Front End Totaled, Rebuild or Budget SAS. Options?

I totaled my truck. Still waiting for insurance to appraise it, but I’ve done too much to it to not buy it back from them. The powertrain is still good, but obviously a lot on the front isn’t. I think the fox rr coilovers are still good, haven’t been able to inspect (still healing, broken vertebrae, bad concussion).

I’m trying to stay positive and make the most of it. I weld and do 100% of my own work (diffs included) and am torn between replacing the broken stuff, parting it out (ouch) and SASing it. The front of the frame is for sure bent though. How much deeper in the hole would a SAS put me? What axles and what street legal steering setups do people use? I’m guessing a rack and pinion won’t work and a Dana 60 is too heavy. I have 33’s currently, won’t ever go bigger than 35’s. Are there any GM Dana 44’s to look for?

edit: Are JK Dana 44 axles really 65”? Because that sounds like a perfect swap.

 

If you go SAS and for simplicity the 06 and newer super duty with the wfo radius arm kit. If you don't move the axle further than 2" inches forward you could skate by with your current fox's to get drivable and then new towers and coilover for another project.

 

Damn, that sucks. Glad your okay. How did the accident happen?

 

I parked above a cliff and started to get out when the truck started rolling. We both went flying. Not my best day.

 

Glad you are ok and safe!

I think the SAS you'll get you deeper in the whole. It makes sense that you are considering it since you may have to chop off the front end of the truck anyway. But it's a really big project...so many parts to buy/fabricate: steering linkage, steering pump, steering box, all the steering plumbing, axle, gears, locker, tires, brake lines, suspension, etc.

Most people do hydraulic assisted steering ("hydro assist"), but I've seen more and more guys going with full hydraulic steering. Apparently full hydraulic is not street legal in some States. Regardless, it is something I would personally not feel comfortable having on a daily driver. I have hydro assist with 40"s and it is plenty.

Not sure about their width, but if you can find a good set of Rubicon JK dana 44s for a decent price, go for it! Those are good axles for a conservative project and have lockers in them already. I've seen a handful of SAS Tacomas with those axles.