Questions about an SOA for a broke college student.

[Fieldtester96]

So i know this is been talked about a lot but i have some questions about steering when doing an SOA. I have a stock fj62 and want to get some more ride height so i plan to do an SOA. I understand everything that goes into it apart from what do do with the steering. I understand that you need some modifications but what is the cheapest option. Also is it possible to find used or re-manufactured high lift steering? Sorry for any ignorance im new to these kind of modifications.

 

[BMValentine]

Marlin Crawler's kit is the best option in my opinion. Feel free to check out my thread. @Hojack has a great thread. So does @cruisermatt and so many more. do all the research you can and know what you are getting into. Where in Virginia are you located?

 

[Fieldtester96]

Thanks and Norfok va, and ive looked into those but i really want is to find a solution that isnt that expensive that i can change down the line. Since im in college i dont go off roading as much so i want to get this lift so i can have my 33s with enough clearance. Im hoping to find a way i can save money. my main question i guess is it possible to run the OEM steering when you do an SOA? or will it end up just destroying everything?

 

[doug720]

Please don't take this as anything thing other than a suggestion.

I think you are asking the wrong questions based on the threads title.

Broke college student - yet wants to modify a 30 year old vehicle that gets crappy mileage.

SOA - Requires lots of mods, many of which cost money.

High Steer - more expensive aftermarket parts.

Enjoy what you have, graduate, do mods then. JMHO from a dad of a college student who has way more wants than needs!

Good luck what ever you choose.

 

[doug720]

Just saw you last post. A SOA is not needed to run 33" tires.

 

[BMValentine]

Please don't take this as anything thing other than a suggestion.

I think you are asking the wrong questions based on the threads title.

Broke college student - yet wants to modify a 30 year old vehicle that gets crappy mileage.

SOA - Requires lots of mods, many of which cost money.

High Steer - more expensive aftermarket parts.

Enjoy what you have, graduate, do mods then. JMHO from a dad of a college student who has way more wants than needs!

Good luck what ever you choose.

I am going to have to agree, steering isn't a place I would want to sacrifice. I'm down in Va Beach, shoot me a PM. Come on by and check out my project.

 

[Fieldtester96]

No harm taken, ive been thinking that way myself. Apart from the steering i can do most everything else and slowly add on aftermarket parts. Apart from the steering i can do most everything else myself with little cost since i can fab most things myself. Though i am still trying to learn everything i can so i might be overlooking something.

 

[Fieldtester96]

I am going to have to agree, steering isn't a place I would want to sacrifice. I'm down in Va Beach, shoot me a PM. Come on by and check out my project.

See i understand that, but im really hoping to find a happy medium between cheap and reliability.

 

[BMValentine]

You are inevitably overlooking a few things. I am coming to an end of my spring over project, nothing is overly difficult but expect it to be harder and more time consuming than you think. You WILL spend more money than you anticipate.

 

[Fieldtester96]

You are inevitably overlooking a few things. I am coming to an end of my spring over project, nothing is overly difficult but expect it to be harder and more time consuming than you think. You WILL spend more money than you anticipate.

The time i can do, and ive done similar with replacing a g body rear end with an A body for my 80 el camino so i have some idea of what it will take. Ive done enough research to know what im getting into but im just drawing a blank with the whole steering thing. but again i know this all sounds like im being ignorant, i will take any advice you give me

 

[Fieldtester96]

Also a little background im going to graduate as an engineer soon so its been drilled into me for the last 4 years that there is a solution to every problem and that is why im trying to figure out how to do the SOA without the high lift steering.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Do yourself a favor just leave it for now and save your money for an ome lift or tough dog it will replace alot of things that probably already need attention such as bushings shocks and wore out leaf springs. No need for soa for 33s will end up way to big but if you really want to go that route there is plenty of info on it here and people that have done it as far as the steering there is only one way to do it and its the right way not a cheap way. Take no offense just being real
I am down here in nc on the way to obx swing by with the landcruiser cant miss me i am right on the hwy 2 miles south of the grave digger shop with a big ass Toyota xtra cab on 63 tall tractor tires right out by the hwy
Tommy

 

[Fieldtester96]

Do yourself a favor just leave it for now and save your money for an ome lift or tough dog it will replace alot of things that probably already need attention such as bushings shocks and wore out leaf springs. No need for soa for 33s will end up way to big but if you really want to go that route there is plenty of info on it here and people that have done it as far as the steering there is only one way to do it and its the right way not a cheap way. Take no offense just being real
I am down here in nc on the way to obx swing by with the landcruiser cant miss me i am right on the hwy 2 miles south of the grave digger shop with a big ass Toyota xtra cab on 63 tall tractor tires right out by the hwy
Tommy

Everyone here is just so nice, and i know i should wait to do it right but its just hard when i have so many plans. As for the steering is there anyplace that sells used ones, either from someone wanting to upgrade or scrap their cruiser? I know that i wont be doing anything that needs a professional off road steering for now so i can do with a used one.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Ahh your an engineer well engineer some that is cheap and safe at the same time don't cut corners. Cheapest i can see is a bent style drag link that will get the drag link to pass by the leaf springs some older trucks are like that

 

[Fieldtester96]

Okay, so the major problem is the drag links hit the leaf springs in a SOA?

 

[BMValentine]

The issue is getting all the steering components above the leaf springs so they are protected. You need higher steering arms coming off the knuckle. If you can find those then you could source your own components for tie rods and such

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Thought you did your research

 

[tmxmotorsports]

@BMValentine has nothing to do with protecting the steering that is just a benefit of (high steer cross over steering)

 

[Fieldtester96]

See i did but all of the info i got was that you had to totality replace the steering components no one explained what the issue was just how to fix it. Thank you guys i think that that issue is something i can solve, i was afraid it was going to be something significantly harder. One more question if the drag links were below the suspension what problems would that cause?

 

[tmxmotorsports]

When you steer to the right the drag link will hit the leaf spring on the passenger side it also. Also high steer will reduce the angle of the drag link and will help eliminate bump steer .