Possible to do a SAS without much of a lift?

Definitely don't need 1 ton axles and big tires to wheel difficult trails. I found good deals on the parts when I was doing my SAS, so I went for it. The real reason is that it saved me money, LOL.

Nothing is really "needed" to have fun on the trails. People build their rigs as they want. Having said that, I argue that link suspensions with coilovers have many advantages over leaf springs. It's really a whole different level man, and I don't think that's subjective speculation. I've driven SASed rigs with both leafs and rigs and there's just no comparison between the two.

Again...is it really "needed"? Certainly no. Leaf springs have been used for a looooooooooooong time. They work, are cheap, etc.

Given the opportunity to build another rig again in the future, however; I could go with smaller axles and tires and be ok. But I would certainly not sacrifice the link suspension with coilovers. That would be the first item on my shopping cart.

 

As you said, personal preference. I like being leaf sprung in the front. It's simple and as you said, cheap. Yes the ride would be better with coilovers and links, but it does fine with leafs for my needs.