I was just thinking when I did my old coil Sammi, I used a rear sidekick diff and housing, and cut the outer ends off and used the outside housing sections from a sammi front to build my front housing, I can not remeber how long the long side of the axle is on the Sammi, but if you ran two longs you could build a housing and use exsisting Sammi axles if it was not too long and have a centered housing, The sidegears were interchangable between the front and the rear so the spline count matched the axles.

Mac

We looked into doing this too...
We determined that it would be too wide, wouldn't be offset comfortably enough, and not strong enough.  But feasible.

~Nate

I would go for it. I know that I'll get crap for saying this, but in my mind the only rig that should keep its IFS is a Hummer. I know there are alot of very capable Track/Kick, Vitaras, GVs, and XL7s, but all things bieng equal (tire size, gearing, ect.), a SAS Kick will out-wheel one with IFS. The IFS is too much of a on-road compromise, in my mind. I really like the newer 4 door Vitaras but I wouldn't buy one unless I had a SAS ready to go in it. Plus the extra width of a Dana 44 will give you more perceived axle articulation. Like I said I will get crap for saying this, but it's my opinion on IFS- I'd do the same thing to a Chevy as well.

I cant even tell you how much I disagree. SAS is better than IFS.... Thats a blanket statement like Blondes are dumb.  If My IFS sucked so bad I would have swapped it out already. It probabally would have been easier. Yea Ive done a lot of things to it to get it to where its at but its still IFS. I still havent seen a SAS kick do anything that I couldnt do, however I can do several things that they cant...or wont. I wheel the livin crap out of my rig at least once a week. I can count how many times I broke something in the last year on one hand! I drove to moab and back again two years in a row now. I wheeled hard, never broke, and rode in comfort. I cant think of why would I want to swap this out for a straight axle. I think of it more like some people like a manual trans, some like autos... Some like ARB, some like Manual... Some like IFS some like SAS. If my car was a trailer queen and never saw pavement, it would still be IFS.  

Why do you hold the Hummer IFS to such a high standard? Ive never seen a hummer do anything remotely impressive.

I like my Tracker because it's IFS.  Everybody but us Track/kicks are SAS.  I show up on the trails and people think (look at the little Tracker trying to be a big guy...  You know it's only a IFS on 32's.)

Then when we get done wheeling everyones around my rig checking it out and saying (Man, when I first saw you I thoght...  but now...  WOW).  

People I wheel with ( Jeeps ) are going to 37/38" tires in hopes of out doing me.

I like the uniqueness of the Trakick as a whole.  Getting rid of the IFS and your becoming more like everyone else (Samis, Jeeps, Toyotas...)

If I had the time I'd would be doing a center mounted diff (like Mikes got) with longer shafts and better CV angles.  I even have a old rear end cut up in pieces on my work bench right now trying out the idea.  But with the move and all.  I'm going with the Anvil for a year or two and then that will be a winter project.

i just got back from my frineds house.  he is building a few sammys and has bought a few trackers just for the rear axles and has given me most of the rest of the trackers.  and he said after he gets his axles done i can have the steel sammy carryers so it looks like its staying IFS.  but thanks to all of you who made comments about this,  I thought it was funny even though i didn't go SAS.  

stu

YES THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT POST.......LOTS OF INFO HERE......WE EVEN FOUND OUT HOW MUCH HEATHER & NATES SAS COST........SO IF SOMEONE COMES OUT WITH A KIT YOU WILL HAVE AN IDEA IF ITS A FEASABLE PRICE FOR THE WHOLE KIT, OR TO TRY IT YOUR SELF.......MATTY  

has calmini sia dmuch about theres?

NOT THAT IVE HEARD......EVEN RRO IS WORKING ON ONE. BUT NO NEWS AS OF YET  

I don't think that you can directly compare SAS to IFS.  It's like apples and oranges, both a different fruit, each have their pros and cons depending on lots of things.

What I would like to see is an IFS truck with 20+ inches of travel and 20+ inches of ground clearance at the frame as much as I'd like to see a SAS truck come in the top 100 of a BAHA 1000 race.

Both are pretty far fetched and cost a pretty penny.

Great discussion here though!

Nater

I just wanted to thank the folks that have participated in this discussion for having an honest dialogue without a bunch of BS thrown in... I've read many, many IFS vs. SAS threads and none have ever really been more than "that sux! this is cool! you stink! I rule!" Anyway, thanks again...  

-Eric

yea this was(and still is) a vary pleasant(sp) debate.  well except the end was getting kinda got nasty a little.  but it was over all a fun topic to respond to.

stu

and if i would have had a 4 door i would have put 2 cases in but i'm not long enought.  i am thinking about taking out my tranny and t case and putting a 2WD  tracker tranny in with a sammy case behide it.

stu

F.Y.I
The OTT Kicker 3 setup (dual t-cases) is as long as the stock Sammy engine, transfercase setup.

~Nate

F.Y.I
The OTT Kicker 3 setup (dual t-cases) is as long as the stock Sammy engine, transfercase setup.

~Nate

actually, mine is about 1/2" shorter

actually, mine is about 1/2" shorter

There ya go!  Even shorter.

I don't think ANYONE was saying you have to go SAS for a rocking trackick, But someone (Mike..) is a little sensitive about it.

The reason I went SAS is for the type of wheeling I do,
(NE rocks) I knew I was going to have to  rebuild the whole
axles drivetrain with heavier componants like Hagen did if I kept them. I am not in love with IFS for crawling, (I am sure someone wil make a great Comp rig and IFS that will actally place someday)  But I went with what I know.

To say that my tracker is like everything else becuase I went SAS is ignorent.
Show me a Jeep or whatever that is set up like it.
(I am not pissing in your weaties bub so Relax)


Trackicks are starting to come into thier own as a viable wheeling platform for the masses, there are more or will be more parts/lifts now than ever.

If I get time I will likly start making copies of my suspension
for sale, But I am also rebuilding a 200 yr old house, and trying to find time to wheel.

I could make it a bolt on (except for the things you have to cut off LOL) but it will be in the 1500.00 range then.
I could produce the basic weld on for 1000.00 with all the springs rod ends/johny joints. (no shocks.)

Is it for everyone? heck no nor do I advocate SAS for everyone.

On the drivetrain, you CAN fit 2 cases on a 2 door , you just have to relocate the tank up, and move the axle back 6"

On the drivetrain, you CAN fit 2 cases on a 2 door , you just have to relocate the tank up, and move the axle back 6"

i don't have to worry bout the tank,  last winter when we said we where going to remove as much "drag" as possible,  that tank just had to go.    and for the rear axle, i wouldn't mind moving it back a inch or so but 6 inchs is a long way.  

stu