[iejeeper]

I am hoping to get some opinions on Spring Over lifts. I just purchased a bone stock 1988 Wrangler that is in need of an altitude adjustment. My plans are to drive her on and off road. Its my understanding that the SOA lift gives a good ride and the max suspension lift. Once raised I plan on installing a set of 37 12.50 17's on her.
I am planning on doing this lift in the garage and am curious to know what I can expect in the way of problems encountered during and as a result of this lifting process and what I should expect to pay start to finish.
Thanks.

[LOCKED UP]

Well,
What you pay depends on several things. Are you going to do all the work your self? Are you going to regear? Lockers? Etc? Are you wanting to use new springs or your stockers? With the 37s you'll likely need to get new wheels, and that rear d35 is gonna blow.


I can't tell you what you will pay exactly because you may go with name brenad stuff or the cheapo stuff, but here are some pricing ideas.

Steering - JB4x4 Steering arm & Draglink - $200
Spring perches - $60-90
Shocks - $100-200
SYE & Rear Driveshaft - About $400-550
Brake Lines - $100-120
You should replace the springs - $400-600
You'll need an anti spring wrap bar - $250-300
Wheels & tires - $800+
Rear XJ/TJD44 or 8.8 swap - $500 (you will want to do this now)
F&R regearing - $800 +
Add $500+ depending on what you want for lockers.

Not to mention purchasing of any tools you don't have ...

[BackRoadJPin]

if cost is a factor then walk away, a well setup soa will cost you, but once completed you will enjoy it.

I daily drive mine with 35 12.50 mtrs on trail ready bead locks.

I am running RE1444's in the front and RE1445's in the rear for my leaf springs, I made this swap just before my Moab trip over thanksgiving this past month.

I will tell you this the ride and flex quality was night and day compared to my old SUA 2" lift springs that I had installed.

make sure to factor in a good high steer or cross over steering (dependant upon what front axle you run with).

You will most likely need an anti wrap bar, the current spring setup I have still allowed for a lot more axle wrap than I am comfortable with, I still have one more thing to try before I head to the anti-wrap bar.

Locked Up touched on a good bunch of it, this is what I have to add...

[flame0086]

Welcome to the forum, there is some good info here.

Since you are new, we don't know much of your mechanic skills but, it sounds like you are not afriad to tackle projects. There will be welding involved, but you can get a shop to do it for you. If you google YJ SOA, you'll get lots of infomation. If you are going to go SOA, this would be the opertune time to swap in different axles. The rear D35 is junk but, the front D30 should hold up fine for running 35s. LOCKED UP has good list of things you'll want to address.

[daddoty]

Got mine stock put a ford 8.8 in it 4 suspension inch lift and a 2 inch body lift. Did not go with the spring over as i did not want to do the drive shaft thing. It drives fine. I am in the process of getting gears. Like they stated if cost is a factor then don't start it until you have the funds. What a difference in the dana 35 and the ford 8.8. Now I have a real rearend.

[crujones]

SOA can be pricy but not to much more than a SUA set up. If your going with 37s you need some decent axles to. But basically SOA rides like a caddy andflexes great. There are some ways to get the cost down.
-Spring purches can be made out of 2.5 inch square stock
-make bastard packs with the yj spring packs to avoid buying new spring packs
-you can make a good track bar out of some tub and 40 dollars worth of tractor parts
-xj rear springs can lengthen the rear driveshaft so you maybeable to get away with out a cv shaft(probly not but maybe)

The steering is onething you don't want to skimp on. As for axles you can find good deals if you shop around. besides an 8.8 or d44 you might want to consider toyota axles, ford 9 inch or 14 bolt. 37s are the highside for a stock d44. It all depends how much you like the stupid pedle.

If this is your first project buy or borrow a welder and get creative its the best way to learn.

[dell2028]

With 37's unless your really lucky or know someone with beefy axles with deep gears already installed your gonna have to tackle a regear with 37s. Axles are gonna be a must. Welding involved too. Don't get a "bolt on" SOA kit. Also, SYE and CV driveshaft for a lift that big. Springs, perches, steering, shocks, hardware, etc. Lots to think about, but also lots to enjoy. Take my word for it, do it right the first time and don't spread it out over a long time.

[bughunter]

Originally Posted by crujones

-xj rear springs can lengthen the rear driveshaft so you maybeable to get away with out a cv shaft(probly not but maybe)

are you talking about a stretch? i heard that its called a yj2xj kit....stretches rear out, using xj rear leaves....or am i mistaken?

not to highjack here or anything, but i was wondering about this. guy down the road from me has a stock 89, like mine. its lifted now, atleast 3'', says all he did was change the yj leafs to xj leaves(thought xj's were coil/leaf???) is this possible? said he didnt want to spend money on a lift, so he bought a junked xj and did that? is he full of sh#t or what??? or anyone hear of anything similar?

PS: gonna make a quick topic about this

[84 400]

37's on the dana 35c + big boom!