I've just about got the frame rails cleared off on our 91 Amigo. I've done a few hours of research on here and am sorry to say, the bulk of the pictures in the posts are gone. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

So in no order what-so-ever here are questions and such.

Those of you who are running coil spring SAS rigs, how wide are the coils? Outter dimension of the entire coil, not the width of the spring material.

Info/considerations:
Our rig is going to be used on road, I'm trying to keep the height down to something 'reasonable' where we don't need a ladder to board. I've ruled out leaf spring under axle. I want the clearance under there. I'm going to use a D44, I have one from a WT Cherokee but don't want that much width so will be cutting it down. We'll be running 35s and maybe 37, if I'm lucky and everything happens to tuck/fit. I'd like to keep the front track width down to maintain the lines of the vehicle. We love the fender flares and I'll probably have to reflare/weld/add to them but don't want tires sticking out. We also plan on towing a 3500lb trailer (v6 swap in progress as well). I've come to the conclusion that keeping it as narrow as possible while maintaining a good turning radius is going to probably require a sway bar for on road while towing.

Now then, who's got input here? I can go leaf springs (I have them from the Cherokee) and go SOA. If I do I'll embed the rear spring eye into the frame rail to tuck it up and lose some of the lift. I don't particularly like the idea of having leaf springs hanging down to hit rocks, but... I'll be moving the axle forward at LEAST 3". I'll stick the axle with 35s under there and see how things fit before having it cut down and positioning.

I'd prefer to have something like Houlster did simply because it puts the springs further outboard and I figure that should add sway stability. Houlster, dude, how much room do you have between the springs and tire when you flex that rig??? Also, how do you pronounce your name?

OK boys and girls, let the ideas fly, comments and disections of the above observations and opinions are welcome. I'm open to input and not shy of doing a swing arm, or link suspension if that's works best for my application.

First off I will be totally honest.... There is not really enough room under a first gen amigo to do what you want.

Alright now that thats out of the way, you can do it, but prepare for compromises.

Pick an axle, you say 44, are you sure. Dan used the 80 series axle for a very good reason, and I would encourage you to look into using the same axle. If you insist on a 44, then you REALLY want a HP unit, which means custom.
You can use a LP axle if you want, but you will have to compromise to do so.

Axle mounting methods. I would lean towards a 4 link with a panhard bar. This will give you the best of both worlds, which is what you want. Any trade off in flex will be worth the added road maners. use a coil-over 12" stroke.

For a leaf sprung rig I would take a hard look at Fernando's. It is really the best all around working first gen amigo that I have seen using leaf springs. I think his set-up really strikes the balance that you say you are looking for.
One word on leaf springs, I have always liked the stock isuzu springs. I have been running them on my rig front and back since the beginning, and don't really think there is any advantage to using something else.

Gotta go for now, let me know if my early morning giberish makes any sense.

I know very little about SAS, but I can concur that Fernando's rig works very well...

I wish I had known that I got gotten replies. I just assumed (yeah, I know) that I would be subscribed to my own thread.

I looked up Fernando and he has 3 posts. If there is a link to his build somewhere, I'd love to take a look.

I know it's going to be all about compromises, that's always a given.

I happened to have a D44 low pinion laying around that I can use. I know the basic pumpkin is the cheap part. I may wind up going with the 80 series axle that Dan used. It's really a bit wider than I'd like, I'm trying to keep the tires 'tucked' as much as possible.

I stuck the D44 under the rig tonight. The Amigo isn't level but from guestimates I'd say that with the axle at full compression (pumpkin hits the AC compressor before the tube hits the oil pan) I'd be at level ride height. This is with a rear SOA conversion (minimized like Dan's).

I'm thinking I'm going to be raising the engine a bit, assuming there is room to 'clearance' the firewall over the engine, which I'm not sure of considering the A/C - Heater ducting is right there. And even then I'd be super lucky to get 2" out of it. So it looks like I'll be raising the beast even further than it is now.

I debated following Dan's lead and doing a body lift but if I do that and tuck everything up, the only difference I can think of is the frame doesn't get raised, and that wouldn't make much difference in the center of gravity compared to doing a suspension lift. Thoughts???

I'll wade through this but considering I'm doing an engine swap, SAS, and rear SOA all at the same time it's starting to feel like I bit off... Almost more than I can chew. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Can you guys add some SAS pictures so I know whats going on too?

Fernando's build had to be a lot of years ago...and I don't recall if it was chronicled here or not. Search way back if you can...

I checked back 7 years which is as far as the search will allow... Still only 3 posts.

At the moment I'm seriously considering a triangulated (upper) 4 link. That way when the time comes to take it to the alignment shop, they should be able to dial it in properly. Assuming I'm 'close' with the initial build. I'm still looking, debating, and weighing options. Really the extra 'length' by using leaf springs isn't a big deal since a winch would add that much to the front of the vehicle anyway, or nearly so. Which brings us back down to stability (springs further outboard with a 4 link) and a little more ground clearance at the front because of the shackles. Decisions decisions...

Not documented. It was a secret until he showed up in Moab. It was done by a shop, so no blow by blow anyway.

edit > BTW - Fernando's SAS was done Winter '02 - Spring '03

OK, thanks Steve.

Well you could still try to PM him, he might have some insight.

the beauty of fernando's build is how simple it is.

waggy front axle, spring under with yj or waggy lift springs. Shackle at rear of spring. Simple cross over steering. Spring over rear.
Kept 2.6-mua combo with terra t-case converted to fixed output.
Its not super flexy, and doesn't have tons of travel. It strikes a good compromise between ultimate trail worthyness and streetability.

Also, "JR" who did Fernando's build also did Adem's rodeo build. Very similar builds and both work great. BTW, Adem has been trying to sell his on and off for a while.
Unfortunatly JR closed down his shop, but I think hw still does some small builds out of his house.