SOA or Suspension Lift

[93bizzleYJ]

Alright,

Just got back from paragon, had an AWSOME time, now its time to figure out what type of lift to put on my 93 YJ 2.5L

Most of the guys out at Paragon said SOA is the way to go, but then most people around here do suspension lifts. What's the pros/cons of each and how much will the SOA lift run me. Otherwize I was looking at doing a 3.5in suspension lift, haven't decided which one yet.

Any input would be great, lookin to run 32s on whatever lift I get because of my nice 2.5 engine.

Thanks

Brian

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

You can clear the 32" tires with a 3.5" suspension lift. Rusty's Offroad has a nice inexpensive 3.5" YJ kit.

The SOA will give you about 5.5" of lift, which sounds like more than what you are looking for. I wouldn't raise the center of gravity any higher than what's really needed.

The SOA will flex better, which is good if you plan on sticking with open differentials. The flatter springs used in the SOA have a large range of travel, they have more droop than the arched springs in a lift kit.

If you have lockers, then articulation isn't as much of a factor, as you can carry a wheel off the ground and still maintain forward momentum. Not so with open diffs.

 

[Snitty]

Re: LIFT INSTALL HELP ME!!!

i'm a fan of the SOA.. but if you do that... you'll have to be willing to sacrifice a bunch of "onroad habits" for the offroad improvement... it is safe if done right, it is very effective, and is not really expensive... i prefer it over a spring lift any day

 

[erhild]

Since the day I got my Jeep I was going to do an SOA, but I finally decided on a straight suspension lift... It's a daily driver and the axle wrap feeling would eventually grate onmy nerved... But that is just a personal preference... =)

 

[TwistedCU]

SOA will require some additional mods, too. Like a new driveshaft and a SYE(slip yoke eliminator). Another advantage to a 3.5 kit is the ease of install (no welding) and a good one will come with everything you need - all designed to work as a matched system leaving driveline vibration and front end wobble a lot less likely. One other thing to consider is the condition of your stock springs.

-TC

 

[Joopin]

I'm in the middle of an soa for my 91, currently collecting parts and rebuilding a dana 44 rear. The soa will give you the most lift for your money, but look ahead to what your finished product should look like. I was going to start with an soa with 33s but now I'm up to 35s with a dana 44 in the rear, add a leafs... I don't regret it, but its still more than I originally planned on. If all you want is 32s for tires, they would look waay small under a spring over... perhaps you should just get a small suspention lift then you wont need to get a new shaft, etc....

 

[Tug-n-pull]

I last went with the 3.5" Rough Country Lift from FollowMyRutz.com and was very pleased with it all and had no diverse reactions from my drive lines. This was on a 4 banger and I went up to 31's and that was a real strain on my little engin. 5th gear was lost forever or at least untill a re gearing came my way. I was looking into a SOA but that would have just been to much expence to do correctly so that route was just not for me. Good Luck in your choice tug

 

[jps4jeep]

If you do both types of lifts, and do the correctly, and do all the labor your self (which means you can weld, and have all the tools neccessary to do the job, the SOA in only slightly cheaper (add price for bigger tire, new rims, longer Brake lines, CV drive shaft, SYE, gears to move those bigg ass meats) Now lets say you don't have a welder, grinder, oxy/acc torch or plasma cutter, and the mindset to cut things off your rig and re weld things such as perches for the springs and shocks, now that SOA got really expensive! (whether you buy the tools or have some one do the work) With a kit like Rusty's of rough country, everything in included, springs shocks, everything. You do not neccessary need longer brake lines! With 32-11.5-15's you can safely mount those on a factory 15x7 rim (you have 15x6 brian but I have a set of 15x7 I can sell you cheap) or go with 31's on your 15x6's, doesn't require any real specialty tools other than a pitman arm puller which is dirt cheap ($10) and a torque wrench ($ depends) I was going to do a SOA for a long time, went with traditional lift, and love it, allows me to drive 400 miles to paragon and 400 miles back safely!