Spring Over Axle lifts for 40, 50 60, and 70 series Toyota Land Cruisers
[enlarge] To properly perform a SOA conversion, the axle housing is stripped, verified straight, and essentially rebuilt for the new suspension.One of the most popular ways to lift a leaf sprung Land Cruiser high enough to clear 35 inch or bigger tires is with a Spring Over Axle lift, or SOA. It places the axles under the springs and provides about 5.5 inches of lift. This is enough lift to clear 35 inch tires without trimming your wheel wells and even larger tires with trimming. Land Cruisers with a properly done Spring Over conversion drive exceptionally well at high speeds and are far more comfortable and capable off road than rigs with overly arched sprung under springs.
[enlarge] Here you can see a detailed photo of a spring over axle housing. You can see the welds where the spring perches and shock mounts have been added. The welds to the right are from where the axle was cut and turned. (raw, unpainted axle)The lift is simple to install, but not as easy as just welding some new spring perches to the top of your axle housing. To perform an SOA conversion properly, we first remove all of the perches, turn stops, and shock mounts from a front axle housing. Then. the housing is chucked up in a lathe to verify that it is straight. While it's in the lathe, we cut the ends of the axles so that they can be rotated or turned. This is where the term "cut and turned" comes from and is a necessary part of any lift over 4 inches, whether you are going with SUA, SOA, or linked suspension.
[enlarge] Proffitt's Cruisers custom spring hanger is used for a shackle reversal. This hanger is included with FJ40/55 kits and conversions.After the housing is cut, it is placed in a jig and the knuckle ends are turned so that when the pinion angle is correct for the new lift, the caster angle is correct. Then all new perches, shock mounts, and turn stops are welded in place. On 40 series Land Cruisers, we install the newly turned front housing with our SOA shackle reversal kit, A shackle reversal enhances drive ability and gives your Land Cruiser a better approach angle. The rear axle is converted with new perches in the rear (or one of our 4 link rear options) and the vehicle is sitting pretty.
Finished product: Spring Over Axle Suspension
[enlarge] This Cruiser is 'sitting pretty' on a Spring Over Axle conversion by Proffitt's Cruisers. This level of quality and attention to detail is typical of all Spring Over Axle (SOA) Custom Land Cruiser Suspensions performed by Proffitt's Cruisers. (Note: this suspension is shown with an optional 'anti-wrap' bar. 'Warp Drive' not included -:)