Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

That's exactly what I thought before the SAS. But then reality hit, and I quickly realized one can do way more with a SAS than with an IFS!

Some people argue that wheeling becomes too easy and perhaps even boring after a SAS. While it is true that many of the trails you used to find challenging with IFS will now feel easier with a SAS, there's always a more difficult line to take, or more difficult obstacles, etc.

With IFS, I could keep up - for the most - with guys who had solid axles and 37"s. But wheeling was always way too stressful. After the SAS, wheeling became just more fun...plus the wife enjoys it more too after the SAS lol

Not sure what this means. Are you linking the rear end?

 

Mira kinda tuff to say at this point given it’s not done and there will most likely be added labor for extra parts I’m having him do.

$3,200 for the front 3 link kit and labor.

$1,500 for the front coilovers. Fox DSC Remote 14”

Once it’s done I’ll break everything out down to the dollar of cost for the build including labor and parts.

 

Totally makes sense. My point is I’ll never take my truck in situations where I’m gonna risk body damage etc. I’m more doing it because I want to and can lol

 

I would venture to say approximately $7-9k for 3 link, labor, and built front axle (depending on what parts you decided to go with for the front axle).

 

Lol

 

Total cost out of pocket will be around $15k for all parts, labor, axles, wheels, tires etc.

axles we’re a good expense because I’m not using my rear factory. I’m doing matching Rubicon 44s. Both trussed, front sleeved and c gussets.

 

Sounds about right. My guesstimate didn't include wheels, rear axle and parts, and tires.

 

Funny how fast it all adds up. Once it’s done, it will get sliders, front bumper, new exhaust and probably find more shit . It will surely be a $30k rig when I’m done.

 

The shop is only charging you 3200 for the front kit/material and labor?! How long have they had it/expecting it to take? That seems cheap to me with how much work is involved. And what “kit” are they using?

 

its all custom made. He has done multiple first gen tacomas and just finished one prior to taking mine on.

 

He give you a time line? Not bashing I’m genuinely curious as I’ve been asked to do a few but that’s way to cheap for the time it would take me lol.

seems like a screaming deal to me with materials costs as well

 

from start to finish it was supposed to be a few weeks but he has a couple newer 4runners he was finishing prior. Last week he had my truck in stands measuring everything out. This week he got the rear all racked up and ready to install. Once that’s completed he will chop the front and begin fab work. I’d imagine another few weeks etc.

it’s certainly not a bad price. I know just the 4wheelunderground kit cost quite a bit more let alone the labor of cutting the front IFS off and the fab labor.

Btw this is a fab business that pretty much only does sas and linking rigs.

 

Yeah, that’s cheap. I wouldn’t even do my steering gear setup for someone for 3200.

 

Wow thats for the rear too. I understand a fab business maybe a little cheaper but I was expecting 8-14k range. Even at 80 hours of work on it at 75 dollars an hour (which I feel is low figuring most mechanic/fab work is 100 an hour) is still 6k in labor. I’d imagine it’s closer to 120-160 hours of labor.


Honestly surprised by it and not sure how he’s making money lol

 

100 an hour is still low. Most reputable shop charges 150+ an hour + materials.

@J88logue what shop is this that you're referring?

 

That’s what I figured. When the few guys asked me I told them I would do it hourly and charge at the end of the week and was looking to charge 100-125 hour plus materials with 30% of the initial materials up front.

 

I assume that doesn't include the axle? That's damn near what it cost me to do my leaf spring SAS myself and my goal was to do it as cheap as humanly possible, and this was pre the massive inflation we are seeing now.

Post pics when its done!!

 

Here's a further breakdown of my costs right now - damn you for making me to do this prior to its completion haha. It's a single person shop done out of his residence. But it's a licensed business and he does this full time. Below is the breakdown of expenses that i have thus far. There will be some additional labor as i've added some things to be welded. Builder brought an enclosed trailer to my house, picked up my truck with all my parts on the bed, axles, tires, wheels, and a check for half down ($3,500).


Shop
$ 250 Brake Lines
$ 600 Driveshafts/Driveline modifications for jeep flange
$ 3,200 3 Link front Labor and Materials
$ 1,200 Rear Spring Kit & full Install
$ 1,200 Oil Pan/Steering Box Kit (New)
$ 600 Labor for oil and steering
Additional labor for gussets/sleeves/trusses/hydro assist
Shop Total $ 7,050

Customer Provided
$ 3,900 Axles 2013 Rubi 44k miles
$ 625 Yukon 5:13 full kit Gears
$ 400 Rear Springs TG 5"
$ 1,300 Tires 37" Mickeys
$ 1,700 Wheels DL Beadlocks
$ 330 Frame Plates
$ 200 Axle Gussets/Sleeves
$ 1,592 Coilovers Fox 2.5 14" DSC Remote
$ 324 Rear Fox Shocks 2.0 14"
$ 300 Hydro assist kit (trail gear)
$ (900) Sale Tacoma Axle
$ (1,500) Sale Tires/Wheels
Sale stock suspension
Provided Total $ 8,271

Cost to do full SAS Approx $ 15,321

 

Good deal on your end if the work comes out good but that guy needs to rethink his business practice lol. He’s loosing so much money. I have close to what youR total in just material and parts in mine lol

 

I have no doubt the work will come out top notch. The only question is will the build be what i want in regards to performance etc. I told him what i want, the parts i will be using and he's making it happen. He typically builds rock crawlers where everything is on one tons, 40+ tires and low COG. Mine is very different than that.

In regards to his labor costs, he's somewhat close to what larger more stablished businesses/shops quoted me as well. Given all my quotes were from last summer/fall. XO Fab in WA which is a large shop with multiple workers, manager, owner and a high overhead quoted me $6k, which included all front end link material, front install labor and rear install labor. More than my current builder, but considering how much overhead they have, it makes sense. Someone's gotta pay for the owners wife's Mercedes payment