SOA Flex: we have seen SUA now its our turn (1 Viewer)

[StevoJonesFJ60]

My contribution:

FJ62 springs up front, 63" Chevy springs out back.
Makes the 35" KM2's look small.

32" Off the ground in the rear with 3 wheels firmly planted and I could have pushed it further.

26" Off the ground in the front same conditions apply.

 

[Tapage]

that's sure good flex you have there .

 

[Tapage]

After move my rear axle back ..

sorry for the lame phone pic .. promise better ones soon ..

at the moment of this pic had some rubbing issues to solve ..

 

[lehiguy]

LehiGuy, what's your front axle? Original Toyota one with wheel spacers?

Is it ok if I reply more than a year after the fact? (Doh!) Yes, that pic was a stock Cruiser front with 1.5" spacers and 10" rims supporting my 35" tires. Since that time, I built a custon front housing (plus 6") with Bobby Long custom shafts and 30-spline Longfields. I do not use spacers with that. Below is a pic of it's maiden voyage (in the wretched snow).

 

[SNLC]

Don't take offense guys but....

I sure was expecting to see more flex from these trucks when I opened up this thread. A couple rigs are flexing well but overall SOA Cruisers don't flex like I thought they would.

I mean here I am with SUA flexing....

I guess with SOA you can do the same thing (perhaps a little more) but run bigger tires.

I have seen lot's of mini-trucks flex well with leaves and SOA. The Cruisers just don't seem to do the same. I don't know....maybe it is just me.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Don't take offense guys but....

I sure was expecting to see more flex from these trucks when I opened up this thread. A couple rigs are flexing well but overall SOA Cruisers don't flex like I thought they would.

I mean here I am with SUA flexing....

I guess with SOA you can do the same thing (perhaps a little more) but run bigger tires.

I have seen lot's of mini-trucks flex well with leaves and SOA. The Cruisers just don't seem to do the same. I don't know....maybe it is just me.

Minis are usually set up with different springs than us cruiserheads as most of our rigs run stock springs front and rear, including myself. Mini guys almost always do a RUF conversion with longer springs out back, so that's why they're gonna see more flex.

Stevo should be able to get a decent amount more flex out of his rig than in those pictures. My front end flexes way better now that I'm running less leafs in the packs and I hope to have some picture proof in the next few days.

Not saying you're wrong, just make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I still have tons of flex left in the rear, I stopped at 32" off the ground only because I only have the rear suspension tacked in.
I still had 6 inches left in the wheel well and the springs were not even inverted.
I will be sure to post up final numbers when I get the suspension dialed in.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I still have tons of flex left in the rear, I stopped at 32" off the ground only because I only have the rear suspension tacked in.
I still had 6 inches left in the wheel well and the springs were not even inverted.
I will be sure to post up final numbers when I get the suspension dialed in.

I bet it feels good to be so close man. I'm looking forward to seeing your rig out on the trail so we can see flex in her natural environment

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Pics as promised. Stock 60 leafs up front, ironman springs out back. Rear springs need a few more leaves removed to flex as well as they should, but the front works pretty well as is.

 

[Tapage]

nice flex .. but yes it looks like you are flexing more in front than rear ..

 

[GLTHFJ60]

nice flex .. but yes it looks like you are flexing more in front than rear ..

Definitely. I'm planning on taking more leaves out of the packs to get it to both sit lower and flex more. It is way too stiff right now.

 

[cruiser guy]

GLTHFJ60 nice flex! the rig is looking good!

 

[LakeTahoeFJ62]

So can I do a SOA using my stock FJ62 leaf springs?

just get new shocks and new u-bolts and connection bolts?

 

[Wheelingnoob]

So can I do a SOA using my stock FJ62 leaf springs?

just get new shocks and new u-bolts and connection bolts?

Its a bit more involved than that. Best thing to do is get the Ruffstuff SOA kit, it has all the parts you need to do it. Then you need to do a CNT to the front axle.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

And you probably want to put some add a leafs in the spring packs to help them survive.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

And you probably want to put some add a leafs in the spring packs to help them survive.

I had long AALs but took them out. I say leave the packs stock.

 

[derelict]

I was thinking about making a coil set up for the next 60 but think that a SOA will be just as good and a hell of a lot cheaper. So, here is the question: Who has the lowest SOA truck? Im looking to run 35s and only about 5" of lift. Dont want a tall sitting monster. the BJ has the MAF SR 4" kit and it sits well but an extra inch would be nice. Does going SOA affect the amount of weight that can be carried in the rear (a weeks worth of gear, firewood and a jerry can or two)?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I was thinking about making a coil set up for the next 60 but think that a SOA will be just as good and a hell of a lot cheaper. So, here is the question: Who has the lowest SOA truck? Im looking to run 35s and only about 5" of lift. Dont want a tall sitting monster. the BJ has the MAF SR 4" kit and it sits well but an extra inch would be nice. Does going SOA affect the amount of weight that can be carried in the rear (a weeks worth of gear, firewood and a jerry can or two)?

5" of lift from stock height? What is the frame height off the ground with a stock height suspension?

I believe my truck is as low as you can go in the front with the stock gear. My springs are as flat as they can be in the front. I can measure my frame height if you want.

To go lower you'd have to get lower perches or french the springs hangers into the frame.

 

[derelict]

That would be great. Ive read through your thread and the URE videos are great. I am looking to build something like what you mentioned, lower COG. Dont need 35+ inch tires. 34s/ small 35s would work out just fine for me. Its not going to be a hard core rig by any means and will need to make the trip from VA to CO often and since that means the midwest, I dont need a tall truck catching every single cross wind.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

That would be great. Ive read through your thread and the URE videos are great. I am looking to build something like what you mentioned, lower COG. Dont need 35+ inch tires. 34s/ small 35s would work out just fine for me. Its not going to be a hard core rig by any means and will need to make the trip from VA to CO often and since that means the midwest, I dont need a tall truck catching every single cross wind.

Thanks for the compliments man, I appreciate it. My frame is 25" from the bottom to the ground, measured right in-between the rivet holes for the stock bumper brackets, in front of the front spring. Technically 25.5" on one side and 24.5" on the other due to lean. Either way, right around 25".

If you're looking to build low and keep the tire size to less than 35 then you probably won't need to trim.