Lift- axles below the springs?

My mechanic buddy suggested a cheap way to do a lift on our '74 CJ-5. He said he could relocate the axles below the leaf-springs.

Has anyone done this? How much lift would it create and would it cause any problems?

 

Thank you Patrick.

 

Why can't I use the word "over" in my search. when I search "spring over" my results I only get results with the word "spring". The results page says, "The following words are either very common, too long, or too short and were not included in your search: over"

 

Here you go...

http://www.google.com/search?source...63US363&q=jeep+cj+spring+over+axle+conversion

Rich

 

Put quotation marks around “spring over”, just like that, and it makes the search engine look for that phrase instead of the individual words.

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/search.php?searchid=955358

 

Also try "soa" or "soa conversion" which is common terminology for Spring Over Axle

It ain't cheap if it's done properly.

 

and if it ain't done properly, at best its a pain, at worst..dangerous.

 

I commend you for asking this question - you are at the right place.
Much emphasis should be placed on what nickmil and Davidleontruet said above.
Make sure you understand all the suspension, brake and steering requirements to do this modification properly! There simply is not a cheap way to make this modification and have a safe, roadworthy vehicle.

 

Cheap and SOA shouldn't be used in the same sentence.

I did an SOA on my YJ. Yeah its pretty trivial to cut off the perches and weld new ones on top of the axle, but then you have to deal with steering, brake lines, anti-wrap solution for the rear axle, etc.

I probably spent about $1700 doing mine, with me doing all the labor & welding. And that doesn't include the bigger set of tires I put on afterwards and I also reused my stock springs.

If I had to do it again I'd probably just have stayed spring-under unless I wanted to run 37" or bigger tires. I'm running 34's on it now and I feel its probably a little too much lift for that size tire.

 

As stated above. I'm almost done with a soa using new Wrangler no-lift springs with Chevy flatop knuckles (the right way to do the steering) and I'll be into it for just under $2,000 doing all the labor myself. Of course you can cheap out and do the "S" shaped draglink, but why?

 

I can't figure out how you guys are spending so much? I can see maybe with new leaf springs, stearing box, brake lines, perches, knuckles, hubs, shocks, ect. but most of that stuff could be sourced through the p.n.p.. Does any one have an itemized list? just for curiousitys sake?

 

I've done it cheaper on my 68 CJ and my YJ. Steering is where it can be the biggest hang up on price in my experience.

Perches 4 - $60
Ubolts- $50
Shocks- $150
Brake lines- $40
Anti Wrap Bar kit $230
Drop Pitman Arm $100

So a little over $500 to do it decent. Could save money in several areas depending on your fab skills. I built my anti wrap bar for around $70 dollars with jonny joints and its more heavy duty than the kits out there by far.

The best way to do steering is to probably run Dana 44 knuckles with high steer arms with custom built tie rods. Which probably would run at least $500 dollars normally.

35 inch tires is pretty much the breaking point. 35 and smaller run SUA 35 and bigger run SOA.

My yj is a whole another story on cost.
RE spring over leafs- $400
Brake lines $50
Perches- $50
Anti-Wrap- $70
Dana 60 high steer arms with spacers- $300
Ubolts- $50
Shocks- $200
Tie rods- $40 in tubing, $20 dollars in tube adapters- Tie rods ends- $140
So probably about $1300 dollars wrapped up in that.

 

I was thinking that those might have been high but lets see.

High steer: $375
full add: $220
total: don't want to be cheap here: $595
http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/new/detaproduct.php?id=173

We'll say you have flattop knuckle already
drill knuckles: $45 x 2 = $90
http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/new/detaproduct.php?id=191

spring pads: $28 x 2 = $56
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Mopar-Replacement-Leaf-Spring-Perch-2.5-Wide-p-363.html

custom rear CV driveshaft: ~$300 (probably low)

brakelines: ~$100+
This can be pieced together through speedway parts, special order for your rig will be more.

New springs: $400
or at least new bushings for old springs: $50

shocks: $128, this is the low end
http://www.4wheelerssupply.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/1727

Well I'm seeing just at $1000, being you have a good welder, grinder bla bla bla.
or closer to $1300 with new springs.
and I'm sure something is missing like shock tabs or towers for longer travel ummmm, nothing else is coming right now but $1500-2k is a pretty easy target depending on quality of parts used.

 

Well those prices look legit, I'll be doing mine next month and I'll do a price list and see where I come in at... Thanks for the help... Sorry I kinda took over this tread I hope the other guy got the answers he was looking for also.

 

Make sure if you do this and do the high steer you have the knuckles drilled, tapped, and MACHINED as well. That gives a flat spot for the arm to sit on and sets the correct angle for the arm. Lots of people skip that part and end up with problems like nuts coming loose, sheared studs, etc. Of course if you start with a GM flat top driver's side knuckle it's already machined. DO NOT USE BOLTS to hold the arms in place. Use proper studs, cones, and locking nuts unless you want problems. Seen it time and time again.

 

On the high steer arms, we drilled the knuckles out for 5/8 studs, and just used wheel lug nuts on top since they have the taper. Probably stronger than stock, and the nuts haven't come loose.

 

Then theres guys like me that pay $500 for the entire Jeep cause the project that cost $5000 to build never gets finished and the wife gives up on it and says to sell it.

 

I gotcha beat... Got mine for free, put 369.75 into it (battery, fluids, primer ect.) sold it for 1800.00-- bought a hard top for 400.00 sold it to the same guy for 835.00, installed it then just as its done, traded an old 76 ford highboy for it that I was in 600.00 dollers. My jeep is payin me... but now I actually need to put some money into it and hang on to it... but at least I'm positive on the deal