I know we like project reportsà Here is mine
My body work was done, my motor work was done, but my steering was horrible with about 4-6 inches of play in it along with bump steer, the death wobble, etcà It was time to give the suspension and steering some love. Everything was stock and probably from 1982!!
If you ask me, for my 82Æ CJ-7, SOA was the only way to free up the significant space under the axle tubes. The area I am in here in Debary Florida is mostly soft sand, mud, and down trees (mostly pine).
The SOA was an easy modification. My problems were just getting some old parts off to place the new ones on. Earlier posts were on getting the Pitman Arm off. I broke 2 pullers before I inquired about a good technique to knock it off with some persuasion.
I planned and did replace all bushings with polyurethane bushings, purchased a new power steering box, drop pitman, and steering rod with new end links to complete the Axle Flip. For the brakes lines, I used longer steel braided lines to not limit travel. For everything else involved... one of my wheeler friends and I fabricated/welded as needed. He and his dad own a metal shop so it came in handy.
I still am using my stock springs, but I am in the market for some YJ springs as so many have done. I am looking for YJ, 5 Leaf- Rear Spring Packs for both the front and Rear. It is said that the YJÆs work well for CJ SOA because their length, their arc, and are slightly longer than the CJ springs. I understand the concept as the longer spring has more droop and will lay almost flat under load avoiding extra lift and they articulate better than arced springs during compression.
If any one has a set 5 Leaf- Rear Spring Packs that you are looking to get rid of, please let me know. (I need 2 sets). OR if you have an opinion of why to or not to do this, also please give your input.
No need for me to give the details of the entire process of SOA flips because so much can be researched and found on the Internet. Read a few, judge if itÆs for you. I LOVE IT!
The end result with my CJ7 was that the SOA did leave the ground clearance that I wanted. I am also able to use the tires I wanted; 36x12.50x15 Super Swampers on 15x10 rims. They do not rub at all and it looks like there is plenty of room for them. My steering woes were fixed. I no longer have bump steer and the death wobble seems to have gone away. The most important part, I have less than an inch of play in the steering wheel now (down from the earlier 4-6 inches) and that is most likely due to the big tires.
Thanks for the help I received from all of the fellow Jeepers out there.
Mike
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