SFA on 2004 3500???

[Duramaxdiesel]

I'm hearing from a few people that GM will finally be putting a SFA on its 3500. Haven't heard anything about the 2500 HD though. Any of you care to chime in?

[DURA-MAX3]

I must be dumb, what is a sfa....

[hoot]

Stupid.... F.....n.....As....ole


Just kidding. Hope I didn't make you afraid to ask these questions. Don't be ;)

Straight Front Axle.

[c5dura]

And this is a good thing?

Say hello to a harsher ride, poor handling and increased front tire wear...

Perhaps this will be an option (3500HD)?

[DURA-MAX3]

that would be technology in reverse, i would rather have the current setup. Smoother ride...

[Duramaxdiesel]

I agree with you guys on the ride subject. The thing is I use my truck to plow and as a week-end off-roader. So far no problems but I'm worried about the long term. In 5 to 10 years from now I honestly don't think that the IFS is going to hold up.

I also think having a SFA should be an option. It would be interesting to see how well they sold.

[thechevyhdman]

I know from both sides of the fence(work and play) It should be an option. Granted the ride is terrible compared to IFS, But SFA's are so much easier to work on, to maintain, and so much simpiler(less parts to break) than an IFS. Everyone I know that were diehard Chevy fans now drive Fords No one really cares too much for the IFS system. Personally they are holding up quite fine in all our trucks. I think Chevy would win back such a huge part of the market they lost. I highly doubt that GM will go back to SFA's I mean the 4500 will take care of the needs of people(4x4). They should still make it an option, at least on 3500 Cab and Chassis. If they do come out with one though, Ill hold out till 2004 to get a new one instead of replacing our 98' in the early spring. One of these days when I lift my truck probably 10 years from now, I gonna go all the way and do the SFA swap offroadunlimited has to offer.

[Duramaxdiesel]

Yeah was thinking of doing that swap on my '94 K3500. That would be killer. Can just imagine how much that swap would be with the exchange. :(

[GMCTRUCK]

If they do make the 3500 4x4 with a straight axle they would get back a huge part of the market share they lost as I too know many GM guys that switched to Ford and Dodge for the straight axle and never looked back. I hate the IFS and will gladly trade for a 2004 if this is true. If its not true and Ford doesn't work out their 6.0 Powerstroke problems I will be getting the straight axle swap kit form Offroad Unlimited in a couple years.

[tbrowne]

The only thing I'd find more exciting would be if GM announced they were replacing the Allison with a Power Glide.

[TooMuchMuscle]

DuramaxDiesel / TheChevyHDMan / Others, I have helped friends install live axles (SFA's) in their Chevy's and in the end it is the best thing you can do. You do sacrafice ride quality, but you gain the ability to raise your truck any given amount. HD's with 40 or 44" boggers, it would look good. :D :D :D

One thing to watch out for is the price of the front axle. The new Chevy's use a drivers side pumpkin in the front meaning that you have to custom build a Dana 60 or find one out of a F#RD. All old Chevy's came with passenger side pumpkins. These old F#rd axles are in the F350 4x4 made from the early 1970's to late 1970's, sometimes even in some early 1980 4x4's. Look prior to doing the swap, for an axle, cause this will save a lot of time and grief. Email me if you want some advice with the procedure. I no longer have pictures of the trucks but remember the conversion process. Sorry about the long post.. :D

[Stage 1]

FYI,
I think I remember seeing 2002 model Cab and Chassis 3500s w/ SFA at dealer this fall. They also had 19.5" wheels, along w/rear sway bar.

[Bram]

Where is everyone hearing all this info? I would love to read somewhere that this is official, because it's very hard to believe? I would be very happy if it's true!

[thechevyhdman]

Yeah I remember reading myself that a Dana 60 front end from a 78' Ford is the perfect axle for swap. ORU offers the kit necc. brackets and etc for $700. I remember a while back in 4 Wheeler they had a 2001 Suburban they did for a grand total of $18,000, It looked super sweet. Im looking for an axle now before the trucks become even more obsolete. Get it all ready with a locker and throw her away in storage till I start torching out the IFS. It looks pretty challenging swaping it, But its the only good way to lift and IFS.

[GMCTRUCK]

The Powerglide would probably hold up better. ;)

[TooMuchMuscle]

HDMan, "Off R Unlimited" dont get me started. If you want to get it done just shoot me an email. reland@cagop.org.

[Bram]

BTT

[Black Dog]

Pretty sure this is nothing but an internet rumor.

[Duramaxdiesel]

I for one sure hope it's true. A guy on another board said he heard it from a dealer. Then again, most people here know more.

[tonkater]

Having both an 85 1/2 ton wit sfa, and an 88 2500 with IFS , and BOTH high mileage (double on iFS) I say the IFS wins hands down. The 88 ifs with 500,000 miles has only had the cv boots replaced.
NOTHING else ! While the 85 sfa had to have the wheel bearings greased every 25,000 miles and bearings every 50,000 to 100,000.
Right, perhaps 44 mudders won't work on IFS , but in reality how many of us need 44s,or even use them ? (especially here in Northeast.)
I did have some Chevy buds switch to Fords/Dodge for sfa, but I've also run into some Ford/Dodge/Toyota guys who switched to DMAX when promoting the Northeast Diesel gettogether and said they would NEVER go back.
(and Dodge wouldn't warrantee the sfa with cummins with snow plow on truck , during first years of production I'm told .)