IFS to SFA

[David Maritz]

I own a Mitsu Colt pre 98 and thinking on going from IFS to SFA, but my pumpkin on the diff is on the left side now I had the recommendation to get a rear Gearmax diff and mod it to take the Hilux turning mechanisms. It was also recommended that the gear ratios to be changed to 1:478 front and back and fit 33" tires on the vehicle. This "custom diff" will have a front locker as well that will make my vehicle to have dual lockers.

The other mod will be to put spacers between the diff and leaf springs and extended schackles and schocks to level the vehicle at the back with the front end.

Is there any mods done like this that anyone knows about? Standard diff that will fit in my vehicle. Did mitsu nat developed any sfa's in the past that could be easily used? I love my Mitsu and would like to have the advantages of the sfa and clearances.

Just to get things clear,

Toyota front diff and Gearmax rear diff to make an combination diff
Locker in front
Land Cruiser coil springs and schocks
Change gear ratios front and back to 1:478
33" tires

My questions are

Fuel consumption?
Space for 33"
Steps to get into the vehicle

All help appreciated...

[NJV6]

In the last month there have been numerous threads here about doing solid axle swaps and what is involved.

Have a bit of a look through and see what you think, yes you will need to majorily modify a front diff or use a Dana. Search for 'SAS'

Fuel consumption should not be an issue when doing such a major mod like this.

[David Maritz]

Thanks will do so, as in Soth Africa these conversions do not happen at this stage not too much, due to it is so expensive to do. There are cheaper sfa's on the market so I will probably go that route.

Thanks for the info.

[WACKO]

if your going to cut and weld a front axle i would just mod a std hilux one. you can chop a section out of the long side then reweld it in on the short side. if you do it right you will still be able to use standard axles which is much easier when you come to either do further mods or if you break one. a link to my solid axle swap is in my sig line.

Sam