Sport Trac SOA conversion question

[chad551]

I know I have asked about this before but here goes again:

1. Will the stock driveshaft have enough slip yoke for a SOA?

2. For those who have done this, did you remove the flat overload spring?

 

[Dannyboy]

Yes it will possibly have enough slip, but when you have any additional downtravel you are that much closer to losing it. You also need to think about how at normal ride, the power was distributed with 2.5-3" of the splines lining up, when it's stretched you only have about 1.5-2" of splines lining up. That's going to be a weak spot. Any axle wrap will also make it proned to falling out.

I ran mine for a long time at stock length BUT it failed twice 1) while locking up the brakes on pavement (think axle wrap and downtravel as the rear of the vehicle was lifting up) 2) while wheel hopping over an obstacle (more axle wrap and down travel)

You may fine but there's always the gamble.

 

[chad551]

The perches I bought are about 8" long, so that will help with axle wrap.

 

[John_Rock]

Just go for it!

I did my SOA back in March 2003. I have never had any problems with the original steel one until I hit it on something and bent it. But, it still never came out. Then I got an aluminum one from a Ranger in a junkyard. It's worse than the steel ones we have, but it still never slip off the yoke. But, by the time I replaced it with another steel one I had twisted the splines.

 

[chad551]

What about the big @ss overload spring?

 

[John_Rock]

What about the big @ss overload spring?

I never removed anything. I just had to make some brackets to keep them from turning sideways. They slow turned on me and the drivers side one eventually started to grap the gas tank skid plate and bent the corner of it before I discovered what was going on.

But if you follow Dannyboy's SOA that wouldn't be necessary. His square u-bolts keep the load springs in check.

This is how took care of the brake lines...

 

[Gse Brent]

If you do the soa conversion could you still throw warrior shackles in the rear or is it not needed?

 

[John_Rock]

If you do the soa conversion could you still throw warrior shackles in the rear or is it not needed?

I have the warrior shackles with my SOA. It's up to you if you want to do it or not.