SOA questions

[ROCRWLR]

6006

6007

6008I am considering doing a SOA lift. I know I need a tailshaft conversion, crosover steering and driveshafts. what else am I going to need to buy to do a SOA lift. I want to do it right or what will it cost to have a lift like this done at a shop.

[Jeepnut]

My SOA is now 8 years old, love it. It's a lot of work to do right, and you MUST do it right. Don't takle it unless you have decent mechanical ability and can weld. If you don't have these abilities, I would definately go to a shop and pay the piper.

Rubicon Express sells a kit that is good for starters, includes new spring perches, add-a-leafs for your stock springs, etc. From there you have to figure out steering/driveshafts/tailshaft issues.

Then you will embark on a journey of trial and error finding the right springs for your application, as the stockers (if you use them) will sag quickly. I'm currently running stock sets with a custom military wrap second spring, so far so good.

Your welcome to see mine, but you'll have to drive to Payson:D

[desertfabmotors]

6006

6007

6008I am considering doing a SOA lift. I know I need a tailshaft conversion, crosover steering and driveshafts. what else am I going to need to buy to do a SOA lift. I want to do it right or what will it cost to have a lift like this done at a shop.

Longer shocks, relocate shock mounts, anti-wrap bar after springs settle, new springs. longer brake lines, new spring perches and do not cut corners.

If you have any questions give me a call, I have done alot of SOA conversions over the years.

Todd

[Oc1paddler]

Mines finaly together and is running if you want to check it out. I went full width on the axles but the principle is still the same. You need to spend the time and do the research on all of your angles ect. to end up with a finished product that is streetable. I spent a lot of time looking at other peoples before I started mine and the end result was it drove perfect the first test drive. Let me know if you would like to check mine out for ideas.
Pierre
72 big block commando

[tyota]

Longer shocks, relocate shock mounts, anti-wrap bar after springs settle, new springs. longer brake lines, new spring perches and do not cut corners.

If you have any questions give me a call, I have done alot of SOA conversions over the years.

Todd

x2, especially on the anti-wrap bar, and I would attempt to cycle the suspension the get the right shock lengths as well, I think Todd was making an anti-wrap bar awhile back? I'm sure he can hook you up with one custom made

[dragon51]

I must say I do like my SOA not sure who did it thought I bought the Jeep that way.

[DeSlug]

My brother and I have done a number of SOAs on our Jeeps, and friends jeeps. Some issues you'll have to deal with:

Driveshaft (CV type & longer)
Spring wrap (Anti-wrap bar needed or your springs will be "W" shaped.)
Steering. (modified drag link + drop pitman OR some type of high clearance)
Longer shocks
Longer brake lines
Longer vent hoses
New spring perches & maybe U-bolts.
Crossmember may need to be hacked on for the front & rear driveshaft.
Limiting straps?
Modified swaybar linkage

I ditched the front and rear panhard bars on my YJ. If you want to keep yours, they will need to be modified.

A simple SOA can give you some enormous wheel travel:
http://www.u.arizona.edu/~mschwitz/pics/RAW1.JPG

Have you considered moving your rear axle back? It would fit nicely since you have already chopped out the rear quarters. It would also alleviate driveshaft angles. You'll be getting a new driveshaft anyhoo, so why not? I believe there are some threads in the forum regarding the use of Wagoneer spring packs for this purpose.

Good luck!

MIKE

[John_P]

I just read in the new JP mag that SOA is DEAD. Yea, I guess companies are now providing much better spring packs for SUA that provide as much lift, without the drawbacks. Just an option you may want to consider, given all you would have to replace and do for a SOA.

[1BLKJP]

Sometimes the guys in JP are just dead. :D There's more to a SOA than just getting more lift without needing a 6 or 8 inch SU leaf pack.

Going SOA nets you so much more ground clearance under the tubes. More lift on the vehicle is gooooood, but so is the fact that there's less to get hung up on under the axles.

[John_P]

Sometimes the guys in JP are just dead. :D There's more to a SOA than just getting more lift without needing a 6 or 8 inch SU leaf pack.

Going SOA nets you so much more ground clearance under the tubes. More lift on the vehicle is gooooood, but so is the fact that there's less to get hung up on under the axles.

So...your worried about getting hung up on a leaf spring? JP guys thought they would at best provide a nice "ramp" of rocks. Also, they noted that SOA does nto flex as well as SUA and that the track bar binds. Is that true?

[My1stJeep]

So...your worried about getting hung up on a leaf spring? JP guys thought they would at best provide a nice "ramp" of rocks. Also, they noted that SOA does nto flex as well as SUA and that the track bar binds. Is that true?

HUH???? I have wheeled with several YJ's, some with SUA and some SOA. The SOA has always flexed better. The guys that owned the Jeep first when it was SUA and then converted it have always said how much smoother it rides and the proof on how much better it flexed was seen on the trail.

The bonus of using the stock YJ springs and doing the SOA is that often times with lifted springs they have to re-arch them, or add leafs which will make the ride stiffer and lesson the flex. Using the stock springs keeps that from happening. Even a quick look at the geometry of a SOA vs SUA should give you a pretty good picture that the SOA will provide better flex.

[1BLKJP]

So...your worried about getting hung up on a leaf spring? JP guys thought they would at best provide a nice "ramp" of rocks. Also, they noted that SOA does nto flex as well as SUA and that the track bar binds. Is that true?

I read the article your talking about, and some of the stuff they used was pretty trick. The U-Bolt kit from Currie I believe does tuck stuff up a little closer to the axle, but there still a good few inches of ground clearance lost when you factor in the spring perch and the leafs. Plus I believe they used some custom made 11 leaf packs to get the lift they wanted on there. I would be for an average joe they are pretty expensive.

Overall the way they put it together it's a pretty nice setup, but if you are rockin leafs I would still say the best way to tackle a trail rig is SOA.

[MaxPF]

The guys at JP are stoned. SOA will give you better flex for a given amount of lift since the springs are flatter. SUA requires more arch and/or stiffer springs, and both limit droop. OTOH, a SUA lift is easier to install by the average joe.

[dragon51]

SOA=Kill flex I am open front and back and part of what has gotten me throught stuff is the flex I have from the SOA that an a steady foot. Mater of fact it rides smoother than my first car did that was lowered

[wmn2blame]

are wagoneer springs the same length as YJ springs or will I have to move the spring hangers. also I need to see what wagoneer springs are going to cost. it would be nice to extend wheelbase.

[georgia]

are wagoneer springs the same length as YJ springs or will I have to move the spring hangers. also I need to see what wagoneer springs are going to cost. it would be nice to extend wheelbase.


IIRC... you'll have to move the spring hangers...or the shackle mounts...Also, the center pin is further forward and back I believe...

I run stock length springs, with revolvers in the rear and custom packs I built myself...

[wmn2blame]

I've already cut my fenders and with the wagoneer springs I can extend my wheelbase but it sounds like alot of work to move the hangers. I may just do my SOA with the rancho 2.5 springs that are on my jeep now and change them later if I decide.

[desertfabmotors]

I've already cut my fenders and with the wagoneer springs I can extend my wheelbase but it sounds like alot of work to move the hangers. I may just do my SOA with the rancho 2.5 springs that are on my jeep now and change them later if I decide.

use those springs, you will sit extremly high. Your driveline angles will be maxed at rest. Then if you change springs to lower it you will need to reset all pinion angles.
Better of to do the correct way the first time. Just info. for thought:D

[knockonit]

Just finished a soa on my 91, it has it difficulties, but taking your time and getting advise from those that know make it go that much easier.
Between the club site, Nick at Perfomance and the folks at 4 wheelers the advise and answers were forthcoming. 4 wheelers always had the parts, the one stop shop.
Anyway, used the factory springs and as expected they are a little worn, so i had set it up to be an additional 1'' or so lift, when i purchase new springs, i have a new x fer with a rebuilt tranny to put in next which has a sye on, ther goes another 300.00, so , right now it runs great with the old driveshaft(on pavement only) won't take it wheeling till I make x fer change.
Ride is fabulous, put new ranchos on front, and had a set of ? for the rear already.
I have 35's on it and it rubs when you get onit, so hence the new springs and perhaps a body lift, so the factory goodies can stay on.
The lockrights aren't as noisy as i thought, but definately had an effect on steering. Ah the steering ,,presently using factory goodies, but will eventually as soon as the money trees blooms look to desert fab on their steering solution.
I used the RE perches which are larger than stock, and the offset ones for the front made setting location easy.
Struggled with emergency brake but eventually figured it out. Still have them.

I had a 4'' spring under lift, while it served its purpose for about 6 months, and after riding in a soa, there was no hard decision on changing over,
The 91 looks great even with its scratches and dents, new jeep altogether will post pictures as soon as i can convince my career student to show me how to use the digital unit.
ok then

[ThumpAZ]

Don't forget caster as well. If you do an SOA with a lift spring, the absolute correct way also includes turning the knuckles to recover the correct caster on the front axle.

Rubicon express has a couple of spring packs that are specifically designed for SOA conversions. We used 6-leaf packs all the way around and were SHOCKED by the results. From now on, it would be 5-leaf rear packs and 6-leaf up front with a engine swap/heavy winch, etc. or 5-leaf packs all around with standard equipment.
Talk to Todd at DesertFab (480) 288-4213 and he'll get you hooked up on all the parts and advice you'll need for this. Or you can have him do it and know it got done right the first time.

In the past, folks just basically flipped the u-bolts, got some shocks, relocated the brake lines and called it good with steering hitting, loss of turning radius and bound-to-heck drivelines.

[ryan rich]

i did soa with the 2.5 springs that were already on my jeep ive got 37" tires with plentty of room but its too tall its gonna be tipsy ill send u a pic next weekend when my wife gets back with r camra that way u can see how big it is

[ThumpAZ]

Someone said something about moving the axle back... that would require relocation of the stock gas tank or purchase/install of a fuel cell.

[ryan rich]

there r fuel cells on pirate cheep