4-6" lift or SOA and rear shackle 7"

[uberhahn]

Any ride impressions using the stock springs? I'm debating the SOA route, but am tempted by the "Full kit" from places as BJ's.

So, let's hear the pro's and cons of the SOA. How much lift exactly. What mods required, other than brake lines?...

[FSJ Thing]

I liked the SOA + RB Shackle Flip and was amazed at how flexy it was. It was NOT easy or cheap like I thought it would be. I burnt 3 drill bits putting the shackle flipper kit on and I had to make a U-bolt for the front axle since I couldn't find one that fit under the pumkin right and I dang near ripped the shaft out of the steering box trying to get the pitman arm off. In the end, however, I was amazed at how flexy it was and with the narrow track axles and 38" tires, it was for a fun ride in the Wyoming wind. I haven't done one of BJs lifts yet so I can't tell you the results of a side by side comparison, but there 4" system definitely on my list of future expenditures. Hopefully someone else here has done both and can tell you the pros and cons of each.

[Superboob]

I'm going to swap in a older chevy axle with the springs already mounted on top of the axle. Would there be any problems doin that?

I'll be running 33x12.50's and 4.09 gears.

[Damage, Inc.]

I'm doing a SOA and BDS 4" and have no idea how it rides because it's not done yet!! :( :(

But soon...

[youngjeeper]

im doing SOA with rancho 44044's in the front (2.5") and i guess 3-4" springs in the rear with the RB's shackle flip kit

[FSJ Thing]

Originally posted by 75 J10:
I'm going to swap in a older chevy axle with the springs already mounted on top of the axle. Would there be any problems doin that?

I'll be running 33x12.50's and 4.09 gears.Others will hopefully chime in, but I see some potential problems with the steering. The Chebby axle is a little wider, and the steering box/pitman arm are connected to the drivers side steering knuckle, where as FSJs control the steering by hooking straight to the ...(brainfart, can't remember what it's called) rod that goes between the steering knuckles. Sorry I can't remember the name of the thing, It'll come to me and I'll post again...

[partywagon]

i asked this on my post about S.O.A.'s in the off-road section but no one has answered it yet so i'll try here has any one here tried to do a coil suspension system it seems like i remember seeing someone with one on a chop-top wag but i may have seen it somewhere else

[blt2krl]

Originally posted by partywagon:
i asked this on my post about S.O.A.'s in the off-road section but no one has answered it yet so i'll try here has any one here tried to do a coil suspension system it seems like i remember seeing someone with one on a chop-top wag but i may have seen it somewhere elseFrank from Norway has done this. Search and I think you will find a link to his site....

[blt2krl]

Originally posted by 75 J10:
I'm going to swap in a older chevy axle with the springs already mounted on top of the axle. Would there be any problems doin that?

I'll be running 33x12.50's and 4.09 gears.It will bolt up fine but you will need cross over steering to get the steering hooked up right.

[jode]

Originally posted by youngjeeper:
im doing SOA with rancho 44044's in the front (2.5") and i guess 3-4" springs in the rear with the RB's shackle flip kitIsn't that gunna leave you keister hangin pretty high up in the wind?

[youngjeeper]

Originally posted by jode:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by youngjeeper:
im doing SOA with rancho 44044's in the front (2.5") and i guess 3-4" springs in the rear with the RB's shackle flip kitIsn't that gunna leave you keister hangin pretty high up in the wind?</font>[/QUOTE]yup but i cant find 2.5" springs for the rear...and ive never seen 3" springs..the rear sits higher on my other waggie, dont look that bad

[shag]

Why not use a suburban 1/2 ton spring with no overload out back for the 2 inches or get a add a leaf th hot rod look on a 4x4 ??????

[shag]

On the soa topic in the off road section someone mentioned dodge spring mounts for the rear shackle flip anybody else do this have info or any other ideas for the budget minded of us?

[Dome]

I would say go with the SOA, but there are definatly things to consider. I am assuming by full kit you mean the 6" lift kit. This is a whole lot of spring lift for a FSJ and these will be very stiff springs. If you use some soft, but not sagging stock springs, you and people you wheel with will be amazed at the flex the FSJ will have. I yeilded almost exactly 6" of lift with my SOA.

Now the biggest warning I have about an SOA is steering. If your truck is a daily driver... Invest in a cross-over steering solution (ask Riverbeast or Ken Wetherall about details on this). A 4" dropped pitman arm will make the truck 'drivable' but not necessarily safe. You will have horrible bump steer on the highway at speeds over 45mph.

Swapping in Chevy axles will eliminate the difficult welding situation but may not yeild the best caster angle. Also, remember the Chevy axles are (if memory serves me correctly) about 5" wider (overall) in the front and a little more in the back than even a WT axle (so substantially wider than the puny NT axles). Just something to keep in mind.

Despite the quirks a SOA can cause, I am extreamly happy with both the look and performance it gives to a FSJ.

[Rhino Racer]

Great topic. Does anyone know if the pinion angle on a SOA should remain the same as stock? My 82 Cherokee handles great on-road and I don't want to loose that.

Where does one get new stock (height and spring rating)springs?

[Jeepasaurus]

I love the SOA lift I did. It flexes like no other truck I have seen. If this is for wheelin go for it, If it is for road use the store kit might me easyier .

[ January 10, 2004, 08:16 PM: Message edited by: Jeepasaurus ]

[Superboob]

What exactly does teh cross-over steering entail? What do I need to do it, and what do I need to do? I havn't heard about it... any help :confused:

[blt2krl]

try this,
Steering Info (http://www.ifsja.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=024085)
;)

[oldyellowwagoneer]

I have a SOA with 4" springs up front using a chevy front axle and crossover steering, and the dodge mounts with suburban springs in the rear.The ride is wonderful.It's a little stiffer than stock but really handles well on the highway and offroad. Although at first the chevy front end seems way too big it actually looks and works quite well allowing very tight turning with tall rubber I even drove without front shocks for about a month and a half and had no control issues.You should set the caster/camber angles according to the chevy specs. Dennis

[Sambo]

dan rough country makes 3"springs for the rear...
just fyi

[Georgia Mike]

OK,so who has up-close pix of the spring perch on the diff? Things like details of grinding on the diff to accomodate the perch,grinding on the perch to fit the diff section,what u-bolts to buy,you know,the little stuff that folks are wondering about. Also,what pinion angle did you use? Stock,or 2-3 degrees up,or what? Driveshaft mods? Brakelines(brands or stock replacements from some other odd-ball application)? All you guys that have done it,share your knowledge and insight for us "vertically challenged" FSJ'ers smile.gif

[Buggzz]

Dome, I have an 83 waggy too. This, and the fact that you are only 50 miles away will quickly make you my new best friend! smile.gif

Would you mind taking some pictures of the work involved in doing a full SOA. I just got my waggy and am looking for its first big mod. It will be a great while before I do it, but I want to be prepared.

Thanks.

Originally posted by Dome:
I would say go with the SOA, but there are definatly things to consider. I am assuming by full kit you mean the 6" lift kit. This is a whole lot of spring lift for a FSJ and these will be very stiff springs. If you use some soft, but not sagging stock springs, you and people you wheel with will be amazed at the flex the FSJ will have. I yeilded almost exactly 6" of lift with my SOA.

Now the biggest warning I have about an SOA is steering. If your truck is a daily driver... Invest in a cross-over steering solution (ask Riverbeast or Ken Wetherall about details on this). A 4" dropped pitman arm will make the truck 'drivable' but not necessarily safe. You will have horrible bump steer on the highway at speeds over 45mph.

Swapping in Chevy axles will eliminate the difficult welding situation but may not yeild the best caster angle. Also, remember the Chevy axles are (if memory serves me correctly) about 5" wider (overall) in the front and a little more in the back than even a WT axle (so substantially wider than the puny NT axles). Just something to keep in mind.

Despite the quirks a SOA can cause, I am extreamly happy with both the look and performance it gives to a FSJ.

[ January 13, 2004, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: Buggzz ]

[gtrobb]

Hey all - new to the forum here.

Hey Damage - I just completed SOA front/BDS 4" rear springs on my 76 J10 and LOVE it. Highway manners are great and I haven't lost any teeth. MUCH softer ride than the 4" SuperLift system I had on my 77 J10 a few years back. Dad bought that one new and I sold it (yea, I'm still kicking myself on that one).

[Bobbo]

I was thinking of a SOA on a trail rig I may start on. Is there a cheap way to do the steering on a non street driven vehicle?
(not that 300 is alot)

[mojolounge]

Just a question if you are wanting to get serious flex why not do coils. I am really impressed with the performance of my coils over leaf springs. If you are going to do a spring over you are going to have to do something to deal with the axle wrap just as you would with coils. SO I say jump in with both feet and go extreme, nowhere inbetween. even if your rig is a daily driver it would not be that severe of a job just a good long weekend.

[youngjeeper]

hmmm, you got pics of your chero with coils???

[River Beast]

ok... X-Over steering:

Dana 44 with 4" suspension lift, SOA

http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeast/steering_files/image002.jpg

what is needed:

Flattop knuckle- machined drilled and tapped
44 high steer arm and hardware
spacer--1" to 3"... depending on what lift you have.. 3" is pictured.
Custom draglink ( not shown below)

Cost--- ~$300

http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeast/steering_files/image012.jpg

Dana 60 X-Over Steering

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/RiverBeast/RB_front.jpg

Cost--- $150 for high steer arm and custom draglink....

[jeepcj559]

http://imageshack.us/files/MVC-010Sbig715R.jpg

My springs over is stif but flexs well for my heavy truck M715

[jeepcj559]

I use it with 52" tires

http://imageshack.us/files/MVC-008Sbig715.jpg

[jps for me]

I used chev running gear from a blazer, ( I know, such a disgrace.) stering was no problem.
just fliped the drag bar over, used the factorystering stabilizer as my tie rod (it is milled the same as stock jeep.)
shortened my drag link 4", worked out veary nice

[Frankenstien]

Did the 6inch rusty's and 3 inch body and I like the results. It was a little bit of a rougher ride till I added 400 pounds of bumpers. Now it rides like a Caddy. LOL

[The Gator]

Their is a guy here in PA. that did my perches and is doing my rock sliders he does crossover steering for $500.00 not bad and he covers everything he does. I never messed with steering so I will leave it up to him just to be safe. Pictures of the wagoneer will be posted soon as I get my new camera the 36x12.50 TSL Swampers are on w/the rockcrawler rims just waiting to get a warm day to do the Durabak exterior/interior..

[ February 07, 2004, 05:11 AM: Message edited by: wagman ]