GreenWeeny78 said:
:shotts:
sua vs. soa (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mozzio
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
:shotts:
There are plenty of reasons why one is better than the other for different situations. But none of them have anything to do with magazines. It has been proven SOAs have more articulation than a SUA. THat being said if you want more articulation and more clearance then go SOA. If that is not what you want then stay SUA. There is nothing wrong with SUA. It's all what the driver wants out of his vehicle. We can talk till were blue in the face on this one. Personally if I had the money I would get rid of both and go with a 4 link.
Or at least that is what I have read other people have done in magazines.
Or at least that is what I have read other people have done in magazines.
I"m not arguing either way, Just thought i'd throw out the old versus new springs variable, since i've never heard it mentioned before, and i've read alot of arguments for both. I personally like springover. I like the amount of lift it gives, and it always seems to have a smoother ride, but iv'e never ridden in one that was done with brand new springs. I do have a soa in my 1980 scout, and it rides and drives much better than before I did it. I feel its more stable now than it was before, but i swapped the rear springs out for chevy 63's, and added a leaf to the front.
My last cruiser had a 3" spring under lift kit, and my currrent FJ40 has a SOA conversion. Having said that, the SOA ride is MUCH better than a sua vehicle. Adding a lift kit with re-arched springs, in my opinion will never get as soft as a ride as a spring over axle setup because with SOA you are using stock springs. Plus the additional flex of a soa is just another bonus.
Just remember to do it right the first time, regardless if you pick a SUA/SOA setup. Not just for performance reasons, but more importantly safety reasons. I would recommend doing a SOA conversion done by someone who knows what they are doing along with a traction bar and hy-steer set-up. It will cost more but IMO it is a much better setup. This will always give you the future option to tackle some difficult trails, even if you do not have that in your plans right now.
Good luck with your decision.
Just remember to do it right the first time, regardless if you pick a SUA/SOA setup. Not just for performance reasons, but more importantly safety reasons. I would recommend doing a SOA conversion done by someone who knows what they are doing along with a traction bar and hy-steer set-up. It will cost more but IMO it is a much better setup. This will always give you the future option to tackle some difficult trails, even if you do not have that in your plans right now.
Good luck with your decision.
Josie'sLandCruiser
Stop calling it a "FJ."
Hi All:
I agree with this part of your post, "Poet."
There has been an "arms race" in the 4X4 world for the last decade or so, wherein guys feel they gotta have all the latest "bells and whistles" covered in the 4wd magazines or all the mods discussed on BBs and lists.
Everything in life is a compromise, of one sort or another. I have buddies with with SOA and SUA FJ40s; I generally feel the SOA are better 'wheeling rigs, but my SUA rig keeps up with them in 99% of the places we 'wheel.
I personally feel that learning basic 'wheeling skills and techniques are best done with open diffed rigs; the moer stock the better.
Regards,
Alan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"4x4Poet" wrote:
<snip>
>IMO, today's wheelers think they need all kinds of extreme mods to tackle everyday obstacles. Needing extreme mods to boulder crawl is one thing, but I've heard wheelers say one can't get thru the Rubicon without lockers and at least 33" tires which is incredibly ridiculous when one considers that tens of thousands of FJ40s, CJs, EBs, et al were making trips thru the Rubicon since the 50s (60s for FJs/EBs) shod with skinny 31" tires, with no lockers, and on stock suspensions. Shoot, grandmas drove thru the Rubicon in stock heeps before most of us had drivers liscenses. I'm all for cool, functional mods, but some dear folks need to learn to drive off road with open diffs before they think of making mods.
I agree with this part of your post, "Poet."
There has been an "arms race" in the 4X4 world for the last decade or so, wherein guys feel they gotta have all the latest "bells and whistles" covered in the 4wd magazines or all the mods discussed on BBs and lists.
Everything in life is a compromise, of one sort or another. I have buddies with with SOA and SUA FJ40s; I generally feel the SOA are better 'wheeling rigs, but my SUA rig keeps up with them in 99% of the places we 'wheel.
I personally feel that learning basic 'wheeling skills and techniques are best done with open diffed rigs; the moer stock the better.
Regards,
Alan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"4x4Poet" wrote:
<snip>
>IMO, today's wheelers think they need all kinds of extreme mods to tackle everyday obstacles. Needing extreme mods to boulder crawl is one thing, but I've heard wheelers say one can't get thru the Rubicon without lockers and at least 33" tires which is incredibly ridiculous when one considers that tens of thousands of FJ40s, CJs, EBs, et al were making trips thru the Rubicon since the 50s (60s for FJs/EBs) shod with skinny 31" tires, with no lockers, and on stock suspensions. Shoot, grandmas drove thru the Rubicon in stock heeps before most of us had drivers liscenses. I'm all for cool, functional mods, but some dear folks need to learn to drive off road with open diffs before they think of making mods.
4x4Poet said:
Do tell how a SOA causes a greater stress on the knuckles & steering when running the same size tires as a SUA, I would argue the opposite when built correctly... Frame? Is there something I am missing?
SOA's are not for everyone, but neither are SUA's
. Having owned several of each, SOA is my preference.
If we are going to compare things, lets compare them apples to apples...
A 3" SUA lift is NOT in the same league as a 6" SOA. You won't get the travel, the ride, and the capability of the SOA.
I have absolutely nothing against SUA setups, I wheeled my 68' for years that way, loved it. But it was not nearly as capable as my 40 now. Apples and oranges.
Off camber... off course a SOA is going to be more off balance, so is a 6" lift SUA (comparing apples to apples).
I'de love to see some pics of these "off-camber" places that a SOA can't make it... I have never run into that myself???
Magazines, who reads the general rags? And on top of that, of course you are going to see more SOA on their side... there are ALOT more of them actually doing something that could cause a rollover, the SUA rigs are still at the start of the trail dragging their axles in the rocks.
A 3" SUA lift is NOT in the same league as a 6" SOA. You won't get the travel, the ride, and the capability of the SOA.
I have absolutely nothing against SUA setups, I wheeled my 68' for years that way, loved it. But it was not nearly as capable as my 40 now. Apples and oranges.
Off camber... off course a SOA is going to be more off balance, so is a 6" lift SUA (comparing apples to apples).
I'de love to see some pics of these "off-camber" places that a SOA can't make it... I have never run into that myself???
Magazines, who reads the general rags? And on top of that, of course you are going to see more SOA on their side... there are ALOT more of them actually doing something that could cause a rollover, the SUA rigs are still at the start of the trail dragging their axles in the rocks.
Oh, and this whole jump on the bandwagon thing... I talk more people out of SOA's than I do talk them in... mostly because of the cost and amount of work required. But in the end they always end up wanting it. Can't say I have ever had someone ask me to SUA convert a truck that was SOA
This debate is about as dumb as the "automatic vs manual" debate 
Hehe...
I said I wasn't trying to start a debate, just offering my opinion with what I view as support all based upon the OP's questions and his having a full-bodied FJ40. Let the "SUA vs. SOA" debate occur in the OP's mind, if he so chooses.
So back off, SOA Mafia!
I said I wasn't trying to start a debate, just offering my opinion with what I view as support all based upon the OP's questions and his having a full-bodied FJ40. Let the "SUA vs. SOA" debate occur in the OP's mind, if he so chooses.
So back off, SOA Mafia!
I just read the FAQ spring threads on SUA vs SOA. My question is; what is the general opinion about the different 4" springs out there? I'm considering
Downey, MAF, CCOT and Alcan?
Any feedback would be appreciate.
Thanks
Downey, MAF, CCOT and Alcan?
Any feedback would be appreciate.
Thanks
Last edited:
I have no experince with the different kits. I ordered the HFS kit becasue the springs are supposed to be longer and improve shackle angle for a better ride becasue due to the arch of the 4" springs it will be a rougher ride vs a SOA using stock springs.
I believe Alcan can make some 5 in springs for SUA for crawling.
I went to the Round Up 07 w/ my 40 SUA Shackle reversal (about 2 1/2") and
2 1/2" shackles rear & 37 Mtr's stock 4 spd combo and open diffs. I'll tell you, I was having a blast I tag along with a 80 on 37's and a 40 on 35's both lock.
I followed them where they were using lockers, while I was using my feet carefully on the pedals to go over the rocks. I had a lot fun. Disc brakes all around and power steering makes a difference.
I went to the Round Up 07 w/ my 40 SUA Shackle reversal (about 2 1/2") and
2 1/2" shackles rear & 37 Mtr's stock 4 spd combo and open diffs. I'll tell you, I was having a blast I tag along with a 80 on 37's and a 40 on 35's both lock.
I followed them where they were using lockers, while I was using my feet carefully on the pedals to go over the rocks. I had a lot fun. Disc brakes all around and power steering makes a difference.
You run 37's on a 2-1/2" lift?
alcans are the best but they cost the most
Sorry I forgot to mentioned the lift it's a 4in and shackle reversal it about 2 1/2 more.
this argument is rediculous your roll over possibilities have NOTHING TO DO WITH SOA OR SUA!!!!!!!!! it all come down to height/width/length and spring rate! gravity does not care about ANYTHING else, even where your axles is. the only reason you see more SOA rigs on their lids is because there are mores HARDCORE SOA rigs. that said, you can make either way work well
your roll over possibilities have NOTHING TO DO WITH SOA OR SUA!!!!!!!!! it all come down to height/width/length and spring rate! gravity does not care about ANYTHING else, even where your axles is. the only reason you see more SOA rigs on their lids is because there are mores HARDCORE SOA rigs. that said, you can make either way work wellAfter reading all of this information I'm even more unsure about what I want to do. 
Decisions, decisions.
Decisions, decisions.
I'm in the panhandle of FLorida, the nearest rocks is Bogs and Boulders rec park in alabama. I went SUA 4" lift on 33's and I've never looked back. it's stiff, but not as bad as worn out oem and bias tires. I don't get into a lot of hills, and rocks. more like bulldozing thru deer trails, over fallen trees, and haulin' azz down huntin' trails in the off-season. Man, I hit 2nd gear comin' around those corners. I'd rather have the lower center of gravity
