rocky road bolt on soa???

[jipjip]

i went to rocky road outfitters.com and found a bolt on soa kit.... has anyone used this, or know someone who used it???
it seems like a fairly straight forward kit, but i don't know if i like the bolt on idea....i woulnd't mind welding all that much, but what appealed to me the most is the price. $600 w/ shocks!!!!! that's amazing for an soa kit this complete.
what do you guys think???

 

[NomadJeep]

got a link?

The only one I knew of was the bolt on kit Full Traction Kit.

It worked, but known problems were this:

Still have to upgrade steering.  (MORE kit runs around $500)

Still need rear traction bar.  SOA is great, but develops a ton of Axle Wrap.  Traction bars are necessary to prevent.  (Sam's off road: $299)

Then lastly you have the one problem with bolt on kits.  It gives you brackets for using stock axles, so using a Dana 35 and then lifting it it will usually net you 5.5 inches without lift springs.  So most guys want to jump to a tire size that matches, and then combine wheel hop if there is no track bar and the axle goes pop very quick.

However, that is not the main complaint I have heard, the main complain is that it does not allow any changes of pinion angle.  Being it clamps off the lower mount, and then transfers that platform to a new upper mount and (c-clamps the axle) you loose the ability to dial in your suspension with ease like a weld on perch would.  You can still use shims, but a lot of guys were freaking when you mix all those bolted parts, and still use shims that often loosen on their own anyway

The cheapest way out I have seen is to do it the regular way:

Stock Springs, or RE SOA springs with reverse eye, or BDS 2.5 spring (if RE springs add another $595)

Sam's Track Bar: $299.  Or MORE's : $225.

Steering Correction Kit:  MORE's: $670.

It is usually easier to cut off what you already have, buy new weld on spring perches and thus you can get them longer for SOA to lessen wheel hop.

Cost: $90 for F&R.  New shock mounts, cheap...


and then most guys want to make better uppers mounts to prevent shock bind against frame with long travel.  Cheapest is Ford F150 mounts.  Or you can get a full out kit with all parts: $307.

So, if you can cut and weld, and use stock springs, you can get away with a kick ass system for $1000, to $1200.

And if you can weld, I would think you could get a shop to do it for $300 or so....


Best part is welding them on will allow you to adjust everything perfect, get your pinion angle perfect, etc...

 

[jon]

I honestly would never want to trust a bolt on SOA.

but Damon is going along the right track.

heres my spin.  Springs do what you want, but 2.5" BDS springs will  be TALL.  the RE leafs are nice

Track bar you can easily make your self if you can weld. (flor much cheaper)

Steering wise, I reccomend that if you want to go SOA go at least 44s front and rear at the same time.  front it makes the high steer much easier and cheaper.  also if you are going soa you wnat bigger tires and bigger tires need bigger axles

Spring perches.  You can buy factory perches from any dodge dealer ship for $7.00 a pair.  so $14 front and rear  (use a track bar to stop axle wrap)

f150 shock mounts  then go get som chevy truck front brakes lines and call it done.


I also agree.  welding is the way to go.  then you can adjust your pinion agle to run a CV drive shaft.

 

[jipjip]

as far as axles go, i just picked up a ford 8.8 for the rear, and am planning on staying w/ the d30 front. i know the 30 is capable of holding up to 37's w/ beefed u-joints, and i'm only running 33's w /a max of 35's in the future...
i want to do a drop pitman arm,and drop drag link for the steering setup, which i know people have run w/ no problems before, but will that interfere w/ the re springs????
i either do it this way, or go sua w/ the re 4.5" kit and call it a day.

 

[NomadJeep]

from a guy who does not want to spend the money again, I am one of those guys that is stuck with a SUA because I did not go the better way.

SOA is far far better.  Killer flex, great ride...  But the bolt on method is just not as well spent as doing it your self...


Get the right parts, and go spring over.

For me, instead of forgetting about the $800 plus I have already spent on my SUA lift, and then spend another $1300 to switch it to a SOA, I would just rather sell the Jeep and build the Rubi    :rotflmao:

 

[bobnoxious]

And if you can weld, I would think you could get a shop to do it for $300 or so....

Are you saying a shop would do an entire SOA job for this much? Or just the welding to the axles?

 

[NomadJeep]

Just welding the perches, shock mounts and track bar tab...


the lift needs to be done by your self

 

[bobnoxious]

Just welding the perches, shock mounts and track bar tab...


the lift needs to be done by your self

Thanks :grinyes:

 

[jon]

as far as axles go, i just picked up a ford 8.8 for the rear, and am planning on staying w/ the d30 front. i know the 30 is capable of holding up to 37's w/ beefed u-joints, and i'm only running 33's w /a max of 35's in the future...
i want to do a drop pitman arm,and drop drag link for the steering setup, which i know people have run w/ no problems before, but will that interfere w/ the re springs????
i either do it this way, or go sua w/ the re 4.5" kit and call it a day.

Go SOA.  if you do SOA on stock height leafs you can get away with just a drop pitman arm.  High Steer is great but expensive on a wrangelr 30. 

al

 

[jipjip]

ok, after the wrenchfest on sunday, i learned a lot about soa's and sua setups.
i was going to fork out the money (which i have been saving for 6 months),and buy the sua re 4.5"xd kit.
but now i come on today (monday), and your all saying do soa.... can i do soa for the same price as this kit, or is it gonna cost me a LOT more. either way, i wan't to stick w/ the d30 up front, and i have an 8.8 for the rear i just picked up.
plus, i just baught 33's, and would hate to have TOO MUCH lift for these after i just baught them.
what do you guys think???? stick w/ the sua kit???
or just go for it and do SOA????

 

[jipjip]

did some more re-searching, and don't exactly know what i really need for SOA!!!

the re soa kit- $310
ladder bar for spring wrap by more- $225
shock extensions?????- front-$80
                                rear-$80
shocks?????-$??? i don't know which shocks to get, cause i can't find any that can do over 5.5" of lift  :why:
help!!!!