If I find a mj d44 do I convert to Sao or not, what's best for lift

[Baby blue]

Hypothetically speaking if I find a d44 do I go soa or is there a better way?

[benjy_26]

Up to you and how much lift you want. I personally haven't gone SOA because I drive a lot of highway miles with mine (the taller the vehicle, the worse the mpg), and I don't want to lift loads into the bed more than I have to. What can I say? I'm lazy!

[gogmorgo]

What do you plan on using the truck for?

Going soa allows you to keep the factory springs, which will ride better than lift springs will. It also increases the chance of axle wrap, which is detrimental in situations where you apply lots of power, like drag racing or rock crawling.

The biggest difference is that it removes most of the stuff hanging under the axle, which increases ground clearance. This is the main purpose of doing it. If in your mind the pros outweigh the cons, I'd say go for it. But in my mind they don't. As was said, I just don't want that much lift.

[Baby blue]

Alright thanks, now to see what's at the junk yard.

[Pete M]

what do you plan to do with the truck?

[Baby blue]

Summertime cruiser, no mud or trails. Truck is rear wheel drive but I want at least 31s

[89eliminator]

if you are only going to run 31s, then do not SOA it.  way too much lift for that small of tire.  don't lift it more than 3".

[gogmorgo]

SOA will lift at least the height of the pack. Using a much flatter spring than factory, the lowest so far I've seen SOA lift was 4.5". With a stock spring, you're looking at 5-6" lift. 31's will fit at factory height, and will look ridiculous with 6" lift if that's what you end up with.

[Megadan]

I have a 2" Budget lift up front and new leaf springs from General Spring, which actually gave about 1" more lift than OEM springs according to the factory ride height measuring methods.  Currently I have 235/75-15 tires, and short of a set of lift shackles to raise the rear 1" to restore some rake, I am quite happy with my current ride height. It sits nearly level front to rear with just the slightest bit of rake.  Now I wish I had larger tires, but it doesn't look bad.  I think with 31x10.5-15 tires it would be perfect.

Forgive the picture quality, but this should give you an idea. 

[yxmj]

Look at my Avatar...(I don't know if you can zoom in)

that is stock rear spring under on 31's

. :MJ 1: .

[benjy_26]

You can look at my build thread pics as well. Mine's a 2wd SportTruck with a 2.5. I have damned near 3" of lift in the front, none in the back, and 31's on high offset wheels. I have a bit of "Arizona rake", but it rides well and has plenty of clearance for the larger tires and higher offset wheels.

[Incommando]

if you are only going to run 31s, then do not SOA it.  way too much lift for that small of tire.  don't lift it more than 3".

this

[Baby blue]

Thanks, no mj d44's in Chicago junk yards. It's back to the drawing board.

[Megadan]

Get a ford 8.8 and do a SUA swap with it.  Plenty of them around, wide variety of stock ratios from 3.07 to 4.10 with factory limited slipsm close to the right width, and considered to be just a bit stronger than the Dana 44.  A little bit of easy fab work for the spring perches is all that would be needed, and if you can't do it yourself, most off road or hot rod shops could do the setup work and welding for not too much money.

[mikekaz1]

 

3" coils up front and MT springs +1" shackle.

 

2" front typically levels factory rake,

 

compared to stock, I sit level +1 in front and +2 in back to restore some rake.

and I fit 33x12.5 with minor rubbing on full lock turns

[yxmj]

 

3" coils up front and MT springs +1" shackle.

 

2" front typically levels factory rake,

 

compared to stock, I sit level +1 in front and +2 in back to restore some rake.

and I fit 33x12.5 with minor rubbing on full lock turns

Thread hi-jack....were did you get your flares?

[Megadan]

 

 

3" coils up front and MT springs +1" shackle.

 

2" front typically levels factory rake,

 

compared to stock, I sit level +1 in front and +2 in back to restore some rake.

and I fit 33x12.5 with minor rubbing on full lock turns

Thread hi-jack....were did you get your flares?

 

Most likely Napier flares.  Good stuff.  I plan on getting a set soon http://www.napierprecisionproducts.com/V2-Jeep-Comanche-MJ-Cherokee-XJ-2-Door-Fender-Flares-Black-V2-B-2DR.htm

[Baby blue]

Nice, I made a purchase for my rear, went with the rustys 3in pack, gonna see how it looks and determine what to do with the front.

[mikekaz1]

Thread hi-jack....were did you get your flares?

Yes. Napier precision products. Great customer service and an awesome product. Highly recommended.