spring over axle conversion?

[cjnewbie]

is there a good thread on here to walk through this swap or has anybody here done one if so what are the tough parts ?

 

[elwood blues]

If you do plan on doing a soa, here's a list of things to think about,

you will need:
spring pads (30ish year old springs might as well replace them too)
axle pack center bolts
shock mounts (possibly upper and lower especially in the front)
brake lines (at least 6" extended over stock)
drive shafts (preferrable double cardin both front and rear to prevent binding)
high steer kit (something to move the tie rods to the top of the axle knuckles)
drop pitman arm (again 4-6")
possibly a longer drag link (it's going to have to be moved so it doesn't hit the drop pitman arm)
gonna have to do something to correct front axle caster angle (cut steering yoke from axle realign to correct angle and reweld)
If you have a V8 you're probably going to need traction/tortion bars for the rear axle (to control axle wrap/wheel hop)

I think that about covers it.

So, why do you really want to do a springover?

***most, okay almost all, of this information came from Willie's Workbench January 2010 issue of Four Wheeler mag***

 

[cjnewbie]

wow it sounded so easy at first LOL i am just trying to get 4 more inches of lift and thought that would be an easy way to get there but maybe just a lift kit will be better

 

[elwood blues]

Like I said, I completely plagarized that list from the January 2010 issue of Four Wheeler mag. But I read the article a half a dozen times and I get the sense unless you have the capabilities and facilities at your disposal a spring over lift is a very daunting, difficult project to undertake. You have to remember you are changing the geometry of the suspension, drivetrain and steering systems.

 

[cjnewbie]

ya point well taken like i said in the other thread i realy am just trying to get things working and in ordor right now so the extra lift is a few months away just looking at options i want something diffrent but also strong

 

[elwood blues]

Just call me the voice of reason

 

[BajaEdition]

Elwood that was a good post, so many guys do not know what is totally involved in a spring over, and there are thousands of bad springover jobs out there because at first it looks so simple. I personally do not recomend them as it is easier to do a conventional lift in the long run.
I do know that many love spring overs and if done properly they can be quite a lift. but also they can be damn scary if done wrong.

 

[elwood blues]

Thanks Baja.

I too have seen some really half-assed spring over lifts. And guys wonder why they have wobble at anything above 8 mph and can't engage the front drive shaft with blowing up u-joints... The list could go on and on.

And like I said, none of that list is original thought, I completely plagarized all of it out of last months Four Wheeler mag. I feel that it's good information to put out so everyone understands what kind of an undertaking doing a spring over lift really is.

 

[IOPort51]

Just call me the voice of reason

yes! excellent post.:rock:
voice of reason?:dunno:

 

[Old Dog]

I do know that many love spring overs and if done properly they can be quite a lift. but also they can be damn scary if done wrong.

A good spring over costs more than a reg. lift because there is so much more involved to get it right.

 

[Cheepjeep85]

here is a good right up on SOA by John Nutter at jeeptech.com
CJ Spring Over Axle
and here is a kit i was looking at when i was thinking about doin an soa lift on my jeep
Spring over axle lift for Jeep CJ 5, CJ 6, CJ 7, CJ 8, Scrambler
granted its expensive but if you don't have the tools or know how this seems to be a very well thought out and engineered kit

 

[Colby]

wow it sounded so easy at first LOL i am just trying to get 4 more inches of lift and thought that would be an easy way to get there but maybe just a lift kit will be better

Was thinking the same thing.. Think I'll just go with a 4inch lift kit

 

[LongHorn]

If you do plan on doing a soa, here's a list of things to think about,

you will need:
spring pads (30ish year old springs might as well replace them too)
axle pack center bolts
shock mounts (possibly upper and lower especially in the front)
brake lines (at least 6" extended over stock)
drive shafts (preferrable double cardin both front and rear to prevent binding)
high steer kit (something to move the tie rods to the top of the axle knuckles)
drop pitman arm (again 4-6")
possibly a longer drag link (it's going to have to be moved so it doesn't hit the drop pitman arm)
gonna have to do something to correct front axle caster angle (cut steering yoke from axle realign to correct angle and reweld)
If you have a V8 you're probably going to need traction/tortion bars for the rear axle (to control axle wrap/wheel hop)

I think that about covers it.

So, why do you really want to do a springover?

***most, okay almost all, of this information came from Willie's Workbench January 2010 issue of Four Wheeler mag***

I mostly agree with Elwood, but with the high steer conversion negated the need for a drop pitman at least in my case.

Also I manage with a 6 degree shim on the front axle.
Like I say, she'll do triple digits hands free.

But it ain't the cheap route.