Its been a while since I seen a bitch session on here, so I just had to get one going.
As the title suggests, I don't like springover conversions. I don't think they do much really except raise the centre of gravity and give you more flex and the ability to run bigger tyres.
So now is your chance to voice your opinions on this topic.
Do you like SOA, or do you hate them
80 Series on 35" creepies, manual with twin factory lockers.
0272417757
Any suspension lift is going to raise the centre of gravity, if you want bigger flex and to be able to run bigger tyres its an evil you may have to endure. Also gives you a bit more ground clearance by moving the springs up out of the way
fair call though, if you don't need the height.
I don't like SOA because I have already experienced dirty side up .
However on a very recent ORE Reefton Trip, H2o and myself with the same vehicles and tyres, H2o with SOA and mine with SUA, on several sections of the tracks H2o was able to drive without getting hung up and I was left with the only option of a lot more sandal. So yes the diffs are in the same position but there's alot less other mechanical pieces to get caught up on, so I'll have,
love mine to bits ! but i have VERY sagged out old springs that are nearly flat when sitting so my truck is actually quite low by comparison but all my g.box and T case are up and out of the way and i can run 36" tyres no probs...and i have wide stance so that makes me even more stable
SOA WTFPWNS !
If you already know everything, DON'T ask bloody questions!!
There is always the mechanical arguement as well. Weight of the truck is supported on the axle housings versus being supported by just the U bolts.
My old 60 series was a pig of a thing for getting hung up on all the springs and shit hanging off the bottom of the axle. 'Lux is spring over by default, and I prefer it that way .
Ugly is a state of mind..... and the state of my truck!
Rangielux wrote:Gooonne - all gone. So if anyone see's it doin bad things up Thompsons, where the young fella from Hams is keen to use it - it's NOT me
Saw it up Thomos last weekend, none of use could believe how cheap he got it off you for
He was up there on his own tearing the place up lol I was amazed how good it looked and how well it went!!
Landy SIIa winch truck- 350 chev powered, cruiser axles, 36" simexs - classic goodness
Hilux KUN expedition ute with all the bling
SMOKEY wrote:However on a very recent ORE Reefton Trip, H2o and myself with the same vehicles and tyres, H2o with SOA and mine with SUA, on several sections of the tracks H2o was able to drive without getting hung up and I was left with the only option of a lot more sandal.
that was a very interesting trip and discussion smokey.. i enjoyed the chance to compare rigs..
Goose wrote:SOA is a mod, and mods are cool, therfore SOA is cool
This discusion is sort of like the tryaback vs non trayback arqument. I guess its each to their own and where in the country you are.
Down in hillbilly country, they dont have hills and sidlings like we do. So they dont need to be too stable. I like my trucks low and wide. Hillybillys like them high??
I have provided a demo to prove my point
Does mike look worried about rolling and having his head above the windscreen and dying if he even has a gentle roll
Low, as in all torn down and in peices, and wide, as in spread from arse hole to breakfast time all over the old mans' yard.
Has anyone actually seen Turoa driving his own truck?
Ugly is a state of mind..... and the state of my truck!
I've done the SOA conversion on my old saggy springs and i reckon its one of the best mods i've done as far as improving my trucks off road performance. Sure the height things a trade off (although i put mine on its side more than once with spring under ) but given the variety of terrain i travel its been well worth it for me. Now i just need to get my transfer gears and bigger tyres to get the diffs right up out of the way
Last edited by H2OLOVA on Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I don't have any practical experience with them but if your worried about raising the roll center run wider rims or a wider offset?
Hell for what i can see in benefits with higher ground clearance and the ability to run taller tyres with more clearance again it seems like a fantastic idea.
Ah Goose, thank god for your ability to put things in a nice simple way that we can all understand... that makes total sense... As long as we understand what "mods" are... ie: SOA = mod, CB aerial and alloy nudgebar = NOT mod.
My 2C on SOA - it shouldn't affect the handling too badly if its done properly - ie: high steer and renew the shock absorbers and use low-ish and flat-ish springs to avoid a ridiculous amount of lift. Also, assuming you are doing this for offroad ability you are likely to mix it with bigger tyres and probably a wider offset which should help the stability issue (if it actually proves to be one).
Steve
Goose wrote:But of course you're all missing the main thing.......
The cool factor.
SOA is a mod, and mods are cool, therfore SOA is cool
There you go!! All sorted out for you in the finest Jeremy Clarkson fashion!
Which is what people who do it want 
Whatever you do will have a tradeoff somewhere.
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but i have VERY sagged out old springs that are nearly flat when sitting so my truck is actually quite low by comparison but all my g.box and T case are up and out of the way 
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