Full Traction Spring Over Axle kit - opinions???

[TwistedCU]

http://www.full-traction.com/detail.php?MODELID=2&MAKEID=1&TYPEID=1&PRODUCTID=147&NOTES=10,18

I think I may have mentioned this before, but this is a bolt-on SOA kit. I was wondering if anybody knows anyone who has used this kit and any thoughts?

I have a set of YJ stock springs of a buddy's Jeep (91 4.0L) that are in excellent condition (mine are shot) that I could use for this. I know I need to do other mods but this looks like it would take alot of hassle out of the SOA conversion. The only drawback I caoud see would be leaving the spring under perches in place takes away from the clean look/cleaner clearance.

edit - ive seen them advertised for around $435 with the disconnects.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I'm not big on the bolt-on spring perches, even more that can come loose and/or fail. That and you still need the SYE. A SOA can be done for cheaper, better.

 

[Snitty]

all you are buying are spring perches and swaybar endlinks.... you can buy them in total for well under $100 bucks... just can't be afraid to do some welding... plus... depending on your spring condition... you might have to use axle shims to point your pinion... i'd rather measure it and weld it

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Looking at the picture, are you really getting $435 worth?

 

[Snitty]

if it came with the SYE and driveshaft, then yeah... otherwise... no way

 

[TwistedCU]

94 XJ for $1,000!?!? sweeet.

The springs I have are OEM replacements that were on a friend's YJ (he just lifted it).

I kind of expected that response from you guys . As being the "build it yourself from the gound up" types that you are I can appreciate your input, but this kit is the only SOA that I could do in my driveway with the tools I have and have it done in a weekend.

The kit is designed to maintain the proper pinion angle, so that shouldn't be an issue. It uses the stock centerpins as a reference so you cant screw up the mounting and throw everything out of whack.

As far as strength, the original spring perches are left in and the hardware looks to be stout. I am not at all concerned about the strength, Full Traction is a reputable company and I just don't think that will be a factor.

As far as it being cost-effective, when you don't weld or even have a welder then the cost-effectiveness seems a lot better - and it comes with a pitman arm and discos - it may actually save me money as opposed to paying for the welding. Another factor is it looks like I could do this as a weekend project and I would never be able to do that with welded perches.

I know I will need a SYE, brakelines, etc. but they would be needed for any lift that high.
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I guess I look at the time saved, and the fact that errors on mounting the perches at the wrong angle are virtually eliminated and basically the overall simplicity of it, I'm probably going to go this route.

I am curious to see or hear from someone who has used it though or maybe a review...

 

[Joopin]

It does seem a bit costly for a kit like this, but you are paying for the fabrication of those pieces TO BE bolt on, not to mention the convenience of doing it in your driveway, not having to weld, correcting mistakes like perch placement, pinion angles, etc. in a matter of minutes rather than grinding and re-welding. Sure welding would be my preferance too, but if I didn't have access to one I would have done this route definately.
If installed correctly I don't think there will be any problems with anything "coming loose" but I would use lots of lock washers for some peace of mind! I would also re-torque all the bolts and nuts after a break in period. I say go for it, it's not like these companies just put out any old idea without engineering and testing it themselves... especially something that is going offroad.

One thing I was curious about, you said that the spring under perches will still be in place... why? Does the kit require to use them? If not, chop those babys off!

 

[jps4jeep]

For a bolt on kit, that is on the expensive side of pricing. How about a local jeeper to help you with the install. You are in PA now??? I am sure there is a jeeper, OR A GUY WITH A WHITE CHEVY that can help you weld those up!! Then it will be even more cost efficient! Search out all possible options prior to jumping the gun on droping that kind of cash! save some of that dinero for the SYE you might want to add down the road!!

 

[Junkpile]

It doesn't look like there's anything wrong with that kit. Sure I'd rather make all the components and weld them in place.....but if I didn't have the welder and other tools necessary to do it job, it would make this kit look alot more appealing to me. Not to mention the fact that a good 50% of the homegrown, buzz-box or flux-core MIG welded SOAs that I've seen are total crap. This is like the full-size axle swap kits that a couple of companies are making now, some people see it as a gimmick and waste of money but for some it's the only way the job will ever get done.

 

[redrooster]

If you use the kit, install it with Blue Loc Tite and Nylock nuts to keep anything from working loose.
What is the real benefit of this vs. putting a 4-6" lift on there? You will still have things dangling beneath the axle. With an SOA you will need to make some traction bars. Not necessary with a lift kit.
Food for thought: install a 4-6" lift kit and trim the fenders out to fit TJ flares if you need more clearance. YOu can do all this in a weekend without a welder too.
What size tire are we talking here?

 

[Junkpile]

I'll second the 4" spring lift idea. A BL or TJ flares will make up the difference, and you won't have to deal with all the negatives associated with the SOA with factory springs. At a certain level a SOA is necessary and as long as some lift springs are used with it they're nice, but I'm a big fan of leaving them SUA when possible.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

One thing I was curious about, you said that the spring under perches will still be in place... why? Does the kit require to use them? If not, chop those babys off!

The new perches clamp around the axletube at the spring perch and the stock perch acts to prevent the axle from spinning within this contraption.

When you put it like you did it doesn't sound like a bad alternative. But I'll second a SUA kit, I can run 34" tires with 3.5" springs, 1" BL, and TJ flares.

 

[Snitty]

i'm a big fan of spring over... the flex is amazing... you cannot get that sort of flex with a lift spring... just no way... and even the special "flexy" springs that companies put out... an arched spring just DOES NOT flex like a flatter spring... but us leaf springers still can't compete with the flex of a coil suspension

yet still... i cannot justify THAT much money in a bolt on kit

 

[TwistedCU]

I want to go spring over because even though this particular kit seems pricey, it it still a bargain for 5.5" lift. I already have a set of good springs for it and want to use them for the flex and ride that I would never get from a 4" spring.

I've kicked a few tire options around, not sure what I'll go with, but they will most likely be tall and thin (34x10.50 LTB or something similar) and will not be street friendly! Not really set on anything yet...

Oh yeah, this is the ONLY bolt-on SOA kit I have seen, and I've been looking for quite a while.

As to the ground clearance, it will only be the lower perches with a small skid plate on each one, not a spring, u-bolt plates,nuts,etc. So it will still have a higher clearance, admittedly not quite the same as a weld/cut job but close.

As to again justifying the cost - If it saves me one Sunday that I can go work a full day @ double time, it will more than pay for any extra cost. In other words, I can make more working DT in one day than I'd spend on getting this kit vs a weld/fab job. May not be the case for some, but it works for me.

Honestly I pretty much decided that's the kit I want a while back. Just looking for ideas,opinions and I appreciate all the feedback here folks.

 

[Snitty]

good to see a determined man

 

[TwistedCU]

Most people just come right out and say I'm hard headed. :lol:

What can I say, I am.

 

[currupt4130]

yea, im with the soa crowd, bigger arched springs take more to flex where as the stock ones sprung over flex easier because they can actually travel farther by flexing and manipulating the shackles as they flex, they wont max out the shackles like the 4 inch springs will do

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

If you like the tall and skinny pizza cutters like I do, check out the special service Swampers in 34"x9.5", tough bias-ply tire with 27/32" tread depth, almost the deepest of any swamper, nearly an inch. The LTB's are good, little softer tread that will wear faster than the SS Swamper, but they have the larger 3rd sidelug.

 

[TwistedCU]

Wow that's "Bogger" tread depth! I wonder if the SS are priced like the LTB's (cheap)?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Ya, real close to Bogger depth. Should last a lot longer than your average 21/32" or 17/32" swamper.