NEWBIE - SOA Question

[Snohomish76Cruiser]

Sorry if this has already been talked about, but I wasn't able to find it.

Anyway, bought a cruiser w/ an SOA already done, and it seems like it's lower than other SOA's I've seen. Any reasons why? Do I have different springs? Do I need new springs?

Sorry if this is REALLY a newbie question, but I'm just hoping to have more clearance w/ my 35's.

Thanks!

 

[woody]

take a frame rail to axle housing measurement, front and rear

low SOA's are a good thing, IMO....

 

[red dirt squirt]

you probably just have really flexy springs which are good and the difference your seeing might just be because of different spring set ups. if you want more clearance you'll probably have to lift for it and as you probably know that can be quite a lot of work and money. hope this helps.

 

[lone gunman]

i guess from your name your in snohomish wa. i am not far from you, what i would do if you have a question on your springs you might go by randys off road on hwy 99 in marysville about 148th on 99 (or aka smokey point blvd) randy and his mechanics are really good and wont screw you over and they know cruisers pretty well, i havent had good luck with olympic they know heeps but not cruisers. good luck and welcome!! www.randysoffroad.com

 

[e rock]

I'll go ahead and echo the comment about Olympic's 'mechanics'.

Randy used to have a cruiser, but I haven't seen it in a while, so I don't know if it's still around or not. He's a good guy and his shop does good work, but it seems like about 90% of his work comes from lifting fullsize trucks and modifying turbodiesels. Randy was the main sponsor for the NW National Diesel Drags and Truck Pull last month - that's where most of his business comes from.

If you really want to talk to people that know their stuff, talk to Jason and Trevor at S&N Fab in Arlington. There is no such thing as booty-fab or anything below top-notch coming out of their doors.

There are a number of factors in the ride-height of a SO - take some pictures and post em up. Or PM me and I'd be happy to come take a look. Checking out cruisers never gets old BTW, where did it come from? Local?

Hey Lone Gunman - are you tatman, or is there more than 1 cruiser in GF?

Eric

 

[tock13]

Ok I am throwing out my 2 cents just because of all the locals on this one. . I have to agree about Olympic...seem like a bunch of great guys who know those other rigs well...but the work I had done there was pretty simple stuff and they overlooked a basic part of the installation so I had to go back and get the missing piece done. I have heard of good stuff about Randy's place from several people with all types of rides. There is a shop in Burlington...Harris Offroad, I heard one of the mechanics owned a couple cruisers. Anyone hear about the quality of work done there??

Hey Eric...feel like giving a valve adjusting seminar in the near future??? Hey...did you paint your house?? I swear there is a gray one where a white one used to be.

tony

 

[Snohomish76Cruiser]

right on..thanks for all the advice everyone!

In regards to the LC, it's a '76 w/ a 350, SOA, 35's, Warn 8274, onboard air, ARB front, lockright rear, PS, etc. Also came with a hard top, and a soft top. Though, I'm missing a drivers side door, so if anyone has one, let me know. I'd be interested in it.

I bought it from a guy in Marysville last April. It's yellow, maybe you've seen it around. He usually trailered it around, but it's perfect on the raod.

I have another buddy that has a sweet '75, so it'd be cool to all meet up sometime.

I'm leaving on biz on Wed, but i'll try to get some pics posted ASAP.

Thanks again!

 

[LT]

How about counting the leafs, you can find out real fast if the PO took out a couple of leafs. My rig sits higher because I left the full packs on for DD purposes.

 

[e rock]

There is a shop in Burlington...Harris Offroad, I heard one of the mechanics owned a couple cruisers. Anyone hear about the quality of work done there??

The name sounds familiar, but nothing specific is coming to mind...

Hey Eric...feel like giving a valve adjusting seminar in the near future??? Hey...did you paint your house?? I swear there is a gray one where a white one used to be.
tony

Yup - painted it last month because I had too many projects and wasn't going to have time to replace the siding this year. I figure the paint buys me a few more years on that one.

We can do valves whenever - just let me know. I'm saving up vacation for the new baby, so I'll most likely be around. I think the only thing you'll need is a new valvecover gasket if you don't already have one.

SnoHo- if you and your buddy want to go wheeling sometime or just get together, let me know. I'm trying to get out more. This weekend I'm going to run up to Jack's Pass with a buddy to check it out before the snow comes and the real fun begins

Eric

 

[freeamerica]

Well I'll be dang...

I know e rock, but it's surprising to find a bunch of Snohomish/Monroe folks on here. Anyway I'm technically Snohomish, but right above the fairground in Monroe. Not to steal this thread, but if you guys ever decide to get together, give me a holler as well.

And the valve adjust seminar... I'd be glad to help there. Still have copies of the "Critchfield Approved" method of adjustment if anyone is interested.

 

[e rock]

Still have copies of the "Critchfield Approved" method of adjustment if anyone is interested.

The only one I use

Didn't realize you were so close now Mike. We're like a posse now, except most of us have never met in person...

Eric

 

[freeamerica]

Eric,

It's been awhile hasn't it? I think the last time I saw you was a Seattle Cruiserheads run up Lake Isabel, probably 2-3 summers ago. Man time flies.

We moved up to the Robinhood development about 2 1/2 years ago from Duvall. Overall, it's been great. I love being this close to the fairgrounds.

Anyway, I guess we are going to have to fix the problem of most of this group never having met in person. Maybe pull a pizza and beer night together.

 

[tock13]

Man I think we need to get together and talk some shop or whatever...I am up for pizza and beer....My cruiser loves to wheel the speed bumps of alfies in 4wd ....not so far to walk home when I break something.


oh..and as for the valve adjusting seminar... I can bring the guinea pig truck.

 

[lone gunman]

Hey e rock dont know tatman but have seen a few cruisers running around town, i am actually out at lake bosworth, kinda between machias and granite falls, i have a 76 FJ40 its 2002 VW bug yellow with 350 sbc, and 35s. i wouldnt mind meeting some time for pizza and beer and to look at cruisers at allfys sounds fun, if i can get away from the kids its a good thing (LOL) and hey tock13 did you ever find a hard top. oh and snohomish76cruiser i may be able to help with the door for your soft top a buddy of mine in everett was cleaning house and gave me a complete soft top and 4 doors so i may have one or both if your interested pm me if ya want. take care guys and yes i know this is chit chat sorry!! oh e rock were is s&n fab in arlington, my buddy in everett who hasa 64 FJ40 is a welder fabricator and normally does all my welding but always looking for stuff.

 

[e rock]

Hey e rock dont know tatman but have seen a few cruisers running around town, i am actually out at lake bosworth. oh e rock were is s&n fab in arlington, my buddy in everett who hasa 64 FJ40 is a welder fabricator and normally does all my welding but always looking for stuff

Tatman (can't remember his real name) is on another board I frequent and I've met him a couple times on trail rides. Older hippie/biker-looking guy who works at Everett Tattoo Emporium. He's got a topless black 40 with a 350, 35s (I think) and a bunch of stickers. I don't think he drives it much except to go wheeling, but he does drive it down to Gold Bar - no trailer.

S&N (http://www.sn-fab.com/) is really close to the Arlington airport. Check out their website for pictures of the rock buggy they were towing back up from Cali when they got hit on I-5. Barrel-rolled the CTD Dodge and the trailer/buggy. The buggy is the only thing that survived. In fact, I heard that Woody just won an AA gift certificate in the raffle to get Jason and Trevor back on their feet after the accident, but I digress.

Back to (sort of) on topic: I don't mind having people over to work in my driveway, but it's pretty inadequate for anything more than 2 rigs at a time. So if we want to have a work partay, anyone else want to offer up some flat ground? and pizza is always good too

 

[lone gunman]

e rock i have seen tatman in town a few times and never been able to stop to talk but his 350 sounds healthy, and hey no problem about comming over just interested in maybe pizza and BS, but it would be fun to get together and check every bodys cruisers out.

 

[Snohomish76Cruiser]

Man I think we need to get together and talk some shop or whatever...I am up for pizza and beer....My cruiser loves to wheel the speed bumps of alfies in 4wd ....not so far to walk home when I break something.


oh..and as for the valve adjusting seminar... I can bring the guinea pig truck.

Actually, I need a door for my hard top. Thanks for the offer, I'd like to meet up with everyone to check out the rigs for ideas, etc.

Man, this is a good board!

Actually, do any of you local guys have a dual battery setup? I'm thinking I need to put one on my rig. I find myself having trouble starting. I have a ton of 'crap' (air horn, gauges, and lights up the @ss) on my rig that was on there when I got it. I'll have to let y'all check it out and tell me what I should leave and keep.

 

[lone gunman]

snohomish76cruiser, i wish i had dual batteries, i have one of the marine switches laying around from a old 72 chevy 4x4 i parted out years ago and all the 2 gauge cable and have been thinking about installing it in my cruiser the only thing i think i need is an isolator, but on my old truck when the isolater went out i just removed it and the batteries still stayed charged. sorry i dont have a steel door, thought you needed a soft door. i have been kinda looking for two my self for making half doors because the half doors i have are for a older cruiser and i get tired of changing out lacthes every summer. i would love to see your on board air set up, ive always wanted that and would love to look at the brackets you have, is it a york compressor? i will be in monroe this weekend for the gun show are you going to be around? i always go there off of woods creek road by safeway. you any were near there? if you wont be around its cool i probably wont do any cruiser projects this winter, i have to help my son rebuild a mini bike i got him, this winter and need to pacth the boat for next spring so no hurry.

 

[Snohomish76Cruiser]

I'd love to meet up, but I'll be in Colville hunting for 10 days, though I have to stick around the following weekend (wife's orders), so maybe we can meet up then. Sheesh, hunting season, and I have to stay home for a weekend, oh well...the following weekend will be full of ducks!

To be honest, i'm not sure what kind of onboard air it is, you'll have to take a look at it. I'm sure you know more than I do.

Anyhow, I'll talk to y'all soon...I'm off for hunting.

 

[tock13]

Hey gunman...I am still looking for a top. That one you told me about ot near GF was older. I looked at one in Seattle but it is pending someone in canada...might have found one in....Reno. CRAP.

I am in the same boat and neighboor hoos as E Rock as far as room to work on more than one cruiser....anyone iwht acerage?

let me know when and where pizza n beer would be cool to meet everyone and see whats up.