my question is how high do i have to lift my '86 samuri to fit 33s and being the leafs are on the bottom of the axle, is it possible to rotate all that stuff around to have the leafs ontop of the axle like a chevy, if it could work, i would be getting an extra four inches of lift!!!

You already asked this question. Be patient, I'm sure somebody that knows will be along to help shortly.

Your question about the leafs is called a SPring Over Axle swap, or SPOA, and people do it all the time. There are several different kits available on the market to help you do it, some better than others, but I couldn't begin to explain why since I've never done this myself yet. I don't even have a sammy! LOL! There are probably some threads about SPOA and maybe something in the tech archives around here, but I haven't looked for them personally. Good luck with your hunt.

oh, sorry bout the second post, my computer is being dumb and i cant see the other post. that is why i posted again.

You can't simply flip the axle around. I did a spring over axle on my old sami. Bought new spring perches from the local 4x4 shop ($10 each) and welded them to the top of the axle, be extremly careful because the housing is thin and could melt through. You also need to change the shock mounts and extend the brake lines to do a good job. You can buy bolt on kits to do this; http://lowrangeoffroad.com/samsuspkits.htm

I had 4" spring over and 1" shackle lift running 31" tires. Could have tucked 33" under it, but thats the size you start breaking stuff.

not flip the axle around. say for instance, on the front axle, you take all the leaf stuff off and when you put the leaf stuff back on but to make it a leaf-over-axle, you move the driver side stuff to the pass and vice-versa. i might have to fabricate some stuff but i think most of it should swap, i think. that is why i posted to see if anyone has done something like this?

SPOA is super common. check the link for a kit and fab your own if you dare. I have know idea what you mean by flipping and moving stuff here and there. But, if you think you can do it than do.  an idea I grew up with.

where are you located? come by my place if your close and see mine its spoa I've done many with out buying a kit I fab everything I can hey V where you at? you need to see this setup you'll  like it!

grand forks, nd....i am the only one in our little wheelin group that has a suzi as i call them, everyone else has big lifted trucks cept two jeeps, lifted and all. xj and a yj. they all give me crap for my sami but they will learn i think...we like mud, no rocks here in north dakota

not flip the axle around. say for instance, on the front axle, you take all the leaf stuff off and when you put the leaf stuff back on but to make it a leaf-over-axle, you move the driver side stuff to the pass and vice-versa. i might have to fabricate some stuff but i think most of it should swap, i think. that is why i posted to see if anyone has done something like this?

First thing to do, put WD-40 on the front and rear shackle bolt and don't forget the shock mount and the sway bar...there probably seize

Second start by the front...unscrew the shock and the sway bar from the plate, next remove the link bar and the two brake caliper....and also the driveshaft

Third remove the U bolt and the front shackle, now you can remove the front diff...after that just bolt the shackle back together

Forth, get yourself some new spring perch and welded it on top of the diff, parallel and level with the other perch

Fifth, put your diff back under ready to be bolt.....here's the tricky part, to bolt back the U -bolt you will need to take the plate from the driver side and put it on top on the passenger side, so you will be able to bolt back the shock and the sway bar....vice versa for the other side..

Six, now put back everything together.....it's the same patern for the rear!!!

BTW for the front brake line, just cut the bracket and weld a plate to it, to extend the bracket...

hope this will be helpful....

thanks Mad, that is something like i was thinking i would have to do...just a little fab, not much though. just seeing if it was possible.

i also no i am going to need to get spacers, just dont know how big of spacers to get.

Spacers are for the Trackers, not the Samurai/SJ series. 

I run a standard 5" SPOA and run 33" tires, but I needed to take quite a bit out of my fenders.  You will need to step up to a 5.8:1 or higher transfer case or 5.12 gears in your diffs.  You will also want to look at either swapping to larger axles or getting some of the new high performance front axles and Calimini rear axles.  Newfield makes one set of front's, and Trail Tough is coming out with a set as well.  Otherwise it will simply be a matter of time until you break something.  Then again, you can just wheel it until you break then replace it later. 

A quick overview of what is currently on my rig is at http://www.crawlersnorthwest.com/profile/kandersonspecs2.html 

i will still be able to turn with the 33s though, right? no serious rubbing on the leafs?

It depends on if you go with 33x12.5 or 33.10.5, and then you just need to get the right offset wheels.  I'm running 3.5" offset and have plenty of clearance, but my springs are 3" closer together as I have an SJ-410 instead of a Samurai.  But most people don't have clearance problems with the 3.5" offset wheels.

You can always just get the tires and put different wheels on later. 

You could turn the 33s in low range, it would probably be doable in 2hi but a little hard on the clutch.
As for the axles i think you would be alright, i know people running locked up samis with 33s and stock axles.  Never a broken axle, it all depends on how heavy your right foot.
For front axles ,trail tough makes a set called "double tough front axles".
For a lovely price of $580. If you go to roadlessgear.com they sell newfeild front axles for $500.


Amilla