFS is already a ruff ass ride. I have never wheeled a coil vehicle so I would not know the handling differences. I know that either will out perform my IFS.

[Ryan Gee]

Good leaf springs are $600 (like Ben's) However alot of folks have used factory waggy springs with good luck.

The cross members from the HB kit will not work on your rig. They are just different enough.

[Nissanclay]

Good leaf springs are $600 (like Ben's) However alot of folks have used factory waggy springs with good luck.

The cross members from the HB kit will not work on your rig. They are just different enough.

I figured I might be able to use the waggy springs. When they pull the axle, they are unbolting the leafs and the pitman arm and giving me everything attached to the axle.

[CurleyMan]

This has been done and is possible but one thing you must remember is those springs will be atleast twenty years old. They will flex and twist very well right from the start. I'm not sure if they can take the abuse though... The extreame off road driving may crack and break the old waggy springs. There is no way to save money doing the sas it's expensive and new alcan springs are worth the 600 bucks....

[8th Man]

I agree. If you're going to the trouble of doing a SAS, don't start the project off by falling into the "do it cheap" mode. Do it right the first time and you'll never have to upgrade again. Get a budget together and buy the right parts for the job.

With that said, if you decide to go leaf spring, get yourself a new pack.

[Bill Potter]

I would like to point out that Alcan springs now cost much more then $600.

When I called They wanted $190 each for the fronts and and $250 each for the back. Then another 90 each for the orbit eyes.

Also don't forget the drive shafts.

[lmr81]

I purchased the stock waggy 44044 lift springs. They ran about $300 for the pair. I did a simple sprung under setup, using the Calmini hanger and bell shackle kit and it came to $2500 give or take for the swap. Like it has been said, it all boils down to what type of wheeling you do whether its moderate trail riding or hardcore rock crawling and most importantly how deep your pockets are :).

[Packman5280]

clay, you got money, don't lie. you DD your truck, i would think you will be happier with coils. spend the money, get a nice coil kit, and be done with it.

[8th Man]

No doubt about it.

Wanna play - gotta pay

Build a heap - get cheap

I don't meant to imply that you can't buy high quality used parts, however, considering most of us wheel street legal vehicles and occasionally take family and friends along with us, it makes sense (to me) to try and ensure everyone makes it home safely. I'm not sure I could do that with "beater" parts.

[Ryan Gee]

I would like to point out that Alcan springs now cost much more then $600.

When I called They wanted $190 each for the fronts and and $250 each for the back. Then another 90 each for the orbit eyes.

Also don't forget the drive shafts.

He is just getting the front packs. So 190+90x2+shipping= adds up fast!

And in your case (and my HB's case) it ends up being a 1500 dollar deal after a nice set of perches and plates and new front crossmember to support the orbit eyes, etc...

Speaking of! Where are the picks of your rig! Ya need to show off all your good work!



I have to admit Clay, those Calmini coil setups drive nice!

[Nissanclay]

Damn, see thats why I posted this up.

Pics of my truck can be found here => Clicky (homepage.mac.com/nissanclay)

Packman, I'm going to New Zealand for two weeks and thats about the same price as a SAS. I will make sure I take all kinds of pictures of the deisel Nissan's over there.

[Bill Potter]

I don't have time to figure out how to post pictures now. If you want, I can E-mail them to someone that can easly host them.

[tmorgan4]

Send them to me if you'd like. tmorgan4@frii.com

[tmorgan4]

Sorry, forgot to rotate the first one. Good work!
http://www.pradolifts.com/broncb2b/images/image_00041.jpg

http://www.pradolifts.com/broncb2b/thumbnails/image_00042.jpg

http://www.pradolifts.com/broncb2b/thumbnails/image_00043.jpg

http://www.pradolifts.com/broncb2b/thumbnails/image_00044.jpg

http://www.pradolifts.com/broncb2b/thumbnails/image_00045.jpg

http://www.pradolifts.com/broncb2b/thumbnails/image_00046.jpg

Or here's a "gallery" with all of them. http://www.pradolifts.com/broncb2b/

EDIT: The last ones didn't upload right for some reason. They work fine if you just look at the gallery. I'll fix it this afternoon.

[Ryan Gee]

Looks awesome!!!!

Looks like the OEM waggy leafs work well!

[NissanNut]

Looks great Broncb2b!

I use the stock waggy leafs up front. I did add some thicker leafs. I plan to go back to a stock waggy pack soon though. I already have the springs.

I agree SOA leaf is not cheap. My coil setup may be cheaper. Leafs are expensive compared to coil springs. High steer is required for SOA. But optional with everthing else. SOA with shackles in the back require a long spline driveshaft. But a stock truck shaft may be work I found out.

[Packman5280]

i started my SAS on a $1500 budget. i think i am closer to about $2500 now.

[Allen Cox]

It can be done cheaper. But if you don't want a truck that looks like mine, then go with good parts. I'll be using a variety of different parts, making a good portion of the stuff myself (with the help of friends from all over) and whatnot. I personally would like to see you on a good setup that you can be proud of, and love to drive too. So for you, and your DD, go with a good setup. If you go leaves, go with new ones. You don't have to go Orbit Eye right off the bat, or with a super-duper stuff right away. That's why they're called 'upgrades'. Later on, you'll know what you want, and what you don't want.

Some folks actually don't like Orbit Eyes on their DD. Even with a sway bar, they move! But for others, they rock. Go with basic setup to get going, with good parts. Then decide what you're comfortable with and upgrade from there.

If you get the basic springs, and then decide in while that you want the expensive ones, sell the ones you have! It's not like you're throwing money away.

[Bill Potter]

Looks awesome!!!!

Looks like the OEM waggy leafs work well!

Well...the fronts are allpro long travel 4 inch toyota lift ($199) and the backs are 6 inch BJ's FSJ lifts ($290). I think I could have gone with the four inchers in the rear as it sits about 2-3 inches higher then the front.

But....I like the hotrod look much more then the tail dragging look most lifted trucks end up with.

Incendently...it worked and flexed very well on the one trail I did in Moab before the rear axle seals started leaking. Seems that the stock drum brake LSD has some kind of spacer pressing out on the axles that the used ARB doesnt have. Now my axles have a 1/4 inch of play...sucks that I towed it all the way out their before figuring that out!