Soa ?

[ksouthw80]

Hey, is there anyone out there that has installed the rocky-road soa kit? Please forgive me if this is old news but ive searched the forum and I did not find my answers. Also please keep in mind I'm a seasoned mechanic with a shop at home and if I dont have what I need I have it at work. I actually owned a soa 79 CJ7 ,AMC 304 ,999 auto ,Dana 300 sticked with frt/rear 44s. It was a late highschool family thing..... ( oh ,after trial and error , it rode very well. drove it 4 years on and off road. 17 years later I came across my 78. That being said I like the thought of bolt/on VS. welding. I have enough of that to do. Honestly Im not sure how much off roading I'll do but then again ,the bug hit me once before... Serious , Has anyone installed this kit and been unsatisfied. It looks legit to me but you guys are obviously in the game. Thanks for any input.

 

[Old Dog]

I don't know anyone who has that kit, but welding sounds way safer to me and not that much work to weld on 4 perches.

 

[harleydragon]

I don't know anyone who has that kit, but welding sounds way safer to me and not that much work to weld on 4 perches.

agreed

 

[Sam5038]

I installed their 3.5" sua kit. I'm very happy with it. I bolt it on then weld the brackets. I also notice their medium duty springs are really soft if you have a large winch on the front. Get the heavy duty springs.

 

[Scooter402]

I'd also say weld-on perches. It's adding a boat-load of torsional load to the springs/perches just by moving the axle under the spring. I hear you on the fair share of welding -- I'm a certified welder, so I get PLENTY of it at work. Honestly, I love it when I get to break out the welder at home. At work, yeah, it's work. At home, it's fun.

 

[ksouthw80]

I do agree with the minor welding, not having the kit in hand I haven't thought that far ahead. I have 33x12.50's so I'm thinking of starting with that. I really cant drive it much over 50 because it has "like" 10" shackles.. LOL but SERIOUSLY! Hey but I have a good V8 based jeep, so I'm happy. I have considered 4" springs and shackles but I really want to run 36's in the end... Like to think I'm in the fun part of life for a minute. Thanks guys , appreciated.

 

[ksouthw80]

By the way I have only drove it to work once and in neighborhood couple of times. The way it is lifted being the issue. SPRING around the corner. I have lots of to do's , but I MUST drive it in the spring...

 

[harleydragon]

I have never seen that kit but I'm guessing that the perches clamp on..if so then put it on then drive it to make sure the perches are set like you want them...then if you don't have a welder you could get someone else to run some quick beads on the perches

 

[Old Dog]

here's a link to the kit. CJ Spring Over: 1955-76 CJ Spring Over Axle (SOA) Kits

IMO that Z shaped draglink is not the correct way to address the steering
so that part of the kit would be useless to me.

 

[ksouthw80]

I agree with both of you.. put it together, test ,then weld.. Yes, I do plan to do their upgraded steering kit ,not the zlink.. I need to look at the kit better myself. I am going thru the jeep , upgrading like i'm "gonna do something" lol, but it seems to me like a good set up.. OH!. I'm not as savy with a computer as being a mechanic, I'm still looking for a pic of the brace to weld on a 20 axle. will fab but i'd like to see an example.

 

[harleydragon]

I agree with both of you.. put it together, test ,then weld.. Yes, I do plan to do their upgraded steering kit ,not the zlink.. I need to look at the kit better myself. I am going thru the jeep , upgrading like i'm "gonna do something" lol, but it seems to me like a good set up.. OH!. I'm not as savy with a computer as being a mechanic, I'm still looking for a pic of the brace to weld on a 20 axle. will fab but i'd like to see an example.

I'm not trying to change your mind on your axles but just thought I would mention this,I love chevy axles up under a jeep.Especially 1 ton axles.The width of a full size axle adds stability plus I personally love the way they look.Plus,especially the 1 tons are much more heavy duty..here is one of my green CJ7 with 1 tons and my white with 1/2 tons..

 

[Old Dog]

I have a good V8 based jeep, I really want to run 36's in the end..

Harley might have a good point. A SOA with a V8 and 36" tires are going to be very hard on a Dana 30 and AMC20 . With chevy axles (44's or 60's) you can run flat top knuckles with high steer arms (not the goofy ones they sell in that kit) and the spring perches will already be set up for SOA. If you don't want all the width you can narrow them to what ever width you want.
You will also need to make a anti warp bar for the rear to keep the springs and driveshaft in one piece, no matter what axle you run.

 

[ksouthw80]

Ok, I'm in need of help to make a logical decision.. Please deal with me a minute.I've looked at RE's weld on SOA kit, I can weld but I'm not really wanting to get into all of the other things involved right now. ( Please know my kids are really wanting to ride in the jeep this spring). That being said here is what I think are my 2 best options even if I change later or add on. (also the jeep is very unsafe with the over doing of the shackle lift as it sits.) 1ST OPTION. Rocky roads soa lift with shocks and the zbar steering(steering part for now),my original springs(who knows the shape ,but they are original,Currie stock size shackles, and new spring bushings. Oh and their rear spring hangars.. If I do this I will go with the OTT sterring and wrangler conversion later with all new springs... Option #2 superlift 4" springs and ubolts only, new frt and rear shocks, daystar 2" greasable shackles frt/rear,drop pit arm, extended brake hoses, steering stabilizer. And some boots for shocks/ stabilizer.
Option 1 est cost-985.00 option 2 est cost-797.00.... both shipped. May can find better prices just doing the basic search for now. Also know I found a truss design for the 20 axle I like and am doing one piece axles with a gear. Front 30 getting work too. I have lots of plans like twin stick case and all. Been out of it a minute ... WHAT SHOULD I DO? OH, I'm gonna be running 33x 1250's for at least part of summer but wanna go bigger... If I'm way off with this plan please let me know... Biggers not alway better I know, but to the kids its AWESOME!.. Thanks guys..

 

[ksouthw80]

Old dog and Harleydragon I so hear you.. Thats what I am shooting for maybe next year, gives me time to get it all together.. I would prob narrow the axles tho.

 

[harleydragon]

Old dog and Harleydragon I so hear you.. Thats what I am shooting for maybe next year, gives me time to get it all together.. I would prob narrow the axles tho.

what part of georgia are you located

 

[ksouthw80]

north, Woodstock area.

 

[ksouthw80]

slightly north of ATL

 

[harleydragon]

okay..thought you might be close by and I might could help you out but I am in deep south georgia..I realize you have to do what your time and money allows but it has always been a lot cheaper and easier for me to build it like you want it the first time

 

[ksouthw80]

Thanks man! Still thinking of what to do....

 

[Old Dog]

IMHO If my goal was to run 33's for now and time was short, I would get the 4" lift springs and stock or no more than 1" lift shackles. Than start putting the parts for the SOA together as time and money allowed. For 36's you really need at least Dana 44 's to keep from breaking things. So don't spent to much $ $ on the Dana 30 or AMC20 .