I've been tossing this about in my head a bit and wondered if anyone else has considered it. My thought was to make a steel frame to mount the front diff to that would hold the spindles in permanent position relative to the differential. Spring perches and shock mounts could be welded onto the frame along with multi-links and modified steering linkage to allow it to act as though it were a solid axle setup.

Chances are it's just as much work as a regular SAS and perhaps not as strong, but there's something that makes a statement to me by keeping the Kia parts rather than giving in and using somebody else's.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Ya, my thought is that Kia should make an industrial SAS Kit with all kinds of gearing options that is reasonably priced!

Back to reality ... your idea seems like a lot more work to design and dial in compared to current successful SAS's in action.

Just my 69 cents <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Do you mean like this??????


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<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

No, in that thread they were discussing still keeping IFS in front (each wheel still moves independently), but extending it further down below the frame. I'm talking about essentially keeping the front diff and halfshaft setup, but locking them in position within a frame that causes the whole thing to act as a solid axle.

I've heard of that idea being called a "mortal" as in "mock portal" where the centerline of the diff is above the centerline of the wheels.

Yes, I thought that would be at least one advantage of doing it that way, giving you better clearnace up front. I thought costs may stay lower than SAS, too. But you'd still have lower clearance from the rear diff.