TAPDH3T SOA Build

[06 H3]

Would you rancho the front? I recommend that...

I think off road capability is 1000x better and I would say on road for me is better but I came from a very stiff deaver spring so I am be a bit bias. bebe went from stock to spring over with modified stock springs so she may know better in terms of ride quality difference. I assume the same but I had over a year difference between stock spring under to stock springs on spring over. My SOA is much better then my deavers though.

 

[TAPDH3T]

I have been wondering this so let me just ask away. I am not very mechanical at all and like to just leave it up to the professionals but how hard is it to do a SOA and how long does it take to swap everything out? also I go wheeling about once a month would this mod be worth the time?

I haven't done mine yet so I will let 06H3, BeBe, or 4Speed answer that.. I versital with most mechanic stuff but I would not put my child's like on my welding.. Ur looking at around $300 in labor if u pay someone to do it.. Atleast that's what I was quoted.. Now you can also do this same mod without cutting the hanger.. What u will do is drill you new hole into the hanger and then cut and grind the extra off.. 4Speed was kind enough to email some pics of it modded that way on a canyon!! If u would like I will post them on this thread...

 

[RamRod]

If he does the SOA with the Rancho spring wouldn't that net him 8-9" of lift??

 

[TAPDH3T]

If he does the SOA with the Rancho spring wouldn't that net him 8-9" of lift??

I was kinda thinking the same thing.. But IDK!! If someone here has a set of OEM Leaf Springs that their willing to part with.. I bet we can work out a deal!!

Edit:
Also got my 2500 series springs for the BeBe mod.. So now ordering from ruff stuff...

 

[bebe]

Other then the obvious sag issue are the any other issues that come along with the Rancho springs or should I just man up and find so OEM...

Just go with the OEM.

Or, you can remove some springs from the Ranchos to lower, and add the 2500 springs to stiffen. If someone can show me a comparison of the Rancho vs OEM I can let you know what will work. (You're going to be tearing down the apring pack anyway to install the 2500 spring).

 

[bebe]

If he does the SOA with the Rancho spring wouldn't that net him 8-9" of lift??

Mine was 7 inches until we re installed the stock shackle and replaced the hangers with a low profile hanger. You can also remove a couple of leaves or have them de-arched. I don't remember what they look like.

 

[bebe]

I have been wondering this so let me just ask away. I am not very mechanical at all and like to just leave it up to the professionals but how hard is it to do a SOA and how long does it take to swap everything out? also I go wheeling about once a month would this mod be worth the time?

It's very easy...

I would say this to anyone who wants to do this on their own that has not done it before...take your time. Limit interruptions. Once you dive into this there are critical measurements and linear thought processes that if you have to put down your tools and divert your attention to someone else you can make big goofs that you will have to go back and re-do.

For an experienced person with a shop and a lift, 1/2 day to a full day. For a back yard mechanic with experience and a few beers, a 3 day weekend. For anyone else, not working on it full time, 2 full days and a few nights after work.

 

[4speedfunk]

OEM springs have been proven by several members to work pretty good with a SOA, (at least they make a good starting point). You can always add/subtract leafs, or combine stockers with Rancho leafs to achieve the stiffness and/or ride height you want. I think your biggest challenge will be keeping the lift to a minimum. Bebe, myself, 07Custom, and 06H3 all have some sort of front end mods. So did the SOA GM test trucks (Moab Edition). So, while the SOA is pretty simple mod...it will probably require you to do something to the front suspension OR...get more creative with rear spring selection (possibly a recessed spring pocket?).

I recall seeing a SOA H3 for sale on ebay a couple of years ago. It was somewhere in California and it had a SOA only, with no front suspension mods. It looked completely ridiculous...downright stupid. Imagine 7" of lift in the rear with 0" in the front. I can only guess what a nightmare it must have been to drive.

FWIW...I still have Bebe's adjustable Hellwig overloads from many years ago. Given what you're trying to acheive, (extra stiffness without extra lift)...these might be a good option.

 

[06 H3]

4speed, tapd is running a rancho up front.

The guy in California was running a rancho kit too but he was running custom alcan lift springs with a spring over. I saw it in person. He was rancho front with torsions cranked way up for about 6in in the front and was a good 3in taller in the rear. Totally about 9in of lift. He said it was extremely unstable. He had a good 4in of lift on me anything with 9-10 of lift is unstable unless you bring the track width way out or do straight line mud pit competitions. He sold it to some guy who thinks the bigger the lift the better.

Tapd your setup with the rancho up front and oem springs should work well

 

[bebe]

Bebe, myself, 07Custom, and 06H3 all have some sort of front end mods. So did the SOA GM test trucks (Moab Edition). So, while the SOA is pretty simple mod...it will probably require you to do something to the front suspension OR...get more creative with rear spring selection (possibly a recessed spring pocket?).

Right, I did my SOA with a torsion bar lift upfront, it didn't look ridiculous. But yes, if you are doing the SOA and you don't already have a rancho lift, then you will have to do at a minimum, a torsion bar lift in the front.

We did look at frenching in the hanger to the frame rail and decided it was not a good location. Likely too much stress in that location because of the distance from the nearest frame ladder. Structurally is may contribute to frame weakness and cracking down the road.

But everyone needs to remember, my rig was designed specifically with the Rubicon and Fordyce trails in mind. Lots of big rocks and frame twisting.

 

[06 H3]

Tapd if you need a set of 3t springs let me know. I have a set in my storage unit, I was going to use them but then found out they are actually softer then the 3 springs.

Bebe, I think my springs need replacement just for good measure. 100k miles on the oems from 8 years ago, and I want to upgrade to some fox's while I am at it. My ranchos are too soft.

 

[bebe]

Bebe, I think my springs need replacement just for good measure. 100k miles on the oems from 8 years ago, and I want to upgrade to some fox's while I am at it. My ranchos are too soft.

I have 130K on mine with no issues. Maybe you need to add a 3/4 ton main leaf? When we do the 14Bolt we will probably keep them.

What make you feel they are too soft? If it's body roll, there are ways to help that, but you need soft....soft = flex.

 

[TAPDH3T]

Tapd if you need a set of 3t springs let me know. I have a set in my storage unit, I was going to use them but then found out they are actually softer then the 3 springs.

Bebe, I think my springs need replacement just for good measure. 100k miles on the oems from 8 years ago, and I want to upgrade to some fox's while I am at it. My ranchos are too soft.

Yeah, what do u want for them!!! Also will have to check shipping for 75503!!!

 

[06 H3]

I have 130K on mine with no issues. Maybe you need to add a 3/4 ton main leaf? When we do the 14Bolt we will probably keep them.

What make you feel they are too soft? If it's body roll, there are ways to help that, but you need soft....soft = flex.

Well my spring has the "bend" by the rear eye, so I think the 3/4 main spring will help with that and I am sure the rancho shocks are a big factor too.

I have a rocking motion back and forth(only at freeway speeds.) I think it may actually be starting in the front end and transfers to the rear. It may be that I have a 95lb winch hanging off the front end with blown front shocks. IIRC, I didnt have that issue till the winch.

This may sound correct but I am sure shocks all around(I know the ranchos suck balls I just keep procrastinating) and a 3/4 main spring throw in will help.

Yeah, what do u want for them!!! Also will have to check shipping for 75503!!!

I will get you a price on shipping tomorrow. I wont be around today. Whats the best price you can find on a new set of leafs with shipping? Link it and whatever it is I will try to do much better then that so I can help out a fellow SOA. Im glad to see more guys are making the leap.

I think some sites will give you cheaper prices then rape you on shipping and "handling" fees to make up for it so factor that in.

 

[bebe]

Well my spring has the "bend" by the rear eye, so I think the 3/4 main spring will help with that and I am sure the rancho shocks are a big factor too.

I have a rocking motion back and forth(only at freeway speeds.) I think it may actually be starting in the front end and transfers to the rear. It may be that I have a 95lb winch hanging off the front end with blown front shocks. IIRC, I didnt have that issue till the winch.

This may sound correct but I am sure shocks all around(I know the ranchos suck balls I just keep procrastinating) and a 3/4 main spring throw in will help.

The 3/4 ton rear spring will correct the negative arch at the eye, and maybe even the rocking front to rear at freeway speeds. If the truck is bobbing in the front (bad shocks) it will transfer to the rear. And like you said the rears could be fried as well. If you are running them on the firmest setting (9) then you may want to check and see if the shaft has separated/broken internally - that's what mine did (x3).

The winch could be an issue because the weight is cantilevered off the front. However it sounds to me like you just have crappy/broken shocks. Body roll side to side is just a sign you are top heavy (too much junk on your roof rack) or over laden with spare parts and grease guns (too much junk in your trunk). :giggle:

 

[06 H3]

I never had this issue with the spare on the roof and now I dont have anything up there so its probably bad shocks and the winch is exaggerating the problem.

I dont know what setting im on, it broke off on rock. Ill assume its the shocks for now :giggle:

 

[TAPDH3T]

So far most if the OEM shocks appear to be about $145.00 per leaf spring, then u add the shipping which comes almost to $300..
That sux!!!!

 

[RamRod]

I have a rocking motion back and forth(only at freeway speeds.) I think it may actually be starting in the front end and transfers to the rear. It may be that I have a 95lb winch hanging off the front end with blown front shocks. IIRC, I didnt have that issue till the winch.

Don't wait too long, had a rear shock blow on me after a mild trail ride back a few years ago when I was driving an Xterra (my first problem ) by the time I drove home 170 miles the other rear shock was shot. The next morning I ordered new shocks, they took a week to come in.... When they did the fronts were 99% shot from the extra load they were taking (extra rocking from both blown rears).... But I digress... I am sure you are well aware of the possibilities

Lots of good info on this thread!

Two things I learned thus far for when I do mine late fall:
1- Use H3 spring rather then T springs
2- Add a 2500 spring like bebe


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[06 H3]

all 4 of my shocks are garbage I know for a fact the front two are blown, I assume the rear two are also. Those ranchos are pieces of ****, there travel for the front is less them oem the rear is comparable. I think I am going to go with fox for the rear like bebe and 4 speed and then some bilsteins for the front. I need custom length ones though as the stock length wont work. I would go with fox if I knew my front end setup was permanent but right now it isnt so I dont want to spend too much if I am ditching it at some point.

 

[4speedfunk]

Fox shocks are pricey but, I gotta admit...they work. Just make sure you get the right valving for your H3. They're totally adjustable and it took a few tries to get mine dialed-in. Once I did...they've been trouble free. Once you fiddle with them, you'll realize how much REAL shocks do for your suspension. OEM shocks do nothing but dampen...Fox's seem to have much more influence on the whole package.

 

[bebe]

The Fox shocks should have the JK valving if you want something out of the box that will work perfectly. You can request it specifically or, see if the rear JK shocks are a similar size and order them online (off the shelf). Don't get hung up on the mounting points they are easy enough to change.

The JK valving will work for the front, or you can get the Rod Halls, they are made for the H3 specifically. If you are running lifted in the front, you can have a shock made just like it with a clevis end. Easy peasy. They just press off the eylet mount and press on the clevis. Yes it will cost extra.

Like I've said many a time, don't skimp on shocks.

 

[06 H3]

Thanks for the input.

Sorry to hijack tapd! You can certainly run stock shocks for now after the spring over and get fancy later on.

 

[TAPDH3T]

Thanks for the input.

Sorry to hijack tapd! You can certainly run stock shocks for now after the spring over and get fancy later on.

Yeah this is my thread jerks!!! Naw I'm kidding... Good info!! Ohhh yea i will def be upgrading shocks as time permits!!!

 

[TAPDH3T]

Soooo have any of our big fab guys thought about making a SOA Kit.. And selling them

 

[06 H3]

yea ruffstuff does, basically you buy those parts...thats the kit. Everything else is on you a welder and a grinder.