This might sound stupid, or even crazy, but since my rear axle is now out of a 97, i was thinking, even my friend and his dad were thinking that I should get the whole frontend from a 97 or so and see if it would bolt up and make the front end wider. This might be costly and not really worth the effort, but would it be possible? I was thinking that the only thing necessary to change might be the upper and lower control arms, and the spindes (maybe, or just swap to newer balljoints). And throw in a set of newer CV axles up front. That might require the use of a newer axle upfront though, since the newer rodeos had equal length cvs. I suppose it would also need newer centerlinks, and tierods. The latter are things I didnt think of. But it might be possible to keep the old recirculating ball setup and get the extra travel that the rack and pinion guys cant. Im probably starting to sound like a mad man with this idea. Many would say just go to a solid axle. But I think it might be cool to get the wider stance of a newer rodeo on an older rodeo and keep the IFS, then get a longer travel suspension than what was possible with the newer ones. This is not something that is in my near future, atleast not that I know of. But might be something to kick around for a while and see what the braintrust can come up with. I would really love to put a solid axle under my rodeo, but is not quite possible and feasible, atleast not for a few years after I get a good paying job after college and have another vehicle to putt around in. If things are as relatively simple as I think they would be, this might, could be a weekend swap. Im not much of one for ditching something that works fairly well, like our IFS, especially since its fairly strong. I like to modify or think of ways to modify things to work even better. I know that we are limited by the length of our control arms, then the balljoints, then probably tierods and then the cvs. Im just shooting around ideas. I have tons of them now. I should probably start putting on paper and seeing what I can do with them. Anybody is welcome to post their oppinions and ideas. Even shoot my ideas down. Im more or less thinking out loud, and decided the talk section might be a better place instead of the tech section. Since we are talking about ideas and not actual tech, yet. Like I said feel free to post ideas, suggestions, hints or even point out its a worthless, dumb idea. Sorry this is so long. Just have lots of ideas in my head at the moment
Dan

I was thinkin' about somethin' like that with my Rodeo so that I could get more lift out of the front till the SAS. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I pm'd Rubo because he had dealt with both setups just recently with his Rodeo/Amigo project. And the biggest thing I ran into was the cv's being the same length rather than the two different sizes. Although you mentioned the axle too and that might solve that problem. The other thing we came up with is the upper control arm. The pin or whatever that holds the upper a-arm in place will be different so that would have to be made. But hey, any other ideas would be greatly appreciated by all. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Just addin' to the mix. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I was doing some research, particularly on the CVs, well there are 3 part numbers for the 97, one equal length, and the other 2 were different lengths. Now I would imagine that they should bolt into the earlier axles without much trouble. Even if you had to custom build some upper control arms, which I have a design waiting to be built for the older frontend, it might not be too bad. But even a little fabrication to the stock newer arms wouldnt be hard, or even just using bolts instead of that pin. I was thinking about sending Rubo a message, but I havent seen him on here in quite some time. Im glad to see someone else has been thinking about this. I still think it would be cool to see a wide track early 1st gen rodeo, one that doesnt use shallow back spacing on the wheels or spacers. I would be all over this if I had the time, money and another vehicle to drive while doing the conversion. I was checking the prices for used suspension pieces and they were rather cheap, can get control arms for like $30 a pop. I would like to see this explode into a really good ideas thread. WHo knows, maybe someone will try it one day.

Dan

I asked rubo about it before and he said its not impossible, but the complicatedness makes it not worth it. This was his original plan, to swap on the front 96 rodeo suspension to the 90 amigo. After finding out nothing would work without extensive fabrication, he decided to just cut the frame and body swap. If you are already making control arms, maybe you can pull it off. But its still a bucket of worms if you ask me. Just keep saving up for that SAS.

Your probaby right, but as I said before, I tend to look to make things better and what I didnt say was that I like to do some things the harder way. My ideas will probably never happen, but I just like to throw ideas out in the mix.

Dan

Here is some information that I have saved on my computer. Originally posted I think by Chad Hunter before he went SAS.



HTH

-chris

Hey Chris, you're back from a hiatus huh? And ya finally got some 35s? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Not really, been busy with school. Keeping an eye on the forum, but haven't had much to add.

-chris

Sorry guys, but unless you gonna make custome UCA's there is no way in bolting the UCA from a '96 to earlyer truck (unless you have acces to milling machine & are pretty good with it to make some custome "mounting pins").

You are welcome to try. I just have to worn you against it.

I've thought about it. I could have access to all the machinery needed, but my teacher hasnt let me touch anything yet. The control arms i can do. But right now its a matter of money and needing a daily driver.

Dan