leaf over axle conversion
 

Is it much work to put the leaf springs over the axles ? What will have to be done to do this,and is there a section here that will give me any info on this.
Pro's and con's.
It looks like there is some lift on the YJ because the springs are more arched and extra springs and there is 31's on it now. I dont know what the P/O did to it.

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

Il put it this way if you think on saving money buy doing a soa, you might be in for a surprise. I have my yj Soa and I personally think that if your only going to do mud and use it as a trailerqueen and not a dayly driver, its worth it. “SOA” can be a real hassle and even dangerous when going over 60kmph and not mentioning the wired steering problems ill give you if you don’t do it right. And you have to figerout a way to get somekind of sway bar installed orels your leaf spring will twist and worp.

When I bout my jeep it was already Soa converted with the stock leaf springs….Way to soft, to the point of lousing my rear driveshaft even with a 3inch lowered transfer case (stock slipyok fell out ), I ended up buying 2.5inch rubriconexpres leaf springs that are way harder than the stock. But having no swaybar sherly doesn’t help.

I could go on probably fore a page with the troubles of soa, But if u Ented only to use it as an offroad platform its grate.

By the way I swapped my axles and u have to give the rear one a serten degree of +angel to help the slipyok or get a slipyok eliminator.

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

Ive heard alot of negative stuff about SOA. Makes me nervous

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

I did a spring over axle in my 88 Samurai and it worked great. I bought the kit from Rocky Road Outfitters. It was the 6.5" kit and I used 3/4" con fer shackles. I removed the front sway bar and never looked back! This past weekend I bought a 89 YJ and will be installing the Rocky Road 6.5" SOA in the next month. I always used my suzuki as a daily driver. On the hi-way the samurai worked great as well. I never used a trailer for it. Done right they work very well.

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

a buddy did it spring over along with a 3 in body lift so all in toll hes ard 7 in which is well he tries to avoid running on a windy day, hes also not connected at either end which doesn't help to much for saleability either. If you keep it reasonable and DON'T add a body lift to it you should be okay.

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

been driving my YJ with the SOA for 6 years now and was driving 70km a day the main thing you got to do is put in add-a-laefs in all 4 springs packs

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

ya if tehre is anyone to talk to about sprung over jeeps scooby DAH man

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

umm i think the main think for the bump steer is get a proper high steer that moves the steering above the axles back in its stock "location"

and yeah scoobs jeeps rides fine... had a faint skunk smell but it could have just been my jacket

dont for get longer brake lines, and drive shaft might need a spacer..

im doing a spring over on a set of toyota axles in a samurai.. ill post some pics when im doing that part... im using all new perches and shock mounts on the rear axle, and a kit that welds on the factory perch on the front. also went with u bolt flip kit that gets your u bolts outta harms way and pointing towards the truck body.. im going to be using yj springs in the springs/summer when i can go full high steer and afford some big boy tires..


so point of my whole rambing... research every mod a million times and look at a million buildups.. better to do choices that you can do once.. and not have to respend money.. alot can be done on the cheap if you can follow directions!

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

ya if ya need i got pics of the the hole biuld

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

i had the same train of thought as BigT, i am looking to do a Soa setup, been researching builds and deciding on parts, but i only want to do this once and not have to redo everything when each part is added, so i am assuming i should be putting in that ford 8.8, SYE kit, CV Shaft, and all the gearing conversions on all at the same time.
I got a bit of work ahead of me, i better keep collecting the parts.

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

ya do it once i've done around 15 SOA jeeps now and can do it in a weekend but the main thing is having all the parts and all the parts in good shape

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

is there any mystery parts i will need that i am not thinking of that will come up once i get started?
I dont totally understand how to get the steering setup with the SOA, isnt the leafspring going to be in the way of the track bar and the linkage parts?

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

when you installed the rocky road kit did you find it was complete. And also where did you pick it up from did you have to order it from us and pay customes. Cause man where i as there is like one performance shop and it kinda sucks they dont have a clue. I like when i can go to a shop and they know more than me. And i dont know much you know what i mean. I really like the look of that kit thou. And yes i realize you lose a inch of clearance from installing a bolt on kit. But it seems like they really thought this thing out and it will be a faster install than me fabricating everything by trail and error. and they supply alot of extra goodys for the soa lift as well. Anyways Im in northern quebec right now 2 hours north of quebec city (im not french) in the canadain forces and posted here anyways. looking for a good place to order all my gear in canada.

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

OH also does anyone know a place in canada that makes custome cv shafts kinda like tom woods.

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

Most Drive shaft shops can make them, but they will cost you large.

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

if you have mecanical skills , do it !

I have dana 44`s on my jeep + SOA ....
main problem is get a double joint rear drive shaft so you can give upward angle to your rear yoke .....
second problem to adress is: steering linkage ... I did an S shape in my main rod .

front leaf spring perch pad has to be welded parrallel to the old one to keep your positive caster .....rear ones can be welded at about 12 deg to bring the pinion upwards .
I drive 100 kms a day , been done 11 years ago , never had a problem since .

and i drive at 120 km/hr .....

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

Sorry for going off topic here bigdan but do you run 35 inch tires with your set up and does the quebec police give you a hard time for being that high? cause i want to go SOA 2.5 springs and 35's. Also if you have 35's you dont know the measurment to the top of your roof by any chance. i need it to fit in my garage. thanks

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

I never got bothered by police yet ! but then ,my jeep is in great shape, i run 8'' wide rims so that wheels dont protude .....I went all over the place ( sept-iles tadoussac etc...)


it's around 7'4'' tall ......

and I'm french! lolllll

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

so is it done yet??

Re: leaf over axle conversion
 

Gleddy would be best to do it all at once but SYE, brake lines, shocks, steering, and axles for sure. Gears and lockers could be done anytime.

That is my winter project 92 YJ to SOA with D60 front and D70rear with 38's. Still need SYE and driveshafts.