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SOA to SUA

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by bardp, Mar 27, 2008.

  1. Mar 27, 2008
    bardp

    bardp Power Steering

    Concord, NC
    Joined:
    May 24, 2006
    Messages:
    69
    Hey all. I've let my CJ sit for awhile - here's why:

    [​IMG]

    Now that's she's 6 months old I'm starting to look back out in the garage with renewed Jeep fever. I'd like to take my Jeep back closer to stock. Currently it sits on 33's with a Spring Over Axle setup. I'd like to go down to 31's and spring under. How complicated will this be?
     
    bardp, Mar 27, 2008
    #1
  2. Mar 27, 2008
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    Messages:
    3,294
    cute kid......boy she's gonna eat into the Jeep fund :rofl:.....I'd bet pics of your steering/suspension will help the pros here answer your question better
    Jim S,
     
    bkd, Mar 27, 2008
    #2
  3. Mar 27, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    419
    I'm just going the other way . . .
    You'll need to pull your axles, cut off and re-weld new axle perches, replace your bump stops (if they are long now), replace your brake lines (if they are long now), replace your pitman arm (maybe your drag link if it is Z'd), and you might need to shorten your drive lines.
    Should be easier than going the other way!
     
    drexotic, Mar 27, 2008
    #3
  4. Mar 30, 2008
    bardp

    bardp Power Steering

    Concord, NC
    Joined:
    May 24, 2006
    Messages:
    69
    some pics:

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    [​IMG]
     
    bardp, Mar 30, 2008
    #4
  5. Mar 31, 2008
    Dana

    Dana Think Pink

    Jamaica Beach, Texas
    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2006
    Messages:
    370
    Maybe the two of you can swap suspensions, lol.
     
    Dana, Mar 31, 2008
    #5
  6. Mar 31, 2008
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    Well fortunately the front still has the perches, so it just involved swapping the springs. Do you know if the springs are stock or lifted? Either way you should still be able to fit te 33s for now. The rear you will need to weld on new bottom perches. Might be easier to find a rear axle still setup for spring under. The front still has the spring paltes with the shovck mounts. The shocks look like htey may jsut work since they look to be compressed real bad now. Looks like you will need a stock pitman arm also, you can probably trade somebody pretty easy, as alot of people are looking for a drop pitman arm. It wont be that bad for you to go back SUA.
     
    DanStew, Mar 31, 2008
    #6
  7. Mar 31, 2008
    Dummy

    Dummy I kick hippies

    Escondido, CA
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2004
    Messages:
    646
    Hey, the front is gonna be simple. Just buy some lift springs in the height you want and bolt them in. Don't worry about the brake lines, etc. Looks fine. I'd look for a stock pitman arm, or at least one with less drop, though. Skyjacker, Rubicon Express, etc. make them for '70s CJs with the manual steering box like yours. You can't use a later power steering box pitman arm on it because the sector shaft of the manual box is a larger diameter.

    As for the rear, if you can weld, just weld on some new spring perches with the pinion angle set to the height of the new springs and that's about it. I'd look into some new shackles, though. The ones I see in the photos are a little hack. And bolt that flex line to the rear axle housing. The way it is now those hard lines will work harden from vibration and flex and will eventually snap.

    Also, you'll need some new U-bolts and U-bolt plates. Check Quadratec or 4WD Hardware for HD plates. Your suspension may come with the U-bolts. I'd recommend a 2.5-inch lift for 31s.

    Cute girl. My youngest son has the same excersaucer. Enjoy.
     
    Dummy, Mar 31, 2008
    #7
  8. Apr 2, 2008
    bardp

    bardp Power Steering

    Concord, NC
    Joined:
    May 24, 2006
    Messages:
    69
    I appreciate all the replies. I sent these same pics to my local 4x4 shop and was quoted $1200 for labor. Looks like a DIY. I've got some other issues to work out before I tackle this so it may be something I change my mind on by the time I'm ready get started.

    Thanks.
     
    bardp, Apr 2, 2008
    #8
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