Spring Over Conversion...worth doing?

[IrollwithTojo]

Hey guys, I have a 1989 62. I have been interested in doing an SOA conversion for some time now. I have heard good and bad things about it from many people, none of which had Cruisers...Although a friend of mine said he went to a shop and they said that within the year it was done, it would be leaning and the steering would be messed over. Is this true?

I would like to hear the positives and the negatives about it.

Thanks
-Carl

 

[90FJ62]

It really depends on how you use your truck on if SOA is for you or not. Also if you do it right then SOA can be just as reliable as stock suspension. Do some searches for SOA and read the threads. Chicago and Kaviks threads are great and full of information.

Dave

 

[inkpot]

Hey guys, I have a 1989 62. I have been interested in doing an SOA conversion for some time now. I have heard good and bad things about it from many people, none of which had Cruisers...Although a friend of mine said he went to a shop and they said that within the year it was done, it would be leaning and the steering would be messed over. Is this true?

I would like to hear the positives and the negatives about it.

Thanks
-Carl

Howdy! I did an SOA on my rig before they even made the first FJ 62. It still works just fine. John

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I liked the SOA in my 40 so much, I'm doing one now on my FJ60.

It's good, it isn't cheap. There are many issues to consider. Best to own the truck awhile and then consider the SOA. If you stay on the road most of the time, SUA is better. For a wheeling truck, that you really take wheeling, the SOA is better there. Where do you plan to go that the truck can't go now?

It will use up springs faster.

You will need to deal with the steering-most go to high steer set ups and you should too.

This is just my opinion, but...you want significantly stiffer springs than stock. Stock spring with an add-a-leaf is a good starting point. I like an extra long load leaf in the pack, the same length as the military wrap spring, with the military wrap cut off.

An anti wrap bar in the rear is a good idea.

You need to think carefully about rear geometry and the type of driveshaft you want to use.


Edit---I see you are in Kansas. Is there really any wheeling there? If not, stay spring under. Even if there is moderate wheeling, stay spring under. The stock spring under set up works extremely well, and I would only do an SOA if you really want to go in the big rocks. Even Rubicon is doable in a spring under wagon, just ask Chappy.

 

[IrollwithTojo]

Alright, thanks guys. From what I'm hearing here and from other people the SOA is good and bad. Although, if I'm going to to continue SUA I would like to a little more lift out of my truck. It's got 33x12.5's and a 2" lift now. I would like to get maybe another 2-3 inches. I found some add-a-leafs on MAF but I'n not exaclty sure which one would suit me best, the short or long leaf.
Add-A-Leaf Springs

Thanks
-Carl

 

[landcruiserjunky]

Soa=amazing

 

[DBS311]

You could always get a little longer shackle and throw in a body lift. If you have the OME lift and you are simply looking for a couple more inches of lift, SOA is not the direction I'd recommend. Don't forget to factor in the "other things" to buy after going SOA. #1, your 33's will look silly so you'll most likely bump up to 35's. #2, next thing you know, the 35's with stock gearing is painfully slow with the auto trans so you are thinking to regear. Oh, and since you are in there, #3, you might as well throw in the lockers, right? Trust me, going after those "couple inches of lift", especially if you go SOA, turns into some serious $$$. I'm SOA and love it, but it's not my daily driver and is only used for wheeling.

 

[IrollwithTojo]

I have heard that same statement many times^
Back to what I asked about the Add-a-Leafs
Which one would suit me best? Add-A-Leaf Springs Long or short?

Thanks guys
-Carl

 

[inkpot]

I have heard that same statement many times^
Back to what I asked about the Add-a-Leafs
Which one would suit me best? Add-A-Leaf Springs Long or short?

Thanks guys
-Carl

Howdy! If you already have a 2" lift, then add-a-leafs may not do much for you if it is a spring lift. If it is a shackle or body lift then it will raise you up some. Add-a-leafs may make the ride a lot stiffer. You may need to get longer shocks/move the shock mounts, also. John

 

[IrollwithTojo]

I see....so longer shackles and/or body lift would be the way to go over add-a-leaf?

-Carl

 

[IrollwithTojo]

Site to get longer/better shackles?

Thanks
-Carl

 

[DBS311]

The 4+ GSK shackles from Man-a-Fre are nice. I've had them on my Cruiser for a long time and love them. Very beef. MAF 4+Plus GSK Super Heavy Duty Greasable Anit-Inversion Shackle

As mentioned earlier, AAL's usually are better suited for tired, stock height leaf packs and "generally" give a lift of around 1-1.5", so they aren't going to give you any additional height with OME springs. You can always add them for more load carrying capacity (long leaf will flex better/ride nicer and the short leaf will ride harsher but give more load capacity).

 

[IrollwithTojo]

Thanks DBS, I might be taking a little drive to the bank soon enough .

-Carl

 

[LCOwner]

SOA and other build-ups here.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/199577-project-build-up-directory.html

 

[IrollwithTojo]

Been looking at the MAF shackles...but not sure which ones to get MAF 4+Plus GSK Super Heavy Duty Greasable Anit-Inversion Shackle
The GSK-1060R or the GSK-1060L...opinions?

Thanks
-Carl

 

[Spook50]

I'm still torn as to whether I want to spend the money and go OME, or if I want to remove the Add-A-Leafs from my springs and do an SOA. I'm thinking with all the weight I plan on adding to my truck over time, I could probably get away with leaving the Add-A-Leafs in, but at this point I think I'd be sitting WAY too high for the width of my wheelbase if I left the AALs in.

I think what it mostly comes down to is what you plan on doing with your rig, and what your personal preferences will be.

 

[alaska60]

Like dbs311 was saying..... you want to go soa? I did too. i started it and I now have a fj60 with $4,000 worth of axles under it You'll start with a simple SOA conversion and the next thing you know.... ARB's 4:56 gears Traction bars.....ect. yep $$$$$$ But sooooooooo worth it! right guys?

 

[brokenparts]

Like dbs311 was saying..... you want to go soa? I did too. i started it and I now have a fj60 with $4,000 worth of axles under it You'll start with a simple SOA conversion and the next thing you know.... ARB's 4:56 gears Traction bars.....ect. yep $$$$$$ But sooooooooo worth it! right guys?

it doesnt stop there either...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

We have a pretty in-depth conversation going on about SOAs (on FJ55s but same thing) over on Expedition Portal. Good info from myself (I wrote the article for ih8mud and trails in '04) and Kurt Williams of Cruiser Outfitters who is also one of the most knowledgable guys around. I also use stock shackles with SOA to get the lowest lift possible.
SOA fj55 - Expedition Portal Forums

Also Mule Equipment has really killer shackles as well..

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Site to get longer/better shackles?

Thanks
-Carl

As has been discussed, there a ton of shackle options. The MAF GSK shackles are the strongest, nicest, best I have seen. I ran them for years. The OME shackles are great too. With that said, you don't need them for a spring over.

For a variety of reasons, you don't want long tall shackles. You want shackles just long enough to allow your spring to flex without binding. SO if you are using stock springs, with a stock arch, it stands to reason you can use stock shackles. The stock shackles are excellent as long as they are not f'ed up when you take things apart. The pin is 16mm or so and very beefy and strong. I''ve never seen or heard of a broken stock shackle. Not saying it doesn't happen in some rust prone state, though...

Also remember you can make you own shackle for almost nothing. Some 3/8 x 2 inch stock, cut to length with 5/8 bolt hole in each end. Maybe an hour of work. Trust me that will be as strong as any available aftermarket shackle, and the grade 8 bolts will cost way more than the shackle bars.