SOA with monoleaf?

[Yomie]

I know there are a couple of sports out there that have performed the SOA conversion, but my question is, did they all convert to the 4dr leafs first? Are the mono leafs just not strong enough? I'm just looking into insight on this, i am kinda having a hard time locating and aquiring the 4dr leafs near me. so would a SOA on a mono leaf be to weak?

 

[Jason_25]

Yes I beleive that's what Lizardtrac has done or what he used to run.

You won't get as much lift from it and I think axle wrap would be a big concern too.

 

[Harry5150]

I've done the SOA on mine. I decided not to go with a 4 door leaf pack because I figured it would be much more bouncy (kinda like if you've been in a truck with add-a-leafs).

I've towed stuff and hauled lots of stuff and I don't believe it's that bad.

On the max lift issue, if you want to go a little higher, you could put the stock shock spacers in between the axle and the monoleaf like lifting blocks. Although it may be a lot safer to go with one solid aftermarket block.

On the axle wrap problem I can't comment. I can't even get the wheels to hop like they used to with the stock tires when I floored it.

BTW, I did a do it yourself SOA with weld on spring perches for $16. Make sure that if you go this route, correct for the drive shaft angle into the differential.

 

[Yomie]

So you relocated the spacersback to the top, and placed the leaf directly onto the axle? (no spacers between the axle and leaf) is that correct. with doing it that way, how much lift do you think you gained? and what did you use for your rear shock mounts?

I appreciate your help harry

Pics would help if possible

 

[Harry5150]

I didn't use the spacers (yet) beacue I'm maxed out on the lift on the front end.

I'm guessing that I've got about 4.5" based on the below info.

3.25" for axle tube
0.50" for axle perch
0.50" for previous stock axle perch
0.25" for monoleaf thickness

For shock mounts I put the shock bolt into the bottom swaybar mounting hole.

I'm working on fabricating a new bracket that will double as a swaybar mouning bracket and shock mount but until then, no swaybar.

I haven't gotten around to changing the axle mounting plate either.

I'm glad I could help.

Dead Link Removed


Also, don't forget about the drive shaft angle. I made a little flash diagram.

Dead Link Removed

 

[Yomie]

Thank you VERY much, i appreciate it

 

[jharris]

Could you have put the shock back on the mount on top of the leaf spring?

 

[SCEXPLORER]

i'm a little confused about this drive shaft angle. Do u think by putting my 4" lift leaf spring that i would have to watch out for my driveshaft angle. I'm just wondering cus i hear this pop sound when i reverse out my driveway and was wondering if that was my driveshaft.

 

[Harry5150]

jharris -

I've tried to re-attach the shock at the plate (upside down) but it's way too high and the shock will probably bottom out at full compression.

Ray -

Mine pops on occasion, I think it may be the u-joint.
My concern with the angle was about wear (failure), kinda like when a CV joint binds when the angles are too sharp.


Harry

 

[SCEXPLORER]

So do i have that same angle problem? Do u know what the angle should be so i can measure mine to see?

 

[Harry5150]

I think you probably do, or anyone with a SOA would. Did you see the flash movie I made?

What I "should have" done was measured the angle between the axle and the diff and then recreated it when welding the perches on. My only solution now(after the fact) is to use a shim plate between the leaf and axle to correct the angle.

This will also compound the problem with the brake line being maxed out because hypotheticly the axle will be rotated backwards now.