86 gets solid.

[86-surf]

either make a drop front crossmember or buy one.
for the shackles cut the rear mounts for the rear spring shackle hangers off the doner chassis.

thanks matt.

[Chopper01]

dont fark arround and just do a sas , its quicker and at the end of the day its the best way for you do do it , as for what kaney said hes right the solid axel chassies have a higher arch but you wont us it as to get the max flex you will need to go coils and you dont want to go there

[DieselBoy]

I'm gonna be all negative and pesamistic here for a couple of minutes, and just be straight out with my opinion. No offence intended Jase or anyone else

We are talkin about a 1988 or earlier surf, running the dreaded 2LT, and a dude who is just starting out in the work force probably earning minimum wage, maybe even part time if he's studying/training.

Times are tough, gas is expensive, day to day living is expensive.

What i can see happening, is Jase getting stuck into the SAS. Need a couple of bits here, a few things there (brake lines, bushes, steering stuff), not major, but still the odd bit.

It all adds up.

If you stumble accross some part you need that you over looked, then theres a couple of weeks waiting while ya save up for it, while the trucks in bits.

Then comes warrant time. SAS = Cert. Cert = $$$$

Then say, he's spent $400 on a cret, plus a say $400 on other stuff (steering stuff, shocks, bushes, brake lines, hub parts, steel, grinding disc's), thats alot of coin when your on Min wage!!!!

Would the body swap be any cheaper?? You would still need steering stuff, suspensions stuff, parts for wide axle conversion etc etc

But wait, there's more...........

Its a Surf with a 2LT in it. So Jase spends all his $$$$ on doing SAS, borrows $$ from mum for the extra stuff so he can get it back on the road ASAP, then whadda ya know, cracked head time.

So he's now got a truck that owes him even more $$$, has a dead motor and he's got no $$$ left to fix it.

So why not just buy a couple of spare CV's, chuck em in the back just incase , soften up the rear leaves to they make up for the lack of flex in the front, throw a lock right into it and learn how to drive it with in its limits???

That motor will let you down sooner rather than later, and you gotta ask your self if it will be worth fixing when it does???

Maybe a Kool SAS'd and certed Surf will be worth fixing?? 2JZ baby

[J_Dub]

I'm gonna be all negative and pesamistic here for a couple of minutes, and just be straight out with my opinion. No offence intended Jase or anyone else

We are talkin about a 1988 or earlier surf, running the dreaded 2LT, and a dude who is just starting out in the work force probably earning minimum wage, maybe even part time if he's studying/training.

Times are tough, gas is expensive, day to day living is expensive.

What i can see happening, is Jase getting stuck into the SAS. Need a couple of bits here, a few things there (brake lines, bushes, steering stuff), not major, but still the odd bit.

It all adds up.

If you stumble accross some part you need that you over looked, then theres a couple of weeks waiting while ya save up for it, while the trucks in bits.

Then comes warrant time. SAS = Cert. Cert = $$$$

Then say, he's spent $400 on a cret, plus a say $400 on other stuff (steering stuff, shocks, bushes, brake lines, hub parts, steel, grinding disc's), thats alot of coin when your on Min wage!!!!

Would the body swap be any cheaper?? You would still need steering stuff, suspensions stuff, parts for wide axle conversion etc etc

But wait, there's more...........

Its a Surf with a 2LT in it. So Jase spends all his $$$$ on doing SAS, borrows $$ from mum for the extra stuff so he can get it back on the road ASAP, then whadda ya know, cracked head time.

So he's now got a truck that owes him even more $$$, has a dead motor and he's got no $$$ left to fix it.

So why not just buy a couple of spare CV's, chuck em in the back just incase , soften up the rear leaves to they make up for the lack of flex in the front, throw a lock right into it and learn how to drive it with in its limits???

That motor will let you down sooner rather than later, and you gotta ask your self if it will be worth fixing when it does???

Maybe a Kool SAS'd and certed Surf will be worth fixing?? 2JZ baby

Wise man, very true, will never be a straight forward process, bound to find extras that need replacing, fixing, renewing.

[J_Dub]

why not just continue using your truck as it is, keeping it at a saleable state, and look for a 60 series (solid axle), get a temporary loan to purchase it, then sell yours, shouldnt have to spend any more than what your current surf is worth, you then have no issues with not having a mobile truck, and dont get the headaches of doing the chassis swap or sas. just mine opinion. I was kinda in the same position as you, i had a later model surf, got it real cheap, it was mint, so i consided keeping it and doing all sorts a shit to it, but then realised i just be patient, buy a 60 and problem solved, it was a good choice, i realised it wasnt realistic to attempt to do mods to my old surf while having it im-mobile for as little time as possible.

Jared

[Steve_t647]

I'm gonna be all negative and pesamistic here for a couple of minutes, and just be straight out with my opinion. No offence intended Jase or anyone else

No offence taken by me, the link I posted had everything you need to do the SAS except maybe the crossover steering that Matt4u covered including a parts list and process to go through, from that Jase could gather the bits he hadn't thought of the big thing with keeping it on the road is if the cert guy spots something you have to sort out.

The difference in sales price doesn't cover the conversion 90% of the time but the fun you get out of it without the breakages it is up to Jase to put a price on that.

If I didn't have a DC Hilux ute (and love the tray) and was looking for a 4wd I would buy a 1KZ surf with a blown front diff then SAS it like Tim has done, but the DC Hilux layout suits me and it really owes me nothing over the time I have had it, so doing stuff to it will be just as expencive as changing to a newer more modern 4wd with an unknown history and all the small things that you don't notice that take time and money with a newer 4wd.

Jase (and others) have a huge amount of fun and learn a lot from projects like this there is no real price on what they learn, it will also be a project that teaches him a lot for later in life and the more 4wd mechanics we have out there offroad with practical experience the better! I believe learning and moving up in 4wd's and Jase (in this case) seems to have out grown the IFS.

I also think understanding the 4wd and what can go wrong is important, learning from books will teach you so much, skinned nuckles, grease, oil, hammered thumb's, broken tools, welding, grinding etc will teach so much more and the price of a SAS against the benefits I think the SAS is still a valid option.

Nothing wrong with giving everyone good advice tho, and if budget is an issur perhaps delaying it till you have some "spare cash" over the budget is a good choice you would hate to wait a payday or two to get on the road again.

[DieselBoy]

I'm gonna be all negative and pesamistic here for a couple of minutes, and just be straight out with my opinion. No offence intended Jase or anyone else

We are talkin about a 1988 or earlier surf, running the dreaded 2LT, and a dude who is just starting out in the work force probably earning minimum wage, maybe even part time if he's studying/training.

Times are tough, gas is expensive, day to day living is expensive.

What i can see happening, is Jase getting stuck into the SAS. Need a couple of bits here, a few things there (brake lines, bushes, steering stuff), not major, but still the odd bit.

It all adds up.

If you stumble accross some part you need that you over looked, then theres a couple of weeks waiting while ya save up for it, while the trucks in bits.

Then comes warrant time. SAS = Cert. Cert = $$$$

Then say, he's spent $400 on a cret, plus a say $400 on other stuff (steering stuff, shocks, bushes, brake lines, hub parts, steel, grinding disc's), thats alot of coin when your on Min wage!!!!

Would the body swap be any cheaper?? You would still need steering stuff, suspensions stuff, parts for wide axle conversion etc etc

But wait, there's more...........

Its a Surf with a 2LT in it. So Jase spends all his $$$$ on doing SAS, borrows $$ from mum for the extra stuff so he can get it back on the road ASAP, then whadda ya know, cracked head time.

So he's now got a truck that owes him even more $$$, has a dead motor and he's got no $$$ left to fix it.

So why not just buy a couple of spare CV's, chuck em in the back just incase , soften up the rear leaves to they make up for the lack of flex in the front, throw a lock right into it and learn how to drive it with in its limits???

That motor will let you down sooner rather than later, and you gotta ask your self if it will be worth fixing when it does???

Maybe a Kool SAS'd and certed Surf will be worth fixing?? 2JZ baby

why not just continue using your truck as it is, keeping it at a saleable state, and look for a 60 series (solid axle), get a temporary loan to purchase it, then sell yours, shouldnt have to spend any more than what your current surf is worth, you then have no issues with not having a mobile truck, and dont get the headaches of doing the chassis swap or sas. just mine opinion. I was kinda in the same position as you, i had a later model surf, got it real cheap, it was mint, so i consided keeping it and doing all sorts a shit to it, but then realised i just be patient, buy a 60 and problem solved, it was a good choice, i realised it wasnt realistic to attempt to do mods to my old surf while having it im-mobile for as little time as possible.

Jared

No offence taken by me, the link I posted had everything you need to do the SAS except maybe the crossover steering that Matt4u covered including a parts list and process to go through, from that Jase could gather the bits he hadn't thought of the big thing with keeping it on the road is if the cert guy spots something you have to sort out.

The difference in sales price doesn't cover the conversion 90% of the time but the fun you get out of it without the breakages it is up to Jase to put a price on that.

If I didn't have a DC Hilux ute (and love the tray) and was looking for a 4wd I would buy a 1KZ surf with a blown front diff then SAS it like Tim has done, but the DC Hilux layout suits me and it really owes me nothing over the time I have had it, so doing stuff to it will be just as expencive as changing to a newer more modern 4wd with an unknown history and all the small things that you don't notice that take time and money with a newer 4wd.

Jase (and others) have a huge amount of fun and learn a lot from projects like this there is no real price on what they learn, it will also be a project that teaches him a lot for later in life and the more 4wd mechanics we have out there offroad with practical experience the better! I believe learning and moving up in 4wd's and Jase (in this case) seems to have out grown the IFS.

I also think understanding the 4wd and what can go wrong is important, learning from books will teach you so much, skinned nuckles, grease, oil, hammered thumb's, broken tools, welding, grinding etc will teach so much more and the price of a SAS against the benefits I think the SAS is still a valid option.

Nothing wrong with giving everyone good advice tho, and if budget is an issur perhaps delaying it till you have some "spare cash" over the budget is a good choice you would hate to wait a payday or two to get on the road again.

And there you have it, three different schools of thought, both as constructive as each other

I guess the message is to think the whole process through very carefully before you decide what to do, whether you start cutting and grinding, sell the vehicle in favour somethin else, or just abuse it how it is

[86-surf]

Thanks guys.

It is going to be a long time before i start the sas any ways(thats if i end up doing it)
If i do go thru with the sas i will more then likely be asking you wiser peoples what is the easyest way to do things so on and so on....

if i get arround to doing it between this tuesday and a few weeks... i have a replacment vehicle:d.

cheers guys.

[MATT4U]

I have to agree with DB. Personaly untill ya get a better job I reckon ya should go back to 33's and throw a lockrite in the back. Learn to drive it then, having the extra traction of the lockrite will change your truck and if ya get some new or almost new 33's you'll have the extra traction from them to.