So, I'm 99.9% sure Im heading out to National 4WD in Fredericton to get my truck done. waitin on the loan now and then takin a week off work to go out and get my truck done and..to PARTY!! haha here's the things im gettin done to her.

1) Solid Axel Swap on the front end ( Coil Springs,manual Locker)
2) dana 60's in the rear
3) 4:10's
4) headers/true duel
5) 39.5 OR 40 swamper Irocs Or pitbull rockers
6) 8-9 inch lift kit (i already have a 3 "BL)
7) chromoly driveshafts
8) losing the rack and pinion

after thats all said and done for the spare parts are gonna be sold and my 33's so i'll probably make some cash off it to go towards my tires.! should be a GREAT build for the national4wd guys! can't waaaaait the truck has already got a programmer and a CAI so she'll have power for the tires. should be happining sometime this month!

 

What's the advantage to a straight axle in the front? Stronger I'm assuming and easier to lift, but as far as driving off road, wouldn't IFS be better?

 

NOOOOO!!!! With a solid front axle, you have all of the advantages of the IFS on the street and none of the drawbacks of the IFS offroad. It is stronger, more gearing options, holds up to bigger tires, more articulation. You can upgrade a solid front axle with stronger axle shafts, bigger u-joints, and you cant do any of that to the IFS setup.

 

This debate has been raging for a while in the offroad community. Solid axles are much stronger and can be locked easier and are more dependable. IFS can't really be locked and are more prone to failures. However, if done right they can offer better flexing capabilities. With our trucks the only way to really go for an extreme wheeler is to swap axles because of the weak IFS and lack of lifts for the dakota. I always go by keep it simple stupid and the straight axle is just about as simple as you can get so I'd stick with it but thats just me.

 

plus a giant straight axle looks BA under a dak, cause there are so few ppl with the sas

 

yep! all off the above