Spring packs...

[Joopin]

I think I'm gonna get 4 new spring packs instead of the AALs foro my SOA. As far as AALs go I read that Rancho AAL last the longest, and don't stiffen the ride at all. Is there a company that makes better spring packs than others? I would like to keep the stock ride and not to make it any stiffer. Thanks

 

[laneiac]

I have Rancho spring packs on my YJ and it is very stiff, really transmits the road through the seat... But could have something to do with shocks... I have heard that Rubicon Express are some of the best springs for SOA, they make a factory replacement and a 1.25 inch lift spring that will get u around 7 inches of lift.

 

[ecor]

BDS makes a 2" spring that is popular for SOA's also and they have a great ride also

 

[Snitty]

keep in mind... if you are doing the soa, no matter what springs you use, you won't have anything close to a stock ride

 

[Joopin]

Snitty, I thought keeping the "stock ride" was one of the benifits of the SOA? So what will be the change in the ride... just curious what I'm in for.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

The spring rate will be the same if you use stock springs, so the ride won't be affected in that aspect. It will change in many other aspects, though.

 

[laneiac]

When you get into SOA, which many of us eventually want to, you start having problems with rear axle wrap and such, minor drawback for some, catastrophe for others...

 

[Snitty]

the only part of the ride that stays the same is when you are going straight, not accelerating, not braking, and moving over nothing more than minor bumps.... offroad will be completely different, steering will be different, acceleration will be different.... that goes for any suspension modifications.... like bounty said, the spring rate is what stays the same... and if you go with a slightly stiffer spring, that will help with axle wrap, and will eventually settle out to a "closer to stock" feel... if you use stock springs, they will eventually fatigue much more

 

[TwistedCU]

Rubicon Express makes a reverse eye spring specifically for the spring over lift, supposed to be excellent for ride quality:

http://www.rubiconexpress.com/dynamic/mainpage.asp?folderid=772

Re1444 & Re1445

 

[Snitty]

a reverse eye makes for a great ride.... but in most cases, you lose the 1.5 inches from that reversal

 

[Joopin]

Yeah I noticed those reverse eye springs, seem kinda steep... and the stock ones they sell, 80 bucks? Is that for EACH pack? 4x80? I sure hope it's for the pair.
As for the steering and stuff being different, can't you remedy some of those things? Steering stablizers for the steering, ladder or traction bar for axle wrap, etc...

 

[laneiac]

boston jeep...question

Remember that when you go SOA your steering components have to be completely relocated, get a good kit or experienced mechanic do to this for you since messing with steering components on a street driven rig can spell disaster if done improperly. Your steering wont necessarily be bad, just different than stock, im not sure how going SOA will affect bump steer, maybe one of the guys can give some input on that. As for the traction bar, it will reduce axle wrap, but is kinda spendy, just one more thing you have to buy. If your going to wheel your rig hard, and I assume you are if your going to the trouble to do an SOA, the traction bar might be a good investment. But like Snitty said a stiffer spring will definetly help, but the ride will be stiffer, so if you dont plan on doing extreme stuff just try the stiffer spring and see how that works. A steering stabilize will only help so much, and mine just slightly corrected wander. I am curious as to what the guys will say about bump steer, i hate bump steer.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Bumpsteer will be non-existant as long as the draglink and front track bar are parallel. You'll have to come up with a way the draglink doesn't hit the passenger side spring pack, a custom bent draglink and dropped pitman arm should do the trick. If I ever go SOA, it will be with stock spring packs +1 stock long leaf, which is what I'm running now SUA for about 1.5" of lift and no change of ride quality or flex.

 

[Joopin]

New bumper

I'm gonna tackle the steering myself... and I think I'm gonna invest in a custom bent draglink like bounty was talking about. As for the tration bar, I am going to make one of those here at the shop, I would be stupid not to since I have access to welders, steel tubing, etc...
And as for the spring packs, I can't see paying 80 bucks per pack so I am going for the AALs after all.

 

[laneiac]

Must be nice to have access to that stuff, I could dream up a whole list of things I would craft up for my jeep. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

 

[TwistedCU]

Yeah I noticed those reverse eye springs, seem kinda steep... and the stock ones they sell, 80 bucks? Is that for EACH pack? 4x80? I sure hope it's for the pair.

Nope, that's each. You probably can get them a little cheaper than Rubi's site, just have to shop around. Try www.Mad4wd.com or www.Mesa 4x4.com, I know they're both dealers. The reverse eye springs should give you both a better ride and more flex/wheel travel than a factory style spring, and might be worth the extra $$$

As far as losing the 1.5", they claim to lift 1.5", and that's including the reverse eye.

 

[Snitty]

it is quite easy to make your own bent drag link.... we did one by bending 1" pipe and welding on tie rod fittings

 

[Joopin]

Hey snitty, could I just add a bent piece onto the stock one? Does that see alot of stress that would break even a good weld? A single piece drag link would be ideal probably though, good idea, I may use that!

 

[Snitty]

when we welded it... we cut the stock link, we cut about 6 inches off each end ... then we stuck about 4 inches inside the new pipe we bent... then we welded around the outter end.... we decided that wasn't enough... so we cut 3 V shaped grooves down the 4" length of the mating pipes, then filled them in with weld.... i don't doubt its strentgh for 1 second