What to do with my springs

What should I do with my springs.

I just ordered a new CV style drive shaft for my '73. And . . .
With the new shaft I will need to change my pinion angle. And . . .
With the new pinion angle I will need to move my spring perches.
Now I find that I have some problems with my rear springs (not surprising . . . they're original with two added leafs).

So here is my dilemma:
I've wanted to go to SOA on this Jeep but didn't really plan to do that now.
But when I do I'll have to move my perches again (I don't plan on changing axles) and I'll have to pay to have the new shafts re-tubed.

So do I use the old springs, buy new and stay spring under or go for broke and do the whole SOA now?

 

I personally would just buy new springs, lift springs if you want them, and keep it SUA to save all the other fab work. The rear wouldn't be that bad, especially since you're already getting CV shafts, but the front you not only get into having to have the CV shaft, but you have to figure out your steering issues.

However........if you ever plan on going SOA, I'm a firm believer in doing the work once, instead of wasting your time, so you would be better off doing that now instead of having to do more cutting and welding on that axle tube later on.

 

X2 on this one, but remember that if you go SOA on the rear now, you'll need to find a way to lift the front right away as a 4 to 5 inch rake on a CJ5 may be tough to live with R)

 

Also you have to worry about axle wrap and configure a tork bar of somekind with the springover. You have a 360, right? My vote is for sua. Less headaches.

 

Looks like "choice B" has a healthy lead!

 

personally I would stay spring under. You also have to ask youself...how much are you willing to spend,fabricate, do I NEED to go SOA, would I be just as happy w/ a susp. lift, how cool is my wife?R) Looking at the poll it seems that many others may feel the same. Ultimately it's your decision, you have to drive the results. I have heard nothing but good stuff about SOA and would like to do it myself but I also believe you can have too much rig. Just my $0.02.

 

I'm SOA. It kicks some butt off road. If i were to do it again I'd switch to wrangler leaf packs while in the process, for a supposedly super flexy ride.

BUT, starting from the same point as i did, for the sake of simplicity, i'd also put some serious consideration into just using a SUA lift kit.

The SOA flexes great, and isnt totally un-livable on road, but its not the best if you do alot of street driving.

If you're up for a challenge, and want a great trail performer, SOA is the way to go. If you want to keep some semblance of road manners, and want all the hard stuff already figured out for you, go with the lift kit.

 

I'm gettin' it . . . . You guys think I should hold off on the SOA!

Maybe I'll just stitch the perches on with some SUA springs and save the project for later.

BTW, my Jeep is 90%+ off road (might have to get gas or that occasional warm Friday may get the best of me) . . . It's a bit of a challenge to drive on the street already. The headers and glass-pack exhaust is a bit loud (I always get "that look" from cops) . . . The brakes are . . . well .. . Jeep brakes . . . And it just has the sun cloth top . . .

 

SUA and Wrangler width lift springs give you good articulation and decent road manners. Mine is mostly off-road too, but it is street legal and can be driven to and from the trail heads without any problems.

 

I'm pretty happy with the flex and the lift from my 4" Superlift SUA leaf springs.

 

Wow!
I went into this poll thinking that SUA would be the winner . . . especially under my circumstances . . . but I never expected these results . . . 100% SUA!

 

If it makes any difference, I might be interested in your old springs.

 

Dan? . . . . Tell me that BMW is photoshop'd into your avatar pic'!!!