SPRING OVER ON AN 82 CJ 7
- Thread starter FiCJeep
- Start date
Joopin
Super Moderator
Well the average lift you get from a SOA is about 5.5 - 6 inches... but if you use 3" lift springs I would assume your lift is going to be 8" or more. The things you need to take care of with a lift like this are: extending the brake lines, installing a SYE and a CV driveshaft, and relocating the front track bar. Not to mention the "small stuff" like getting longer shocks, welding on perches and shock mounts, bleeding the brakes... Some may say you don't need a SYE but the rule of thumb is to install one with a lift over 4" i think... you may be doubling that so I think it would be a good idea.
One thing that concerns me is your 3" lift springs... are they CJ springs or YJ springs? The YJ springs are wider than the CJ springs and I would assume better for a SOA setup. I have never seen an SOA with CJ springs used but who knows it may be possible. I would just be worried about getting a negative arch after the spring over. The fact that they are lift springs may remedy that though.
Cost estimate:
SOA kit (RE) - 250
SYE and Tom Woods CV shaft - 525
new shocks - 125 or more
New tires to fill the cavern of space - ??
Regearing axles - 200 or more per axle
Able to go anywhere you Dang well please... priceless.
By the way I love my SOA...
hope this helps.
Joop
One thing that concerns me is your 3" lift springs... are they CJ springs or YJ springs? The YJ springs are wider than the CJ springs and I would assume better for a SOA setup. I have never seen an SOA with CJ springs used but who knows it may be possible. I would just be worried about getting a negative arch after the spring over. The fact that they are lift springs may remedy that though.
Cost estimate:
SOA kit (RE) - 250
SYE and Tom Woods CV shaft - 525
new shocks - 125 or more
New tires to fill the cavern of space - ??
Regearing axles - 200 or more per axle
Able to go anywhere you Dang well please... priceless.
By the way I love my SOA...
hope this helps.
Joop
Hey all, Check this site out
http://www.panther4x4.com/
This is a guy I wheel with and he had a cj7 with a SOA with factory cj springs now has a cj8 that is SOA, but I think it is with YJ springs.
http://www.panther4x4.com/
This is a guy I wheel with and he had a cj7 with a SOA with factory cj springs now has a cj8 that is SOA, but I think it is with YJ springs.
the CJ7 was recycled into the CJ8. The frame on the 7 was junk and the body was far beyond repair, so it all got swapped over. this pic was taken the day he drove the 8 home. about 2 months after swapping everything over, he got in a bad accident and had to replace the frame on the 8. The cj pack were not carried over though. They worked but spring wrap was a definate issue. The YJ springs are the way to go.
redrooster
New member
Your 3" lift springs are going to look huge at first then start to flatten out after a few months. The YJ springs are better to use in the front because they are wider than the front CJ springs. You'll have to swap out hangers and shackles to convert.
CJ's don't have trac bars and slip yokes so don't worry about that.
The big issue is that you are going to have a monster lift and will want monster tires too. Will your axles be up to the challenge? Yes, is you are just cruising in it. Probably not if you are going to trail ride it.
You are going to have to look back and research this topic to see what all is required. It's more than just setting the springs on top and re welding the perches.
You have to consider driveline angles, spring wrap, steering and shocks.
SOA is the way to go, just do a little homework first.
CJ's don't have trac bars and slip yokes so don't worry about that.
The big issue is that you are going to have a monster lift and will want monster tires too. Will your axles be up to the challenge? Yes, is you are just cruising in it. Probably not if you are going to trail ride it.
You are going to have to look back and research this topic to see what all is required. It's more than just setting the springs on top and re welding the perches.
You have to consider driveline angles, spring wrap, steering and shocks.
SOA is the way to go, just do a little homework first.
redrooster
New member
Negative.. Ghost Rider. Mine never even had a sway bar.
In fact, I really think that they are pointless on Jeeps if you have good set of springs. Granted mine is not a daily driver, but it handles really good on the road. Maybe it's the shackle reversal that has corrected the lack of swaybar.
In fact, I really think that they are pointless on Jeeps if you have good set of springs. Granted mine is not a daily driver, but it handles really good on the road. Maybe it's the shackle reversal that has corrected the lack of swaybar.
ah_too_bad
New member
dont you have to cross over the steering????
I inadvertantly drove with out mine for some time and the steering was a mess! real sloppy!Snitty said:
But My K5 never had a trac bar either and it have great handling, even on 36" tires. I think it has to do woth the wayt he steering is set up. also like rooster said the shackle reversal could also have something to do with it. another idea could be the staggered shocks, my blazers shocks were on opposite sides of the axle tube, front and rear. But I really don't know.
Joopin
Super Moderator
Cross over? you mean a high steer setup? if so, thats an option, but not necessary. The only mods I did to my steering for my soa is a dropped pitman, lengthen the drag link, and relocated the track bar... I guess the CJs don't have track bars though. There's my learnin' for today.
redrooster
New member
I don't know why they so it's a no, no. The YJ's have wider front springs so that should help over the narow CJ springs.
It's a mystery to me. There is no significant suspension change from the CJ to the YJ, so taking the trac bar off should make it ride like a CJ.
Where does the stabilizer mount on a YJ. The one I used to have on the CJ was from the leaf spring mount to the tie rod. If the stabilizer was somehow disconnected from your setup, that may have made it a handful.
It's a mystery to me. There is no significant suspension change from the CJ to the YJ, so taking the trac bar off should make it ride like a CJ.
Where does the stabilizer mount on a YJ. The one I used to have on the CJ was from the leaf spring mount to the tie rod. If the stabilizer was somehow disconnected from your setup, that may have made it a handful.
redrooster
New member
Ok. I was just wondering why it looked like it was angled up on your signature picture.
Some of you YJ guys pull the trac bar off and let me know how it goes.
Some of you YJ guys pull the trac bar off and let me know how it goes.
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