I'm new to the yj world, having formerly owned a a stock tj. So i'm following the boards to learn as much as possible about them. On to my question...

When do you want to go SOA? Meaning, if I wanted to run 35s do I need to go SOA or is that for tires larger than 35?

If my vehicle will be a DD 98% of the time with the occasional offroading –No where close to go– are 35's too much to worry about? Should I just go with 33's? It appears that the SOA is cheaper to do than a 4" lift or the like. Again this will be a Daily Driver 98% of the time, but on occasion I will get to hit Tellico.

This is a hard question to answer for so many reasons, cost being a main issue, along with what you think your jeep may encounter in the future. It stinks to build your jeep, just to want it bigger later on down the road, because you just wasted both time and money.

You can run 35s with either SOA or SUA. I am running SOA in the front with stock YJ springs, and SUA in the rear with lift springs, TJ flares and 35" MTRs. This setup is very nice because I have excellent flex in the front, decent flex in the rear and because the rear is SUA, I do not have any axle wrap.

The biggest concern you should have is the rear axle. The Dana 35 is not designed for 35s, and 33s is stretching it, but if you keep the diff open, it should be acceptable if you are careful. If I were you, I would choose a tire size, and then start thinking about your lift options.

Thanks Road Head, Can you post a pic of your jeep? I'd like to see your setup. It is tough because it will be a daily driver 98% of the time, but like you said, you don't want to build it once only to want to build it bigger...Decisions, decisions....

http://65.42.106.152/forums/showthread.php?t=612672

I am very pleased with how my jeep turned out. It has been through several iterations

1. 3" body lift - 32's
2. 3" suspension lift, 1" shackles and 3" body lift - 32's
3. 3" suspension and 1" shackles -32's
4. 3" suspension, 1" shackles, and 1.5" body lift - 35s
5. SOA all around with JC whitney 7 leaf waggy springs - 36s
6. SOA/SUA (as it sits now) - back to 35s

Hey Road Head, Good looking Jeep! Is it still a daily driver? If so any probs?

No problems. Surprisingly, it drives really well. I am very happy with the way it turned out. As soon as I can afford custom shafts in the front, I will be narrowing it, and that is really all I need to do to be "done".

I'm SUA with a 4.5" RE kit and a 1" body lift and 35" MT/R's. It flexes VERY well to tell you the truth. Lots of people that I go wheel'n with are suprized how well these springs actuly work.

The myth of SOA being cheaper that SUA is not true at all. Sure, some U-bolts and spring perches will only cost you about $50. But thats not the end of it. You need address serious steering issue's. I've seen people put bends in their factory drag-link and thats flat out scary. You'll also need to address some serious axle wrap issues, and if your picky like me, nothing will ever work. Other things you will need is a SYE and a CV shaft, shocks, brake lines, sway-bar link extension/disconects, and a front trac-bar.

As for running 35" tires on a Dana35, your just asking for trouble. Stick to 33's and be carefull with it, you should be OK. If you plan on swaping in at least D44 in the rear and a up-grading the front axle shafts for a 297x/760x U-joint then go for the 35's!

Thanks for all the responses. It looks like for me 33's are plenty. Would the RE 4.5" lift look funny with 33's or just right. I noticed you have a 1" BL that's why I'm asking.

I have 2 YJs, a 91 and a 88. The 91 runs SOA on stock springs and 35" BFG MTs with a locker in the rear, havent broken a shaft yet and I beat on it. My 88 has a V8 SUA and 36" TSLs on a D35 again it hasnt broken. Its all in how you drive.
Rick

quote:

Originally posted by Rick:
Thanks for all the responses. It looks like for me 33's are plenty. Would the RE 4.5" lift look funny with 33's or just right. I noticed you have a 1" BL that's why I'm asking.

Should look good with 33's, seen plenty of them like that.

quote:

Originally posted by RW:
I have 2 YJs, a 91 and a 88. The 91 runs SOA on stock springs and 35" BFG MTs with a locker in the rear, havent broken a shaft yet and I beat on it. My 88 has a V8 SUA and 36" TSLs on a D35 again it hasnt broken. Its all in how you drive.
Rick

Parking lots dont count

all joking aside, I have broken my old D35 twice when I had 32's.