Looks like these are lying around for pretty cheap and I can just swap my existing gears into the Sami diff.  They also look to be at least as strong as (or at least, no weaker than) the IFS front. 

Do the driveshafts, perch widths, and steering linkage work out relatively easily or are there problems with these.  I realize that I can mount spring hangers just about anywhere I please but am curious to know the details from anyone who has done this. 

I also realize that many probably swap in different/stronger diffs but I am happy with the strength of these diffs and like the fact that I don't have to buy gears, swap more than one end, etc. 

Thanks,

Aaron

it's not wide enough. thats' what I found when I looked into it.

it's not wide enough. thats' what I found when I looked into it.

that's what wheel spacers is for.


Aaron74
Ive put on Sami front axle on my old tracker, works just fine and I used 2 inch wheel spacers to "match" the rear end.  So, yes it can be done. 

Just curious how hard was that on your axle ends?
Also what bolt pattern is the tracker drop out versus the samurai drop out?

Thanks TrakJD!

It looks like the steering is pretty simple if you get a drop pitman and the rest of the goods from the sami. 

I knew about the spacers and I am not worried about the bearings or even the shafts until things start to break because I can't see myself running any bigger than 32" skinnys (probably 8.00r16's.) 

I am assuming that you use rear sami leafs (or jeep) with SPOA perches.  Did you use the stock width for the perches? My main concern is the rear shackle mounts working out on the Kick frame (assuming that the shackles are on the rear!) What did you use here? The last time I did a SAS the frame width worked out for the rear and I just used a crossmember on the front that let me put spring mounts at whatever width I needed.

Thanks again,

Aaron

Bashzuk:

the thirds are pretty much interchangeable - I think the bomb would be to put your kick gears into the Sami steel third although a lot of people apparently just swap the whole third. 

Hey guys... I know a guy that has a sami axle that is lengthened 5". He put the kick rear and this front under a sami... Now he is looking to sell that axle... I am tempted to pick it up and install into my 4dr I think though I will just do the steel housing instead... But you can lengthen the sami axles... not sure what custom shafts would cost.....

Just curious how hard was that on your axle ends?
Also what bolt pattern is the tracker drop out versus the samurai drop out?

1.  Wasnt hard.  I cut off the IFS, took out the 3rd member swapped in rear 3rd member from Sami, and had a friend install the gears for me.  Installed YJ springs on it.  Pretty simple SAS.  2.  like i said on the 1.  I used steel 3rd member from Sami Rear.  You can use the aluminum 3rd member from the front Kick/track.... it will bolt right up to the sami front housing..... But expect to break it sooner.  Steel 3rd member = Worry-free. 

Thanks TrakJD!

It looks like the steering is pretty simple if you get a drop pitman and the rest of the goods from the sami. 

I knew about the spacers and I am not worried about the bearings or even the shafts until things start to break because I can't see myself running any bigger than 32" skinnys (probably 8.00r16's.) 

I am assuming that you use rear sami leafs (or jeep) with SPOA perches.  Did you use the stock width for the perches? My main concern is the rear shackle mounts working out on the Kick frame (assuming that the shackles are on the rear!) What did you use here? The last time I did a SAS the frame width worked out for the rear and I just used a crossmember on the front that let me put spring mounts at whatever width I needed.

Thanks again,

Aaron

the yj springs are i believe 2.5 inch wide... sami is 2".....  I just threw the yj on it.  with the Sami perches.  I had no problems with it.  Rode and kicked ass until i sold it.  If i did it all over again, I wouldnt have done it differently than i did the first time.    I wouldnt really worry about the Rear shackle mounts.  Just get the yj springs, and weld them up to a bracket.  Its pretty simple man.

The lengthened axle would undoubtedly be better on bearings but I am thinking cheap and (relatively) easy. 

It looks like the mercedes arms (or at least one on the pass. side) is the cheap solution for the steering. 

I am thinking something like:
sami front - third from Kick - fabbed perches
2" spacers
driveshaft from kick
mercedes arm - drag link from
wrangler or rear sami springs
shackle mount, crossmember, and hangers fabbed (I do need to compare the relevant frame widths of a Sami and the Kick to see what I am getting into here)

The great thing about SAS is you can pretty much build in whatever lift you like and you only have to match it in the back (tho I can see problems with the top mount and the overall length of the lower connecting links.)

Questions?
Comments?
Dirty jokes?

One more thing, the u bolts to hold the YJ springs to the perches. You will need to modify it or get a new set to spread the bolts out a little bit due to the width of YJ springs.  That's pretty much it.
What I did was, I ordered a new set of u bolts along with mount kits from trailtough.  Brent seperated it from his kit and sold me pieces.  So, Im sure He will do the same for you if you decide this route.

As for mercede arms, I ve never played with it, but from what my friend said.  He said that you got to drill the arms to match the bolts.  That's all I know, if it is that simple.  Then you got a really simple project.

A second issue is what year Track/Kick you are pulling your front diff from.  an 89-95 has the standard 22 spline front diff.  But 96+ has the larger splines, you will need to get some heavy duty axles to use the larger spline.  Or put in a locker with 22 spline side gears.

Thanks, Drone.  I have a '93 so that's not an issue for me. 

Hey TrakJD,

You said you used YJ springs ... assuming stock, ~ how much lift did you get?

Thanks,

Aaron

Hey TrakJD,

You said you used YJ springs ... assuming stock, ~ how much lift did you get?

Thanks,

Aaron

enough for 33s   if you added body lift or trimmed the fenders, you could add 35s  but that's overkill for the stock sami axles.  33s  youre basically pushing its limits.