SOA Lift, why better or worse than lift system(Rustys)

[Duckman]

Ok, I am pretty set on the SOA at this point. I was going to go with the Rusty's 6" but am concerned with the quality assurance issues I have heard about here, wrong parts etc... I am now planning an SOA. How much lift will I get? What gremlins can I expect? What size shocks will I need. You guys always give great advice, I appreciate any input you may have on why or why I shouldn't do this lift. Thanks all.

[ May 27, 2002: Message edited by: Duckman ]</p>

[Duckman]

Wow, that title was pretty confusing, sorry I just want to know what the benefits, such as soft ride and the drawbacks of a SOA lift are. What will it cost me total, and what can I expect when performing this mod. Thanks alot guy's.

[Stuka]

The ride may or may not be better then new springs. It depends on the condition of your current springs.

For me putting the new Rusty's springs up front made my ride much smoother. Because my chero camme with stiffer springs from the factory.

The cost for a SOA will be MUCH less thenn buying a full 6" kit, including the cost of Todd's shackle inversion kit (if thats what you are going to use for the back)

So its really just up to what you will be doing.

[Duckman]

yes I was looking at Todd's shackle inversion. My springs feel pretty soft now, I think I can help suppport them with better shocks and still have a soft ride.

[River Beast]

front:

Perches $20
U-bolts-$24
shockes- $40 x 2
4" drop pitman arm-$65
ext. brakelines-$??? but you can relocate the mount on the frame for FREE...I did.

about a days worth of work if you have all the tools...

Rear:

My shackle Inversion kit-$155 'to your door'
shocks-$80
brake line mods-$??? I did mine for FREE

DONE!!!

About another days works... most likely less.

total cost of SOA giving 6-7" of lift:

$424...NO BLOCKS and maintain your cushy soft OEM ride with LOTS of articulation.

[ May 28, 2002: Message edited by: River Beast ]</p>

[Hump]

Well i'm no expert like some of these guys. But i've worked two whole days on mine, and am now waiting on hardware. Have lots of jack stands. An impact is a necessity. I think that a lift kit would have been much easier, and cost about the same...but that's because i'm in the process and it isn't going quite as planned.

RB, where did you find u-bolts so cheap? They're like $10 a piece around here!

[River Beast]

Hump,

I went to a spring shop and had them made...$6 each....

[ May 28, 2002: Message edited by: River Beast ]</p>

[porkchop]

Yep custom u-bolts with nuts and washers cost me $30 from the same shop. These are the 9/16 thick ones.

An SOA can bring on the problems while doing it. I ran into a few problems as I am sure everyone did, but it cost A LOT LESS than a lift.

[tuck]

I'm all about SOA
But one of the cool things about "lift kits" is that you're getting new springs. Of course, your saggy old springs will be fun and flexy.
I love my jeep with SOA, it's fun to drive and wheels a lot better than stock. I have rs 5012's up front, they're long. Make sure you put in bumpstops up front or you'll be negative arching your front springs and they'll wear out even faster. Trim your fenders, throw on some big tires, lock the diffs and drive it like you stole it!

[Snakeyes_Tx]

Todd, do you have a part number for the spring perches? I was told you can use perches that are commonly found at a Dodge dealership for about 18 bucks a pair, but no part number was ever listed?

[River Beast]

Snake,

It's been a while since I bought mine.... Bryant (Porkchop) may be able to hook you up thru American Spring... Buddy and TJ asre AWESOME brothers with a GREAT business..

they are normal 2.5" perches.

[Duckman]

Thanks guys, I like the ideas I have heard. I know I can run 33's with the SOA, will it be ok to run 35's with a little fender trimming? I don't do alot of flexing, mostly just sticky mud.

[Gary Holmes]

The Cow used a Rusty's 4" lift system with 1-1/2" blocks in the rear and Tera-Flex revolvers in the front. With a bit of hammer work and some trimming on the very front of front fender opening I stuff 35" Procom XTerrains with no problem (W/T BTW). My RTI was 756 on a 25% ramp and it looked like I had retractable landing gear on the rear. My limit was the shocks actually but I am holding off until I get the shackle flip and revolvers on the rear to measure and order RS9000 series shocks to fit. I will do an y bumpstop modifications at that time. My goal was not to raise the Cow any higher than it take to stuff the 35"s. I have a 77 with SOA, lift sprints and a 3" body lift and if I took it whare I go with the Cow I would need wheels on the door handles because it is going to FALL OVER !!