SOA/ x-over

[Chief Gunner]

I want to start assembling parts for a SOA and cross over. I wanted to run my parts list by y'all more experienced folks to make sure I am not forgetting any of the major items. I am sure there will be a bunch of small stuff that I will figure out as I start the lift. Here is my list so far:

SOA/ SF from BJ's
passenger side flat top knuckle from junk yard
right side steering arm from parts mike
stud kit from parts mike
extended brake lines from BJ's
4 shocks from local 4 wheel supply

I am wondering if I could use my stock drag link and tie rod. If I could that would be best to keep costs down. I am sure that I am missing something. Any help would be greatly appreceated. Thanks.

[will e]

Tires and wheels.
New ubolts.



You might go ask in the off road section. Lots of guys over there have SOA/SF advice and they don't look in General Discussion. PM me if you want me to move this thread for ya.

I did SOA/SF. I just bought all new parts from parts mike due to the age of the truck. You might think about replacing bearings, ball joints, etc.

[TPICherokee]

New ubolts.


It sure is nice that the BJ's sells the TT's SOA kit with ubolts...:D

[Chief Gunner]

It sure is nice that the BJ's sells the TT's SOA kit with ubolts...:D


Ha...Ha.... I knew that already. I just want to make sure that I am not leaving any big items out. Thanks for the help there.

[phatmax95]

Driveshafts.

[Casey]

You'll have to make a new drag link if going with x-over steering. With high steer you can have your stock pieces cut and threaded to work. Not so on x-over. The DL will be too short to reach from the steering box to the new arm. The TR will work in the stock location, just take the DL off of it.

May also need a spacer between the new steering arm and the knuckle in order to clear the springs. Maybe not... I had to use spacers with PMP arms on my high steer.

[TPICherokee]

You'll have to make a new drag link if going with x-over steering. With high steer you can have your stock pieces cut and threaded to work. Not so on x-over. The DL will be too short to reach from the steering box to the new arm. The TR will work in the stock location, just take the DL off of it.


It's a good thing that BJ's Crossover kit comes with a new drag link... :D

This is fun...

[Chief Gunner]

TPI, you have answers for everything. :) However, kits are too easy and take all the fun out of it. Also, did I mention I am a balla on a budget and have to do this on the cheap. I think I can make a new drag link.

[will e]

A plasma cutter will come in handy for the SF. Also for cutting the crossmember to clear the drive shaft.

Good to hear you are going with SOA/SF. I did that on my Cherokee and I love it. I had a 4" spring lift on my waggy, it was okay, but ride quality and flex on the soa/sf is superior.

[Prime]

just my opinion but I would rather wait a little bit and buy the new complete set from BJs than go through the headache of trying to piece it together, and modify parts my self. We get a FSJ discount and they even have layway. Now I have a question of my own. How much do you have to lenghten the drive shafts for the SOA /SF installation? I have a spare front and rear that I might as well have lenghten since I am almost ready for the SOA installation.

[will e]

Your best bet on drive shafts will be to measure once you are done with the lift.

[Prime]

thanks, it does make sense. I am almost ready and want to get it right the first time. Thanks

[Chief Gunner]

just my opinion but I would rather wait a little bit and buy the new complete set from BJs than go through the headache of trying to piece it together, and modify parts my self. We get a FSJ discount and they even have layway. Now I have a question of my own. How much do you have to lenghten the drive shafts for the SOA /SF installation? I have a spare front and rear that I might as well have lenghten since I am almost ready for the SOA installation.

I hear ya on buying the kits. A part of me wants to do it that way as it would be easier. However, part of the fun of this is figuring out what works and what doesn't. I do believe that things have to be done right and I do have access to some pretty good fabricators and tools, so when I get in over my head I know I can turn to people with more knowledge than myself. If I were doing this alone, I would just buy the 6" spring lift and call it done. I do believe that I can safely complete a lift and cross over rather cheaply. I do want to do it right though. I don't want questionable parts or anything like that.

[Prime]

well brother good, sounds like you are highly motivated and very capable. That alone is a great trait to have. Plus remember at one point somebody came up with this idea, and did a good job, so there is no reason you can't. Good luck, be safe, and make sure you do a build up post with lots of pictures. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Casey]

I hear ya on buying the kits. A part of me wants to do it that way as it would be easier. However, part of the fun of this is figuring out what works and what doesn't. I do believe that things have to be done right and I do have access to some pretty good fabricators and tools, so when I get in over my head I know I can turn to people with more knowledge than myself. If I were doing this alone, I would just buy the 6" spring lift and call it done. I do believe that I can safely complete a lift and cross over rather cheaply. I do want to do it right though. I don't want questionable parts or anything like that.
Eh.... I did it, anyone can. I got all the stuff and did most of it in a weekend.

Sort of a 'kit'. ;)

[matt thompson]

You could always do it like I do, Start a project thinking you have everything than realize half way through you need twice as many things and the halfday project turns into a week with twice as much cost and 20 trips to the parts store:p But a lot of things you can't get, or don't know you need 'till your covered in fsj grease.

[will e]

You could always do it like I do, Start a project thinking you have everything than realize half way through you need twice as many things and the halfday project turns into a week with twice as much cost and 20 trips to the parts store:p But a lot of things you can't get, or don't know you need 'till your covered in fsj grease.

That sounds like my build...

[Carlos E]

Here is a picture of mine, hope it helps, TT soa and home made Hi-steer,

[Chief Gunner]

Here is a picture of mine, hope it helps, TT soa and home made Hi-steer,


Hi,
Looks like a nice build. Could you take a few more pics of your steering set up? Looks like what I want to do and I would love to see more pics of how your set up the steering on your rig.

[Carlos E]

Hi,
Looks like a nice build. Could you take a few more pics of your steering set up? Looks like what I want to do and I would love to see more pics of how your set up the steering on your rig.

I'll snap some close up pics this weekend and report monday, CL

[Casey]

Check here:

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=58435

[Carlos E]

Check here:

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=58435

Gunner,

There is all the info - pictures you need, CL

[Chief Gunner]

Okay, I am reading through the thread which is awesome. It has however brought up a new question for me. I was under the assumption that all I needed was a Dana 44 flat top knuckle. However, I am thinking I need to worry about disk brakes and bolt patterns. Right now, I have a 6 bolt pattern for my wheels and disk brakes up front. I am assuming that most flat top knuckles are set up for disk brakes, but it is something that I have to remember when I start looking. Is there anything else I would need off the donor knuckle? Bearings, shims, or anything like that. I was thinking that all I would need would be the knuckle and everything off my existing knuckle would just be transferred over. Am I right on this assumtion? Thanks, and thanks for the link.

[Casey]

You just need a knuckle(s) from a disc brake equipped D44 axle - FSJ or Chevy - and install your spindle(s) and outers once the machine work is complete.

[Chief Gunner]

You just need a knuckle(s) from a disc brake equipped D44 axle - FSJ or Chevy - and install your spindle(s) and outers once the machine work is complete.

Okay, thats what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure. I gave my wife a ball park figure and I can't go beyond it too much. She isn't like congress or something.