Suzuki Club UK

mike harris wrote: Virtual lifts aren't the prettiest of things

Mine is damnnnn sexy

All I'm trying to say is this thread is asking about spoa, so I giving spoa advice.

No it's not cheap I completely agree, cheap conversions are shit and death traps mainly.

But if you plan on using the vehicle for offroad use only, you want big lift and to run big tyres. It's ok to go spoa.

In terms of stability, just fit wider wheels. Mines stable I was driving on mental slops, didn't fall over.....

I think it's about personel preference, some people like it, others don't.

Same with virtual lifts, yes I think there not pretty, but other people probably don't like the looks of my postman pat van. Anyway I think this chap asked for spoa axle advice, so here's what I would suggest.

Fit a American, or rob Storr high steer kit.

Use very shallow axle saddles

Pay attention to pinion angles, very important.

Welding must be very good on axle saddles.

Fit a good quality uprated leaf spring set.

Use new u bolts and torque properly.

Don't use prop spacers have props made, this way you decrease the uj angle, again budget according, could upgrade to toyota props and never worry about uj angles....

Fit quality parts throughout, brake lines, shock mounts ect. Cheap parts are cheap for a reason, they're shit. Unless you can make the stuff I mean.

That's how'd i do it, if I can help just ask I may be able to point you in the right direction.

There's lots on the internet of how to do it guides, just remember if you do it wrong it will ruin your suzuki. Do it right and I'm sure it will improve it

I'm by no means saying its not always the way to go but I do think it's something that needs to be thought about depending on your use, money and fabrication skills.

If you do a lot of mud and deep water then the height it has its benifits, if you mostly like technical driving and want to do trialling etc it's best to keep it low.

To summarise. Whatever you choose to do think it out and do it well.

In my opinion, having driven friends trucks with varying approaches to SPOA....
Some being good conversions, some being complete and utter shite...

I would in future exhaust all SPUA lift options before going to SPOA, it will be more stable the lower it is...
If you want the amount of lift given my SPOA there are various options while staying SPUA.

People moan about shackle reversal all the time, but in combination with a set of 3" lift springs you will get just over the same amount of lift as going Spring Over.
You won't get quite the same approach angle but with 31s on it would be a perfectly capable truck...

I've got 2" lift springs on mine with the 31s on, and was thinking that if i wanted 35s or something ridiculous like that I COULD go spring over as well. (but i wont for now)

As Dan says, SPOA is all about how you do it. I think the problem is that if you stay SPUA, things generally fit where they are supposed to as standard.... but with the amount of adjustment required to get a good SPOA lift, its a lot easier to just bodge it as many people do.

I would never buy a truck with SPOA done by someone I didn't know, as some of the conversions out there are utter dog shite

is better to decide what you are after, if you will use it only for off road i totally recommend
SPOA and reverse shackles and longer leaf-springs go crazy or go home .
BUT if you want a road legal samurai stay SPUA and get an old man emu 2'' with 30 or even 31
its also very nice for off-road and handles like a dream

Thanks for the replies. I think I might stay SPUA for now, but would like to lift it. What do you have to change if you lift it by springs? Just the shocks?

What size tyres would you like to run?

Mike you mention Toyota props..Hi Lux ones? Any reason why these are so much better? Ok I know they are from a much heavier vehicle with more power but why would the prop angle not be a problem? Asking because...well I'll let you all know in due course lol.

donkeychomp wrote:Mike you mention Toyota props..Hi Lux ones? Any reason why these are so much better? Ok I know they are from a much heavier vehicle with more power but why would the prop angle not be a problem? Asking because...well I'll let you all know in due course lol.

Hilux props have quite wide yokes so can operate at some steep angles. still doesn't really change the fact that the prop is always at a steep angle which can cause more issues at speed but it does mean the axle can droop further without binding.

strength wise Suzuki props are more than up for the job as long as they don't run too steeply, 410 props are longer and have slightly wider yokes as well so this can help as you don't need prop spacers when ran with lift on samurai/413 axles.