SOA shop

[BGibbs]

Anyone in the Houston area gone SOA. I am looking for a place that will do a good job.

[kwrangln]

Unless some more shops have opened up in the last few years, I think your only choices are 4 wheel parts on 610 and a place called The Shop down in clearlake. I dont remember any other places from when I was down there last, I was there from 97-2000 or so. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[BGibbs]

I have talked to 4 wheell parts and they told me that they dont do that type of work, because of the liability factor. Well since I live near Clear Lake I will try to see if I can find that place.

[oakey]

Give Creative Engineering a call and talk to Mark....

They do GREAT work and can do anything !!!!!!

Mark has had numerous write-ups in Pettersons and 4 wheeler over the past few years....


He has a very nice custom made rock buggy.... The shop is on the north side of H town near Tomball.......

L8R,

[BGibbs]

Thanks
I will give them a call. Still looking to see if it is worth the trouble. Trying to get a price on the labor.

[Joe Dillard]

-=- originally posted by BGibbs -=-
Thanks
I will give them a call. Still looking to see if it is worth the trouble. Trying to get a price on the labor.

IMHO: there is far more homework to be done.

I'll give this another shot.......my previous post didn't come out they way it should have. :o: :)

Like I mentioned - keep doing the homework involved and hopefully learn from others mistakes.

It took me ~5 months of homework before the install began
Talking with lots of folks who have built MANY of them
Driving some SOA rigs when I could
Looking at the tons of options that are out there
Wheeling & dealing with the sales folks of items I was considering
Brushing aside horror stories from those who didn't have first hand knowledge

[BGibbs]

That is about how long I have been debating it. Back then my springs were only 6 months old, and i couldnt see getting rid of those after only six months. Just a waste of money. If I would have known anything about lifting jeeps I would have done this to begin with. Would not have bought the Body lift and the Shackles. Cuz now I really hate them

[Joe Dillard]

Yep - I think most will agree - we learn & deal with what we buy till we become more knowledgeable & decide to go another route.

Don't get me wrong....a good SUA set-up will perform outstanding! I've seen far too many work well to discount them. Some folks are a bit shy to go the SOA route due to lack of knowledge, funds, being happy with what they have, looking in another direction with their rig, wanting TJ style suspension, coil-overs, plus a host of other reasonable options.

IMHO, body lifts & shackle lifts have their place. I run 3/8" Currie Boom shackles out back. It's when they get on the tall side that I'd be concerned or steer away from them. But for some they fit the bill & get the job done for them.

[BGibbs]

I really like my SUA setup. I Just wish I could get more lift in the suspension. I could always go with a custom setup like Alcans, but I have checked into those and they are $190 a spring up to 6" springs. I have seen pics of a guy with 6" alcans flexing and it looks as good as my 4" springs. Plus going spring over you gain alot of ground clearence with all that crap over the axle.

[Joe Dillard]

Just tossing out a few ideas for you. :brows:

It's possible that if you decide to go SOA, to sell your current SUA lift to another Jeeper. :) This will help off-set costs.

When I went SOA, I gave my old SUA lift to two guys that had driven all the way from Missouri, to the San Diego, Ca area to attend a wedding. They drove up - we chewed the fat for a while - I chugged a beer or two :D and then they left to make there way back to Missouri. :)

Yep - it's nice not to have portions of the suspension as low as before. I can take other lines now that would have caused hang-up or possible damage before.