SOA, Steering ?????

[Prime]

Gentleman
First of I want to apologice if this topic has been beat to death but I couldnt find anything on it

I am getting a SOA kit from a buddy this weekend for my Chief.

1: My question is when I install this thing on my front axel am I goin to have to install a cross over steering kit which Bjs says its required? or can I just install a drop pitman arm and be ok???

$$$$ is a little tight and I could use saving as much as possible and since I may not stay with the D44s I would hate to spend the $$$ on something I may not even keep.
Any help would be greatly appreciate and again I am sorry if this topic is been wore out. Thanks

[Chief Gunner]

In my opinion, you will need some type of cross over or hi steer setup. There are two issues you have to take into consideration with a SOA lift. The first is bump steer. The goal is to have the tie rod and drag link as close to parallel as possible. When the two are parallel, then they travel on the same plane and all is good. when you start to bring the two out of parallel, you start inducing bump steer. If you drive on road only, then bump steer may not be too much of a problem, but off road, then you might run into issues. The second issue at play iswith the actual drag link. When I did my SOA, the first thing I noticed was that without a cross steer setup, the drag link would hit the passenger side spring pack when turning to the right. If you are going to do a SOA lift, then tackle the steering at the same time. Depending on your fab skills/ access to tools, it can be done on the cheap. The BJ's kit seems to be simple and straight forward. I went a different route that required more shopping and searching, but for me that was part of the fun and I learned quite a bit as I ended up doing quite a bit of research.

[cajun_lad]

If $$$ is tight, you can try a DPA. The PO ran SOA setup on my GW w/o any steering mods, even a stock pitman arm. Drove it that way for quite some time. Especially if you are planning an axle swap in the near future. I will say this, if you do go full high steer or crossover on your d44, you can almost get that money back later when you swap axles. I'd say run a DPA for now, and you'll find out soon enough whether or not you are happy with it.

[Prime]

Thank yall, now I am not goin to Offroad this thing anytime soon now that I think about it I dont see me driving it either it just sit most of the time and look pretty.

Gunner, I have a Passenger drop axle so do you think it will still make contact at full turn???

Cajun, Hey brother now I dont want to sound dumb but what is a PDA????

I figured I could always use a drop pit where I Cross steering is a little out of my $$$ and dont want to try to sell it later to get my money back and I really dont have access to fab equipment or common sence at this tyme to Fab something up. I apreciate yalls help. Thank yall

[YJ-4BT]

Cajun, Hey brother now I dont want to sound dumb but what is a PDA????

I'm thinking you meant DPA meaning drop pitman arm

[cajun_lad]

I'm thinking you meant DPA meaning drop pitman arm

Made me do a double check, but yeah, D-P-A (not PDA) = Drop Pitman Arm.

[Chief Gunner]

Gunner, I have a Passenger drop axle so do you think it will still make contact at full turn???

My rig is a drivers side drop, so there might be some differences, but I don't think so. the issue that I saw on mine should be universal. Once you do the SOA, the stock steering set up puts the tie rod below the spring pack with your drag link intercepting the tie rod close to the inside of the passenger side spring pack. The cross over steering set up moves the drag link above the spring pack so that you never have to worry about binding. Now this is the area that I am a little unsure of and might not affect you. When I was looking at my set up, my jeep was at full droop meaning the leaf springs has zero load on them. Once I put the tires back on and set the Jeep on it's own weight, that might not have been as much of a problem. Like what was said before, if you are only street driving it, you might be able to get away with just a DPA (Drop Pitman Arm). If you go that route, just be mindful of the potential for bump steer. Just something to think about and research. Above all, research and ask questions. I ended up searching, learning, and asking questions for almost a year before I felt comfertable with my course of action (I r a rok). Take your time and make sure your plan is what you want but be flexible enough to adjust your plan when it doesn't quite work the way you want.

[Prime]

Thank you gunny, I am real unsure about which axles am goin to wind up with so thats my reasoning for trying to cheap out plus $$$ is a little tight right now. Plus with my buddy hooking me up on the SOA set up and me having a extra set of 35s that I been itching to install I am ready to do this
Now Cajun I am sorry about the mix up, after all I only have a Jefferson Parish education (NOLA) But thank yall, I will be installing the SOA and drop pitman arm. I will be documenting it and taking pictures I will post.

[cajun_lad]

Now Cajun I am sorry about the mix up, after all I only have a Jefferson Parish education (NOLA) But thank yall, I will be installing the SOA and drop pitman arm. I will be documenting it and taking pictures I will post.

No prob... my edu'macation came from East Baton Rouge Parish. Just sayin'

[Kenall]

This is my first solution.
Just a custom draglink used the OE tie rod and pitman arm.
Worked great, but there was bump steer.



This is my current solution. X over steering with the proper knuckles, used the OE tie rod, pitman arm, and draglink.

[cajun_lad]

This is my current solution. X over steering with the proper knuckles, used the OE tie rod, pitman arm, and draglink.

That's a Full high steer setup. Cross over steering would leave the tie rod in the stock location, and only use a high steer arm on the pass side to connect the drag link to the pitman arm.

[Kenall]

That's a Full high steer setup. Cross over steering would leave the tie rod in the stock location, and only use a high steer arm on the pass side to connect the drag link to the pitman arm.

ah..i didnt like THAT version as it seemed to me to place too much strain on the single knuckle to turn both tires.

[PNW79J10]

to do my custom lift, I didn't go with SOA because of the steering arm/ leafspring issue, and I didn't have the money for a crossover. so I just put a 4" block between the front spring mount and the frame and welded it in i did have to go with the Drop pitman arm though

[serehill]

OMG

Now I'm really glad I did SUA Thanks guys.

[Prime]

Thank yall very much, I asked around here and yall should see some of the stuff they are coming up with but its ok, I think I have a plan