Questions about an SOA for a broke college student.

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I believe have THE lowest spring-over 60 out there (it sits lower then some SUA trucks) and I daily drive it when I don't have it torn apart for whatever reason, that being said there's no way OP is going to put the time and effort in that I did to achieve the same result based on his writings

I've driven and rode in a bunch of "normal" SOA 60's that use all the stock springs and frame mounts and agree, not a great end product for anything other then the trail.
 
cruisermatt said:
I believe have THE lowest spring-over 60 out there (it sits lower then some SUA trucks) and I daily drive it when I don't have it torn apart for whatever reason, that being said there's no way OP is going to put the time and effort in that I did to achieve the same result based on his writings

I've been in a bunhc of "normal" SOA 60's that use all the stock mounts on the frame and agree, not great
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And also not using wore out springs and still slinky
 
Im definitely not going to stop spending money after i do the SOA, i just want to get the ball rolling that way i dont feel like im hording parts for some future project that i will never make time for. I have enough time off a couple weeks from now so i want to at least get it so i have a SOA that i can drive and i will keep changing it over time
 
Fieldtester96 said:
Im definitely not going to stop spending money after i do the SOA, i just want to get the ball rolling that way i dont feel like im hording parts for some future project that i will never make time for. I have enough time off a couple weeks from now so i want to at least get it so i have a SOA that i can drive and i will keep changing it over time
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Not a good strategy for a complex system like a vehicle suspension. Do it once, do it right. I spent several years researching, planning, test driving, and wheeling my truck as it was before I touched my suspension. And I STILL have some tweaks to make like stiffer shocks, air bags, sway bar, etc. These details can be added later. Major components like spring geometer, steering, need to be done right.
 
there's a whole thread you can read that shows what happens when one just jumps in without any knowledge or planning. He's had to do everything twice now....
 
cruisermatt said:
Not a good strategy for a complex system like a vehicle suspension. Do it once, do it right. I spent several years researching, planning, test driving, and wheeling my truck as it was before I touched my suspension. And I STILL have some tweaks to make like stiffer shocks, air bags, sway bar, etc. These details can be added later. Major components like spring geometer, steering, need to be done right.
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Look i fully understand that but i disagree that its something that needs to be done once and left alone. I dont plan to aggressive with if off road and mainly want the lift for stylistic choices and so i can ford deeper waters seeing as the town im in floods at the drop of a hat. I plan to make the steering as good as or better than OEM but i dont think that i will need to spend 1000 dollars to do that. I will make sure it has a betters suspension than what it has now but im not going to increase it by much. That will come later when i can fully afford to do a full resto. For the time being im going to put what i learned to the test to improve on what i have but i have no expectations that it will able to handle extreme terrain
 
If 33x12.50’s fit on my stock height sagged out 1983, they’ll look lost on a SOA.

At this point a SOA conversion is a solution to a problem you don’t have.
 
cruisermatt said:
there's a whole thread you can read that shows what happens when one just jumps in without any knowledge or planning. He's had to do everything twice now....
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Its not like im new to this, this isnt the first time i have modified the suspension on a vehicle just the first time im tackling it on a 4x4
 
FJACS said:
If 33x12.50’s fit on my stock height sagged out 1983, they’ll look lost on a SOA.

At this point a SOA conversion is a solution to a problem you don’t have.
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I beg to differ, ive done enough research and quite like 33s on a SOA
 
Alright dude, go for it then. Make sure to post up your progress
 
cruisermatt said:
Alright dude, go for it then. Make sure to post up your progress
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I will, and i dont mean to sound hostile i just want to make sure i get my point across. Regardless you all have been a great help and hae given me some great advice. so thank you all ill post progress pics soon
 
I’m not sure why you are so against tons of great advice and experience.
Spend $480 and get everything you need for correct safe steering.
Quit being so cheap. Save an extra month or 2.

Why are you trying to be so cheap? I get being frugal, trust me. Steering and brakes are areas you don’t cheap out on.
 
FJBen said:
I’m not sure why you are so against tons of great advice and experience.
Spend $480 and get everything you need for correct safe steering.
Quit being so cheap. Save an extra month or 2.

Why are you trying to be so cheap? I get being frugal, trust me. Steering and brakes are areas you don’t cheap out on.
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Im not trying to be cheap, i just want to use the oem steering until i use my cruiser for more off roading. I will do extensive testing before i even consider to take it on the road as well as get it inspected. I just want to use what i have
 
Fieldtester96 said:
Im not trying to be cheap, i just want to use the oem steering until i use my cruiser for more off roading. I will do extensive testing before i even consider to take it on the road as well as get it inspected. I just want to use what i have
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You can’t run standard steering with SOA. It doesn’t work without changing it. So that idea has to go. There are safe and unsafe ways. We are giving you the right ways.

SOA is already changing the geometry past what the engineers designed. That’s why highsteer was invented by engineers to safely solve that problem.
Simple as that.
 
FJBen said:
You can’t run standard steering with SOA. It doesn’t work without changing it. So that idea has to go. There are safe and unsafe ways. We are giving you the right ways.

SOA is already changing the geometry past what the engineers designed. That’s why highsteer was invented by engineers to safely solve that problem.
Simple as that.
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Well from this thread i found i can just use high steer arms with the standard steering so thats the rout im going to go.
 
Fieldtester96 said:
Well from this thread i found i can just use high steer arms with the standard steering so thats the rout im going to go.
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Correct you have to use highsteer at minimum...but, My guess is you will destroy a tie rod end or 2 doing this and possibly have issues with the rod as well.

Just trying to save some frustration and parts shopping. Steering is really only one component of doing an SOA correctly.
Good luck and keep asking for help.
 
Fieldtester96 said:
Im not trying to be cheap, i just want to use the oem steering until i use my cruiser for more off roading. I will do extensive testing before i even consider to take it on the road as well as get it inspected. I just want to use what i have
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If you are not going off-road, you will ruin your truck doing a spring over.

There are only 2 important things with a vehicle. Braking and steering. If you toss both of these to the wind, your truck will be useless and join hundreds/thousands of other poorly thought out trucks that end up in car ports and back 40s but basically useless.

Be conservative here. You do not understand all the issues and compromises. You are likely to end up with something you don't want. If you plan to go on the Rubicon in the next year, than a spring over makes some sense. But if you just need a cool truck to drive around, just stay spring under. In 5 years. you'll get it.
 
Hahaha this thread is hilarious. I think OP just needs to get the welder out and go to town so we can see the progress. Otherwise this thread and the progress will die a quick death much like most threads that are like this.

Out of curiosity, how long have you owned the truck/been driving it for?
 
Just chiming in as I saw my name was mentioned. Need to read the above posts but here’s my $0.02
I’m almost 40 have savings in the bank and a great job, no debt except my house which should hopefully be paid in just over 10 years. I didn’t name mine Project Snowball for nothing. The cost spirals out of control quickly. Glad I have an awesome wife and kids that understand dads enjoyment of his 60. Enjoy your 60 as it is and don’t loose it cuz your already in over your head in school debt. Wait til the time is right. I bought mine in 2013 and waited saved, and did a diesel engine swap and SOA which has taken over a year. Life gets busy and I can’t neglect family. Don’t go in more debt over this and end up loosing it in the process. Seen numerous threads selling their partially completed money pit nightmare, what a shame.
A 60 series is amazing in its original shape to decked out for trails. There many on here who are at either end and in between. Just owning one is awesome.
 
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