i gave my samurai a spoa with higher spring perches so it comes out to be about an 8inch lift and i have 32inch tires a few days ago i took it down the road to make a test run and it seemed really squirly which would be fine if i wasnt planning on driving it to school and back every day do you guys have any tips on helping it stay straiter also how many of you get yours going up to about 50-55mph does it feel really squirly/tippy at higher speeds im just kinda skeptical on it
thanks
cody

What kind of steering did you put on it?  If it's just your standard run of the mill Z-link, I would suggest some sort of cross over steering.  Part of what you're feeling is probably bump steer.

Put OTT steering on it. I have that on my sammy, 6" SPOA and it steers better than stock.

As many have suggested, an over-the-top (OTT) steering system will eliminate the bump-steer -- when you hit a bump in the road (or on the trail) the steering wheel will jerk so hard that you may lose grip of it.

However, OTT will not fix the "baby-carriage" handling and driveline vibrations caused by your 8" SPOA lift.  This would be ESPECIALLY true if you rotated your front axle to reduce the driveshaft angle at the third member!  By doing so, you have changed the caster angle to the point where steering is borderline nighmareish!

There is an excellent article on the subject at northcoastoffroad.com called "The Six Inch Rule" that you might want to read. 

An easy way to go to the page is to click on the link in my signature below, then do a search for "Six Inch Rule".

I hope this helps!

Ack, I've got a question for you.

I have TT OTT steering, and get no bumpsteer on the road or on the trail. However, sometimes my steering will just have a mind of its own if I don't hold on to it (on the trail only), and decide to go full lock left or right , taking the path of least resistance. This is while I'm stopped and trying to turn around.

Dihnekis, I think your steering box has dirt in it and a valve is sticking in there,maybe you could add a filter in the return line,if that does not do it replace the box.

Ack, I've got a question for you.

I have TT OTT steering, and get no bumpsteer on the road or on the trail. However, sometimes my steering will just have a mind of its own if I don't hold on to it (on the trail only), and decide to go full lock left or right , taking the path of least resistance. This is while I'm stopped and trying to turn around.

It sounds like you have power steering -- something I don't have yet on my Samurai.  I defer to mrfuelish's thoughts on the subject.  Steering doesn't just "take off" at a complete standstill without some form of energy source -- a defective power steering system being a logical source along with vehicle motion caused by a tire breaking loose and slips off a rock while stopped evaluating the line you might take over an obstacle.

Sounds like you have negative caster !   Take to an alignment shop and have them  check your caster..  I can bury my speedometer on the freeway with 36" swampers and still goes straight.

What kind of steering did you put on it?  If it's just your standard run of the mill Z-link, I would suggest some sort of cross over steering.  Part of what you're feeling is probably bump steer.

yeah just a custom z link anyone got anymore info on the cross over stearing and wear to purchace? never heard of it before ive also heard that poly urithane bushings will help to keep swaying down can anyone confirm this anymore tips you have to help the handling is highly appreciated

Quote from: purevil71 on November 11, 2005, 07:56:14 AM

What kind of steering did you put on it?  If it's just your standard run of the mill Z-link, I would suggest some sort of cross over steering.  Part of what you're feeling is probably bump steer.

yeah just a custom z link anyone got anymore info on the cross over stearing and wear to purchace? never heard of it before ive also heard that poly urithane bushings will help to keep swaying down can anyone confirm this anymore tips you have to help the handling is highly appreciated

Breeze Industries (in Canada) sells a wide selection of aftermarket Samurai suspension and driveline upgrades, including a "crossover steering" system. 

http://www.breezeindustries.com/kit_details.htm#Cross%20Over%20Steering%20System

Prices are in Canadian dollars so don't freak if they seem high-priced.

You can buy them here in the States at North Coast Offroad.  I have a Breeze SPOA with the draglink instead of the Crossover system.  It adds 4.5" of lift.



The Ackmobile...


Other venders (listed here at ZukiWorld and at Izook.com) sell similar systems.

cool after i get my tire rubbing problem taken care of that will be the next thing on my list now this should take care of the swaying right? nice zook by the way ill have to post a pic of mine soon
cody

YOu might also look at SKY Man. for their crossover set up.  It's a little cheeper if you're on a tight budget such as myself.
I have it and I'm really happy with the set up.

Here's a clicky to there site:
http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/

thanks for the links guys i will definetly be getting the cross over and most likely a traction bar and shock extention mounts does anyone know were i can get polyurithane bushings?

cool after i get my tire rubbing problem taken care of that will be the next thing on my list now this should take care of the swaying right? nice zook by the way ill have to post a pic of mine soon
cody

Crossover steering won't do much about the swaying.  That's mostly caused by the 8" lift and any flexible items in the suspension (spring bushings for sure!) that are flexing under the 8 inches of leverage the spring perches are applying to the suspension.

Poly bushings (available at most online aftermarket stores) will help, but the best thing to do for a better daily driver ride is to replace the long perches with shorter ones.   

ok if you have spoa lift combined with power steering i suggest you get a pan hard bar otherwise it will be all over the place