look at the recent posts about moab, lots of pics of lifted jeeps in action. nice rig!

 

here is one from the ajc readers rig pages:

 

another:

 

Looks like you need to go with a 33x10.50 like I did on my Commando,barely fit with about an 1 1/4 frt lift and 2 1/4 rear lift. I still have the narrow factory wheels though. I've trimmed the fenders since and it looks and performs awesome off road! With the setup you have with jeepster and alcans should be no problem unless wheel off set is too much. Oh yeah pay attention when turning really tight,the tires will rub the springs. Get out the sawsall and get those rear fenders opened up. You'll appreciate if anything the looks. Nate

 

Hey that's MY Jeepster! I had 3" of body lift and 4" of Alcan on it at the time with 33 12.50 15" MTR's on it. It ate up the tires every time I had it off road.

 

In reply to:

can I do a SOA with the springs that I have now?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes
Some of the guys (me too) installed a two inch block. The block can be cut at an angle to make it a wedge-lift combo to help you pinion angle. My rig with 31's:
http://highwayshouse.net/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album08&page=4

After a SOA 31's will look like roller skate wheels.

 

Here are a few pictures of my 72. It's SOA on the stock axles. Those are 35x12.5 R15 BFG AT's on it. In the background is my 94 YJ with about 1.5" of lift and 31's.

 

Welcome Over. You bought that in Mt. Airy, Maryland, yes? A few of us were looking at that one but couldn't close the deal. Had it around the block yet?

 

Heh, nope not yet.

Yep, it did come from Mt. Airy.

And, if you are familiar with it, you are familiar with it's stated 30MPH vibration. Which, from looking at the driveshaft ujoint angles, I am sure it has.

Before I bought it, I sent him an email specifically asking for pictures of the angles, and they are worse in person than they are in the pictures I had received.

I am going to fix the angles by cutting off, fabbing, and welding new perches onto it, with better angles. And then, prolly get two CV dshafts. However, it's a matter of time right now really. My DD YJ is in the process of spitting out it's trans, and the 318K mi engine has started tapping something fierce. So, my time is going into that right now.

Also, it need help in the body dept, but the frame seems solid. Also, it runs well, but needs a rewire, and smokes a bit on startup.

Thanks for the welcome. Nice to be here.

 

Can't complain about 318K miles. I'm glad I passed on it - it forced me to concentrate on the project I already started. It's been a blast - a little frustrating but still a blast. Like someone mentioned above, try to make plans to come to the Jam later this month.

 

IIRC, the Jam conflicts with another run I am doing with the CJ-5 (SWB) mainly. And, next weekend, a run for the 715...

So, unfortunatley this month is booked for me. I am hoping to get to the next one though. And, god willing, I'll be able to bring the commando.

 

Jayster - There's really only one solution to your dilemna - I was suffering from the same thing - You must buy a second Jeepster. Keep that one the way it is and start lifting and hacking on the other one. I put 5" Nationals on the back of my 70, 4" Alcans on the front and 33 X 12.5 inch tires. I definitely had to cut up the back. The rockers were less than an inch away from my tires before I started cutting. I'm on 15X8 rims and it would probably be different if I had gone with 10.5 tires but the price was right on these tires. Now I have a nice stock 68 with a keeper tub that will never see a sawzall blade. Well, that's the plan this week anyway.

 

Yeah, I hear ya. I guess my only choice is to just give in and cut the wells. Its just turning into a major PITA working around the rear wells. I think I am going to try to cut the rear to match the lines of the front fender wells. What I am wonder though, is there a difference in springs used for SOA vs. SUA?

 

Well, I had originally thought my springs were stock. But looking at them last weekend, I don't think that the stock springs would be that arched.

Also, I was intending to use XJ springs to replace mine (both front and rear) when I go to the D-44, Ford 9" combo, but the rear commando springs (mine, anyway) are way longer than the XJ springs.

 

I think most of the SOA conversions were done with the old stock springs. If, you can find replacement stock height springs - that would probably be a better way to go as the 30 year old springs are more than likely wasted. I've also read some posts where some people use custom made (such as Alcan) lift springs for their SOA. But why would you need more than 5-6 inches lift achieved from a SOA unless you really wanted to move up to 35 and larger tires? That leads into other more expensive necessary upgrades.

 

Well, it's on 35's now. And, frankly while it looks cool as all getout, my CJ-5 is the trail rig, and I really don't need the C-104 that high, per se.

I was just looking at the springs, and it didn't look stock. There just seemed to be too much arch to em. Plus, I'd rather run 2.5" wide springs front and rear. Hence my looking for another spring (better ride).

Will a commando clear 35's with only a SOA? And, no fender trimming?

 

If they are the originals, I'd say they have been re-arched at least... IMO

 

Width of tire and rim backspacing needs to be considered. I put 5-6 inch lift springs SUA on the back of mine and 4 inch lift springs up front. The tires are 33 X 12.5 on 15X8 rims with 2.75 backspacing. I had to trim the rear and rotten rockers but not the front. A narrower tire would fit inside the rear but then you're SOA with skinny tires - not a very big footprint on narrow axles, top heavy, etc. I did many searches and looked at everyone's combos, realized my skill/fabrication level, finances and chose my path. Time will tell if it works - hopefully soon. If you do a search for "suspension" or "lift" or "35" or "tires" etc. and reset the default search back button to "All" posts you'll get a dizzying amount of data to look through.

 

If ya look at my Jeepster, you can see that the tires are not near the fenders.

The rims are AR-23's 15 x 10, I beleive.