SOA how bad?

SOA how bad?
S

sandtoy

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Delco PA
As stated in my intro my son has just purchased an 86 project jeep.

It runs and most everything seems to work at least. The jeep included an SOA kit by Rocky Roads Outfitters. Sorry if I cannot say vendors names here and please delete.

It is in buckets and a box and the previous owner claims it is all there. Will find out soon enough.

Questions:
1. Just how difficult is this to install? I have installed the lifts on my Toyotas and my JK. OME Spring. Is this beyond home mechanic capability?

2. What else am I going to have to get into. Shafts, ect...

3. Would it be better to sell and go with a shorter lift. I know he wants higher.

Any and all info would be great.

Receipts show this thing to be expensive just not sure if it is going to be more trouble than value.

Rich
 
Ive always had spring under axle lifts myself. Let your son know that higher is not nessacarily better. The more you lift the Jeep the higher your center of gravity is , making it more top heavy. Everyone wants big old meats right out of the box. All that will do is blow up other parts of the drivetrain and / or leave you under powered. 4 in. of lift and some fender trimming can net you 35s which is already above the capabilities of your stock axles. That said s.o.a. lifts do tend to flex better. Will you do the welding yourself? Longer brake lines , longer driveshafts and shocks come to mind. Your probably going to have to modify all your steering geometry as well. Empty your "box" of parts and see what all you have.
 
I took a look at rockys site and I don't think that there is and welding need according to the write up. You might want to look at the site and read through the spec.
I am getting ready to start the spring over on mine but I designed all the parts myself. All the fun starts tomorrow.
 
What about the spring perches??
2lostspace said:
I took a look at rockys site and I don't think that there is and welding need according to the write up.
Click to expand...
 
They look to wrap all the way around the axle and set on the old ones. I dont know if I like that I would still weld them.
 
If the kit you have is his one -->> Spring over axle lift for Jeep CJ 5, CJ 6, CJ 7, CJ 8, Scrambler You are supposedly good to go. It is all bolt on. It looks like it includes every thing you will need right down to the brake lines extensions, Transmission drop kit, steering system and even shock relocators. It's a very thorough kit.
The only thing that worries me is drive shaft extension when underfull compression or rebound, but it looks like they have done their home work.

What about the spring perches??
Click to expand...
Pretty ingenious how they get around that... :) See the attached pics...
 

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I just went andchecked it out as well. Looks like a pretty well thought out design. But like CJ, I question the DS lengths to be at all safe. I can't see how they would fall within specs with that kind of lift.
 
sandtoy said:
The jeep included an SOA kit by Rocky Roads Outfitters. Sorry if I cannot say vendors names here and please delete.
Click to expand...
Just thought I would say something about this, anyone is free to discuss any vendor or item here as long as it is a civil discussion... After all, that is what a discussion forum is all about! :)
 
Just found these two notes at the very bottom of their page...


  • [SIZE=+1][SIZE=+1]Front driveshaft may need to be lengthened[/SIZE][/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1][SIZE=+1]Rear CV type drive shaft may be required as with any lift at or over 4" for the CJ[/SIZE][/SIZE]
So you most likely will need to do some mods on the drive shafts...
 
The idea of a bolt on s.o.a sounded scary , but doesnt really look all that bad. :)
 
Is this kit more than 4inc lift? If it is I would watch the drive line angles, I would measure the angles first before you start so you have some type of idea what they should be when it goes together. I think that I read that the rear perches rotate the rear pinion up if it does not I would look into getting some wedges for that.
 
I did the SOA on my son's 77 CJ5 without a kit. I have access to a machine shop so I simple broke up some new perches, set them on the axle, lowered the jeep on top, adjusted for 4 deg negative caster then tack welded the perchs, pulled it out from under the jeep and fully welded them.

If you do it yourself, you'll need the perches ($18 a set at 4-wheel parts) and tools. One thing I would suggest is installing a sway bar it doesn't have one. If it has one you'll have to make some short arm links. Make sure you have bump stops in place. We didn't and noticed that right away.

Myself I am not to crazy about a bolt on SOA, I haven't seen the kit, but in my mind I picture one of those failed photo's you see all the time where it flex and didn't stay lined up.

Ok, now my 84 CJ7 has a Procom 4" spring lift SUA, with a 1.5" shackle lift and a 2" body lift. I made the shackles myself out of 3/8" plate. While the CJ7 right stiffer, I really like the way it handles on the trail and the road. I am not running a sway bar on the CJ7 and don't have the body roll that many of my freinds do witht eh SOA. The spring lift kit 4 years ago was $450 and it came with the springs, steel braided brake hoses, and the Transfer Case lowering plates. I measured the jeep when the springs were installed and 4 years later they haven't sagged.

I know confusing, all I can say is that if I didn't have the money to buy springs I would go SOA. My SUA out performs many of the SOA rigs I wheel with.
 
If you decide you do not want to go with the soa lift, pm me with a price and i might buy it. Not trying to sway your decision, but if you decide the soa isn't for you, you could recoup some money.
 
The Buzzards are circling. :laugh: Just goofin.
projectcrawler said:
If you decide you do not want to go with the soa lift, pm me with a price and i might buy it. Not trying to sway your decision, but if you decide the soa isn't for you, you could recoup some money.
Click to expand...
 
I'm not a Buzzard. I am just cheap and always looking for a free or cheap meal. O, wait a minute. I retract my last sentence!:D I would delete it, but the delete button is broken on this used computer I bought.
 
That is funny:notworthy:! I think as if it were horse trading. There is a delete button on the computer?
 
Thanks for all the great info provided. I am not sure what we are doing lthough tomorrow I am laying out all the parts and I do believe it is all there.

Will keep ya posted as to our progress

Thanks again
 
I have to say I'm not to crazy over to bolt on idea either and that drag link looks scary to me. I'm sure you will need longer driveshafts as mine really need to be longer and I only have a 4in lift. Good luck what ever way you go.
 
Plan on doing a SOA set up on mine do to money issues and I have the ability to do it. For a bolt on SOA set up that actually looks pretty well designed, look forward to seeing it installed and hearing how well it works.

If I can thread jack here:
To those running SOA set ups a couple questions:
-what drag link are you running?
-where did you set your pinion angle?
-how bout drive shaft angles, where is best?
-what did you use to check caster, where did you set it? (I see 4 Degrees Neg in Cweed post)
-any other suggestions??

THANKS GUYS!! I value your experience greatly!!:notworthy:
 
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