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Soa And Steering Issues

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by cjbilly, Feb 21, 2020.

  1. Feb 21, 2020
    cjbilly

    cjbilly Member

    East Central Indiana
    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    Messages:
    50
    Obviously not the proper way to actually lift a '59 CJ5 but, looking at improving what we already have.
    With that said, would like some suggestions and pictures on what you folks have done to help improve steering issues with some reliability.

    Looking at non PS Saginaw steering box installation. Maybe tie-rod flip? Drag link relocation to a two (2) hole passenger knuckle? Retube drag link and tie rod with larger diameter piping? Open to simple suggestions.

    Thanks!
     
    V8willysCJ5 likes this.
  2. Feb 21, 2020
    BadGoat

    BadGoat How High Can You Climb?

    Northern Virginia
    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2017
    Messages:
    326
    Do you have pictures of what you have now and what problems you are having? Spring over axle lifts work just fine as long as all the little details are thought through.

    Mike
     
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  3. Feb 21, 2020
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Jun 28, 2006
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    2,753
    Best thing to do is a Saginaw swap. There are a lot of parts at play in the Ross box setup.

    You could start with a 2hole axle knuckle and then go to a one piece tie rod
     
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  4. Feb 21, 2020
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Mar 23, 2008
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    2,169
    IME soa's using the old 1-3/4" springs are always poor handling. Aside from checking the tre's , wheel bearings , kingpins etc your best option is to convert to late CJ/ Wrangler leaves or put it back sua. You can blow alot of money trying trying to relax your grip on the wheel.
     
  5. Feb 21, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    +1 what Rich said. The stock springs just don’t have enough lateral rigidity to be safe for a SOA without incorporating some track bars F&R.

    But since you’re going to do it anyway :D, a SOA swap usually puts the springs in the way of doing a tie rod flip. You either will have to run the tie rod in the stock location, or come up with some sort of custom high-arm setup off of the top of the knuckles (like a Toyota).

    Do the lift before the steering. Then you can place the box where you need it for proper drag link angle.

    Either find a 2-hole knuckle, or get a “crossover tie rod end” (Ford’s term) or a “Y link” (Chevy’s term) for the passenger’s side that will accept your drag link.

    [​IMG]

    (Image from Speedway Motors)
     
  6. Feb 21, 2020
    Ns0mniac

    Ns0mniac Member

    San Clemente, CA
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2019
    Messages:
    63
    SOA lifts are awesome if you understand from the get go that you're going to spend more than if you just did a spring under. I also say convert to YJ springs or similar, the stock springs will leave you wanting. SOA will get you way more flex than a spring under, give you good ride quality with near-flat springs (which are favorable to some) and aren't too hard to build. If you've got an offset rear Dana 44 you can run an anti-wrap bar in the middle of the axle too which is pretty cool. Only downside is that it's hard to get less than 5.5 or 6 inches of lift.
     
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  7. Feb 21, 2020
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,918
    on my 2a i have a saganaw box and dj column. Crossover steering with single hold knuckle i found a 1995 grand cherokee long rod is the right length and work with the 2a ends. You will have to figure out the rod to the box. Mine needed a longer front driveshaft. I found a comanchee short end is a bit longer than the 2a it worked with the stock 2a long end splines and u joints were the same. ( I think thats how i did it) I ended up removing a few leafs in front to lower it and make it softer which worked great. The box i used was from a 69 nova I think. The ratio was too slow so i just made the pitman arm longer.
     
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  8. Feb 21, 2020
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

    Show low az
    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
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    473
    My first ever jeep was a 53cj3 with a spring over i belive with stock cj or willys springs(cant remeber what the PO said), power saginaw, solid tie rod, on 33s. Was apperently done well went down the freeway just fine. Only as unstable as any short wheelbase vehicle is. i have driven some ross box nearly stock jeeps that were way more scary than that willys i had.
    now i hear peoe say soa is bad and such. I will say with stock springs lots of flex.
    Just my .02 and expierence.
     
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  9. Feb 22, 2020
    V8willysCJ5

    V8willysCJ5 New Member

    Mequon, WI
    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2020
    Messages:
    14
    Hello - Joining the convo as CJbilly started thread on my behalf. Here are some pics of current steering set up. I currently have an SOA from a CJ5 I bought a few years ago. Looks like I currently have the cross-over tie-rod end as references above. A little background, where the drag link is parallel with tie rod - drag link snapped at the weld while off-road. Now looking at how to reengineer to make the entire system stronger/better. Still running the stock ross steering box, also. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions - keep ‘em coming!
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Feb 22, 2020
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

    Show low az
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    That looks alot like the rocky road one.
    Inhave seen people gusset them with plate steel or use a oversize dom tube for the arm its self. Been thinkin bout soa for this 60 i just got
     
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  11. Feb 22, 2020
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

    Show low az
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    Mar 5, 2019
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    473
    v8willyscj do you mind if i screenshot those pics for reference. Love your screen name too, i too have a v8.
     
  12. Feb 22, 2020
    V8willysCJ5

    V8willysCJ5 New Member

    Mequon, WI
    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2020
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    Not at all! V8 definitely gets some attention in these early CJ’s
     
  13. Feb 22, 2020
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

    Show low az
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    Yes, yes it does. Love the sound haha.
     
  14. Feb 22, 2020
    Sierra Bum

    Sierra Bum Member

    The High Sierra
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2017
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    329
    I built an early spoa CJ5 some years ago. I really liked it. I put longer Ecj5 rear springs in the front, a drop pitman, Saggy PS, and some other details but it was stable and worked well.

    my current 68 cj5 is SPU with rears in front. If I was to go spoa, I’d definitely go with longer front springs, and probably a full stock YJ suspension as others have suggested.

    Steering: the best solution I have come across seems to be swapping a 72-75 Dana 30 in there and running a high steer set up. Rocky Road Outfitters has a HS/OTT kit that looks good
     
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  15. Feb 22, 2020
    BadGoat

    BadGoat How High Can You Climb?

    Northern Virginia
    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2017
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    326
    I'd definitely consider switching it to high steer arms, but that might require upgrading the front axle. I can't tell from the pictures if yours is a Dana 30 or an earlier Dana 27 or 25. The Z-link type draglinks are a common failure point as the forces on that rod can be quite high. You can weld it back together with some gussets to keep driving it for now. The difference in elevation from the pitman arm to where the drag link attaches to the tie rod will can also cause bump steer.

    Rocky Road has both a high steer kit or a replacement draglink that might work for your setup. Jeep CJ lift steering system

    Mike
     
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  16. Feb 22, 2020
    V8willysCJ5

    V8willysCJ5 New Member

    Mequon, WI
    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2020
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    I’ll have to give the Dana 30’s a look and what rocky road has to offer.
     
  17. Feb 22, 2020
    V8willysCJ5

    V8willysCJ5 New Member

    Mequon, WI
    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2020
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    the plan is to get it welded back up with some strengthening gussets to get me by. I do have the earlier Dana front end, not the 30. It may need be a piece of the upgrade puzzle.
     
  18. Feb 22, 2020
    Sierra Bum

    Sierra Bum Member

    The High Sierra
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2017
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    329
    Good plan! It’s a mostly easy, direct swap. Just be aware of matching ring and pinion ratios. The 30 is fairly available and affordable. Worth looking for one with disk brakes...
     
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  19. Feb 22, 2020
    V8willysCJ5

    V8willysCJ5 New Member

    Mequon, WI
    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2020
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    If you come across any geared 5.38 direct me to it!
     
  20. Feb 22, 2020
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

    Show low az
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    If your looking to upgrade look at the roxor d44 just under 1000 with disk brakes
     
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