I acquired all of the goods needed to convert my 97 F250 from IFS to SAS. The source vehicle is a 97 F350. The issue is that the F350 has a Rough Country 4" lift kit installed and I'm not really sold on the idea of having a lift kit. I tow regularly, sometimes scaling at 20-22k but usually much less. The truck is completely stock and tows great, even with the 3:55 gears.

With the SAS will I gain any height or is just level out, I'm wondering if the SAS and lift will be 4 inches or closer to 6? I think the rear lift is just has 3" blocks with replacement springs in the front.

Option 1: Install what I have and probably go to 285/75-16 tires since they are slightly taller but 2" wider than stock (I have 9x16 wheels). Probably still look bad if total lift is 5-6".

Option 2: Source all the parts to make it a stock F350. Pitman arm, springs, what else? Can I use the F250 u-bolts with the F350 springs?

What are your experiences? Have other options?

Thanks,
Bob

 

A little more reading and I've learned that I can use the D50 IFS springs. I guess that's another option although the ride might be a little rough.

 

You won't want to use the 250 springs at all. Bill tried them on his and his kidneys still hurt I think

 

Agreed. the truck I just picked up has the F250 springs w a D60 swap. I wanted to cry on the way home.

NONE of my f350s or f250 with dana 60s ever rode this ruff. the ride SUCKS

 

Definitely the roughest ride I have ever experienced. It rode so rough I couldn't even keep my foot on the fuel pedal. It was so rough my foot just kept stabbing at the pedal and that made it even worse. It was a nightmare! You will want to put F350 springs in the front for sure.

 

You need the F350 pitman arm, the driver's side lower U bolt cast bracket and the track bar bracket that mounts under the oil pan to the frame cross member, and the track bar itself.

Your brake calipers will attach to the donor axle as they are the same '95 and newer style, so you don't have to break open your brake system.

You DO need the F350 drag link and steering tie rod set up. The F250 setup is different and not as beefy.

Source some F350 OBS front leaf springs from a local junkyard. Even if they are clapped out and sagging. It's a better place to start than a 4" spring lift or using the IFS leafs.

Yes, the official recommendation is to never reuse U bolts. I am using the same factory U bolts from the F250 IFS on the F350 SAS set up.

 

speaking from experience those rough country springs suck and are probably worse then ifs spring when used with the sas also speaking from experience best option is stock f350 springs. i wanted a lift so i run the sky jacker soft ride springs now

 

Thanks all. I'm going to find f350 springs and a pitman arm. Sounds like the best option.

Maybe I can sell the lift kit for enough to cover most of the cost of new springs

Bob