Pre-build open-discussion (99 2door offroader)

[warrior]

Hello TYF people!

Here's the deal... I just started this project and this thread is basically me thinking out loud. I would like your suggestions and feedback about a bunch of stuff (in blue) that I think is probably too much for one thread.. scratch that.. this IS too much for one thread but here goes... Thanks guys in advance!

I'm looking for advice based on experience so please jump in

Vehicle: 99 Yukon 2-door
Objective: A hardcore offroader w/ some street driving

The plan...

Tires: Military 38.5" Michelin XMLs

Suspension: 6" lift + 3" body lift

2 points here... 1. What would you guys say is the toughest lift that can take serious abuse (not too pricey)?
2. I would rather not use the body lift at all or the minimum needed to fit those 38.5's... I'm willing to trim the body as much as it takes. I got a plan to make it look good later I'll post don't worry Reason is that I don't want my CG too high. Anybody with experience with this type of thing on a Yukon/Tahoe?​

Axles:
Rear (w/ Detroit Locker)... a swap from the 8.5" 10 bolt 6-lug axle to 10.5" 14 bolt 8-lug full floater axle
Front (w/ LSD)... a swap from the 8.25" IFS to either a 9.25" IFS or converting to a straight axle if not too difficult... What do you guys think?

Complication... problem is that I've noticed that the lifts I've looked into state that they specifically fit a 6-lug vehicle... Why does that matter? What exactly won't fit if I upgrade to 8-lug axles? Need to know so I can work around it.​

Gearing: 4.88's vs 5.13's.. what do you think?

Front bumper: anyone know of a Baja style front bumper to fit a 99?

Other details you might wanna know or might not...
-Baja style lights setup up top
-Cargo area.. I have a design to compartmentalize it, water tank w/ outside faucet and tools and all.. will post later
-Rock Sliders and armor to be fabricated afterwards

BTW I am new to this forum but not to cars and yes I have searched and researched everything before posting. I'm posting this stuff here cause this is where like minded people who share interests and experience share their knowledge and I humbly ask for yours

If you got questions shoot! If you got corrections please offer em. If you got suggestion let's have em

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

if your doing the SAS don't waste the money on a normal IFS lift kit. for the rear pick up lift leaf springs for whatever heigth you want, same with the front if your using leafs. ditch the 6 lug if your going to mainly using it offroad. pick up a 14 bolt FF rear and the front axle out of an older (pre 91 IIRC) ford F350. it will have the diff on the correct side and same 8 lug patter as the GM rear. check the link below for SAS kit info and options. they are who i plan to use if i ever get the chance to swap mine.

http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orustore/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=3

i would go ahead and throw 5.13's under it

 

[TahoeTaz]

I'm not the biggest expert on this, but if you're prime purpose of the truck is to do serious off-roading, you'll do better with the SAS than a ifs lift kit. And with tires that size, it will probably be able to handle a good deal more wear and tear going down the road, too. Welcome to the board, good luck on your build, and keep us posted

 

[warrior]

Thanks 96ProCompTahoe for the link... yeah I'm leaning that way. Ironically the SAS might come in at just about the same $$ or maybe even less than a straight up lift for IFS. Even the amount of work is probably not much more considering I'm swapping both axles anyway. Maybe I just needed a small nudge and damn you for supplying it! I think I'll do the 5.13 as well

BTW... I got a 3Gen Camaro too Mine's a blue 91 Z28

---------- Post added at 03:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:26 AM ----------

Thanks TT for the welcome..

I'm looking into doing the SAS. Researching it as we speak. Will definitely keep you in the know.. a build tread maybe

Thanks for chipping in

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

still kickin myself in the ass for wasting all this time and money on the IFS lift and the 1/2 ton axles.

don't make my mistake and go SAS from the beginning. if you search SAS on here it should bring up a couple threads with a little more information.

 

[Bad bow tie]

I would go with the SAS as well right from the beginning.. as in the first thing i do. A 14 full float is a good idea with the extra strength. 5.13s are good gears to put under it. Ranch Hand makes heavy ass duty front and rear bumpers for this year. Shit this build sounds fun as hell but be prepared to throw some serious cash at it. And post pics as you go along!

 

[warrior]

96ProCompTahoe... what is your lift and tire combo? n how hard do you offroad your truck? What kind do you do?

>>trying to gauge IFS lifts?

---------- Post added at 01:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 AM ----------

Bad Bow Tie...

Thanks for the bumper suggestion but I'm looking for a tube baja prerunner style something more like this...

http://www.jbaheaders.com/assets/images/vehicles/camburg_1405.jpg

As for the pics they will be coming

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

right now its sitting on a 6" procomp lift with 35" procomp Xtreme M/T's. 4.88's with e-locker in rear (10 bolt) haven't done much with it really, went from making really good money to not very good money, so no funds to fix all the shit that WILL break on the front end. that and its currently the Daily driver. The lift is well built, but the IFS just isn't built enough for me to risk taking it out on any decent trail. fields/mud/stuff of that sort it is fine for.

but i stand by it all being a waste for anyone who is really going to beat on their truck to buy anything for the stock IFS set-up.

SAS, 5 speed, manual T-case, 8 lug axles, the only way to go IMO if you want to do it right.