Lowering a soa lift...

[jasonmark1993]

Can you? Considering looking at one...appears to be a nice job. I can see and they claim new brake lines (steel); didn't mention anything with the steering. They've got 35s on there but I really don't want such a tall ride. Can you have the springs relieved at all?

Thanks

 

[Old Dog]

it depends on what springs they used. A SOA will usually get you about 6" of lift with stock height cj springs. You might lower it some with YJ springs which are a little flatter.
Make sure it has high steer and not some crazy Z drag link.

 

[BusaDave9]

As Old Dog said it would lower your CJ6 inches if you get rid of the SOA.
Then you may have to get rid of the 35 inch tires.

 

[jasonmark1993]

thanks guys...they def. have some different shackles on there too so maybe that's why it is so high.

I glanced at a couple threads mentioning those yj springs...I think people went to those because they rode smoother. Is that right? I would think being flat that they wouldn't travel as much which might relieve the bounciness of a jeep but wouldn't it be more harsh?

As far as high steer vs. this z drag link.....are some people just adding in a drag link to reach down to the tie rods? You guys want a diff. pitman arm and the original tie rods flipped or something?

Sure is slim pickens for me over here...minimum drive is going to be two hrs and more than likely 4-5.

 

[BusaDave9]

they def. have some different shackles on there too so maybe that's why it is so high.

Yes long shackles could add a little but since an SOA gives 6 inches of lift that should be plenty. No manufacturer makes a 6 inch spring lift for a CJ. Stock shackles are 3 inches. 5 inch shackles give one inch lift since you are only lifting one end of the spring.

I glanced at a couple threads mentioning those yj springs...I think people went to those because they rode smoother. Is that right? I would think being flat that they wouldn't travel as much which might relieve the bounciness of a jeep but wouldn't it be more harsh?

Yes YJ springs are softer. They have less arch but you can still get good articulation.

As far as high steer vs. this z drag link.....are some people just adding in a drag link to reach down to the tie rods? You guys want a diff. pitman arm and the original tie rods flipped or something?

Yes you could add an angled drag link or a dropped pitman arm. These options are not as good as a high steering setup. If the drag link is not close to being horizontal then you will get bump steer. As the suspension compresses the jeep will actually steer to the side.

 

[BusaDave9]

This angle is not good:

But this is better:

 

[jasonmark1993]

Awesome guys thanks...so what is the high steer kit? An extension on top of the knuckle where the tie rod attaches?

1974 cj5 jeep crawler

cj5 jeep crawler

Theres a couple diff. ads the lady has posted. I can see a new brake line running across the rear axle. I asked why diff had been off and she said just for a service.

Do you guys agree that there is a newer shackle there on the pic from the back?

Just sucks this is four hours away.......

You know it might just be the back the has a shackle and looks high to me. Seems like most jeeps sit a little low in the rear..which I actually like and it will be better for what I want to do. What do you guys think?

I also need to be able to fit it in my garage.

 

[BusaDave9]

so what is the high steer kit.

It's also called a tie rod flip. Normally the steering linkage is mounted under the steering knuckle arm. A tie rod kit put the steering linkages on the top side of the steering knuckle arm. The steering knuckle arm has a tapered hole for the tie rod ends to come up from the bottom. You will have to reverse the taper. You can get inserts to do that. Check out this link.
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/tie-rod-flip-10552/

 

[CJ]

kinda disaagree. Umm... A high steer relocates the linkages to the top of the knuckle... A flip relocates the linkages to the top of the standard location.

 

[Old Dog]

The top pic that Dave posted has high steer arms on it.(although the drag link should be like the bottom jeep has)(I think the bottom one also has high steer knuckles but I can't see it well enough to be sure) If you look you can see the steer arms are mounted to the top of the knuckles not to the center of the knuckles as your stock jeep would have. Fliping the tie rods and drag link doesn't work with a spring over.

 

[Old Dog]

Thoes shackles are way long on that jeep, I'd be changing them if I bought it.

 

[Old Dog]

Heres an example of a z type drag link (theres others but I found this one first) you DO NOT want anything that looks anything like this.

 

[jasonmark1993]

Holy that was ugly!

Ok I think Im getting that a high steer kit actually replaces the factory knuckles and the new tie rod end mounting position is significantly higher than the stockers...right?

RE the shackles....that rear one looked nice and shiny didn't it? That and the rear was actually higher than the front.

 

[Old Dog]

Holy that was ugly!

Ok I think Im getting that a high steer kit actually replaces the factory knuckles and the new tie rod end mounting position is significantly higher than the stockers...right?.

Right, whole different knuckle. Heres a couple pix. one with a factory chevy steer arm mounted and one with just the studs and no steer arm. they are both chevy 44 knuckles which also have the mid mounting arm also.

 

[jasonmark1993]

Sweet thanks guys.

Ill see if I can get some pictures of the front end on the way.