How effective is...

[Toygeek]

SPOA with stock springs? What can I expect to ramp with nothing more than a SPOA and 31's? And of course the proper shocks etc. Do the spring mounts require mods to put in the YJ springs? Thanks for the explanation!! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[bobaki]

DONT KNOW RAMP NUMBERS,BUT IT WILL DO THE CON WITH RELATIVE EASE THOUGH

[poppycock]

isn't it something like 21" ish with that setup? i'm just guessing... know it wouldn't be more than 25". save yourself the headache and regret and go yj's spoa first. if you don't you'll wish you had. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Toygeek]

Originally posted by poppyseed:
<STRONG>isn't it something like 21" ish with that setup? i'm just guessing... know it wouldn't be more than 25". save yourself the headache and regret and go yj's spoa first. if you don't you'll wish you had. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

OK Cool. So what mods are required to get in YJ springs? Which springs are used, all 4 stock springs from a YJ? Or just the fronts or rears? I'm not familiar with this mod at all. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

Thanks for your help! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[0ILBURNER]

I have to disagree here - I took a look at Toygeek's webpage, and would have to classify this project as a "novice". Going with a simple SPOA is an Excellent suspension to cut your teeth on a Samurai - for many people, it's all they ever need. If you aren't interested in the most extreme stuff, 32's gears & lockers will take you 95% of the places there are to ride IMHO. Take the money from the Wrangler suspension & put it towards your gears & lockers. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[ 09-27-2001: Message edited by: 0ILBURNER ]

[ 09-27-2001: Message edited by: 0ILBURNER ]

[Toygeek]

Its true. I'm not a hardcore 4 wheeler but that's because I don't have a rig for it. That's why I want a samurai, so I can build a cheap rig to get going with. If I went with the wrangler suspension, I'd have the work done anyway. I'm just trying to decide if its really worth it, sounds like itisn't for me <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[fatkid]

My stock springs worked for awhile, when I changed them though it was time. Talk about clapped out, I lost about 2 inches of stock lift. Run'n till they die. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[0ILBURNER]

Toy-Geek,

I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem to hook up with some local 'Zukers and ride along with them & see 1st-hand the differences in each level of suspension. Then you would have a better foundation to make your decision(s) on.

When I started, a simple SPOA & 31" AT's were more than enough, but eventually I wanted more <IMG SRC="smilies/grinpimp.gif" border="0">
It is a common story....

[Rudezuk]

I have to agree with Poppy here, if you are going to do the work, do it right the first time!! Go YJ's, you can get a set of used YJ spring from your local junkyard for about $75-100, get some YJ spring perches for the wider springs, stock YJ shackles and some longer shocks, if you want to go the cheap route for the driveline you can use a spacer or a longer slip yoke, but you be much happier with the set up!!! I have been running YJ's for years now and love them!.....Until i convert to coils that is....

[Toygeek]

So the difference in the springs is the width, and of course the spring rate etc?

I plan on having this work done, so hopefully it won't cost an arm and a leg to get the YJ springs done at the same time as the SO. Spacers on the drivelines would probably work for me, although I like lengthened drivelines better <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[0ILBURNER]

RueZuk, I would be interested in seeing some pictures of your YJ springs installed on your Samurai - specifically how you mounted them with those shackles. I take it you widened the stock frame-mount for the springs?

Thanks-

[Rudezuk]

This is the only pic i had here at work that showed the front set up, i made a custom bumper for the front and then attached the spring hangers to the extended frame in the front. But as you can see in the pic these are the stock YJ shackles. This is with stock YJ springs and 33" TSL radials.
<IMG width=882 height=597 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/SammiLilSlu21.jpg">

[0ILBURNER]

Looks great - also looks like a lot of work & dough if you're paying someone to do it, tho <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">
I'll say it again: For the novice 'wheeler, you get a LOT of bang for the buck with a simple spring-over. For what it would cost to pay somebosy to set up Wrangler's as nice as your set-up, you could easily pay for lockers or gears....

[Rudezuk]

You are right there oilburner....I have a welder and the will to do this myself...Pretty much the only thing i wont do my self is drivelines and gears...everything else ill attempt...but if I were to pay for all of this it would add up quick!

[poppycock]

well if you take it to a shop and tell them you want to change the whole suspension... your gonna need a big bottle astro-glide. i'd try and hook up with someone on the board. keep in mind, if you go to a shop even if it's just for a simple spring over... they are gonna hurt wallet.

[Brooks Worman]

Your from Reno; it cost 900 for me to do a SPOA with stock springs at Shaffer's in Carson, just an idea.

[Ray Lafreniere]

Your from Reno; it cost 900 for me to do a SPOA with stock springs at Shaffer's in Carson, just an idea.

Hell, if you're gonna spend $900 on a simple SPOA with the stock springs at Shaffer's, then you might as well spring for the complete coil kit for only $1500.

[fatkid]

Yup <IMG SRC="smilies/idea.gif" border="0">

[Brooks Worman]

You got me there, but it was all I could afford at the time, I'm going to coils soon though.

[Gozuki]

$900!!!! Oh my God! I think I spent under $100 bucks the first time I did a spoa w/ stock springs...And by the way, for moderate wheeling w/32" or less tires, this is a very cheap and effective way to go...

[zuk88]

Toygeek,
I was running stock springs SPOA/shackle reversed for years. It was a cost effective way to get more flex and lift. I ran the Fordyce creek trail a few years ago with no problems. Last month I ran the Rubicon with a set of rear YJ springs and the Calmini shackle reversed front with stock springs. The rear severly out flexed the front, now I'm going YJ's and missing links on the front. If you want to be cost effective go SPOA with stock springs, you'll be happy for awhile.......when you see other zuks on the trail watch what works and what don't and choose what works for you and your driving style(or wallet size). Go to Suzuki on the Rocks next year, there was not two zuks there with the same suspention. You could get a lot of ideas there, I sure did(like swap in toy axles!!!). <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Toygeek]

Hey guys thanks for all of the cool ideas! You guys rock! I'm used to Land Cruiser folks and you guys seem just as friendly <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

I also wheel with a bunch of land cruiser guys <a href=http://www.battleborncruisers.com">click here for the website</A> and I look forward to getting a 'zuk. My wife and I have looked at zuks and early toyotas, and I must say we like the zuks better because they both seat 4, AND they are really cheap to boot <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Looks like I'll be going SPOA (Shaffers will do it I hope) but I wonder how much a coil kit would cost inistalled? I live in an apartment so I really can't do the install myself <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

What, realisticly, is the largest tire I can put on stock axles, and keep it reliable? I will take care of the gearing with a new TC <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Thanks again everyone!

[foley]

Originally posted by Newbie Hazing Toygeek:
<STRONG>Hey guys thanks for all of the cool ideas! You guys rock! I'm used to Land Cruiser folks and you guys seem just as friendly <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

I also wheel with a bunch of land cruiser guys <a href=http://www.battleborncruisers.com">click here for the website</A> and I look forward to getting a 'zuk. My wife and I have looked at zuks and early toyotas, and I must say we like the zuks better because they both seat 4, AND they are really cheap to boot <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Looks like I'll be going SPOA (Shaffers will do it I hope) but I wonder how much a coil kit would cost inistalled? I live in an apartment so I really can't do the install myself <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

What, realisticly, is the largest tire I can put on stock axles, and keep it reliable? I will take care of the gearing with a new TC <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Thanks again everyone!</STRONG>

Do you own a pickup truck or know someone who does? If so you can do a spring over for about $75 (not including shocks, spend what you want there) with a drill and 4 jackstands.

Set the truck on the stands, take the axles out 1/2 day on a weekend with no air tools.

Buy a set of replacment spring perches from your local 4x shop, should be about $30 (and NOT worth it, but if you do not have metal fab skills you gotta take what you can get)

Take the axles (in the required pickup truck) to your local welder, and have him weld the new perches on, shouldn't be more than $20.

Go to a junkyard and buy a set of shock towers from an F250

Bolt the shock towers to the frame, and put the axles back in the truck (under the springs this time).

Take measurements for the replacement shocks and necessary driveline spacer.

Not sure how much these two will cost ya, depends on how relentlessly you pursue "increased bitchinness" and how much money you have.

I am sure you can do the mods yourself, INCLUDING have the driveshafts lengthened and rebuilt, for $500 or less.

$400 will buy all the parts to do the gears, just gotta save some $$ to get someone to do it (and keep the jackstands and pickup truck handy)