hi there, im new to the site and new to samurai's, i just sold my ranger and bought a 88 samurai, it looks 100% stock to me. i was wondering what you guys thought would be the best way to lift it alittle bit, if i spring over axle it, i can make and weld what ever i need to, but i was wondering if/where to weld new shock tabs to use stock shocks? and with a soa lift do i need to extend the drive shaft? i seen they make a spacer, i think i can laser cut one of those if thats needed, also i was thinking i wanted to get 235/75/15's under it. trying to keep smallish tires on it, but dont want to bottom this thing out... i am cabing it in and hunting out of this, there will be around 500lbs in the back with my gear and hounds. so what should i do to help suport the leafs in the rear to handle that kind of weight?

thanks guys
Brian

A proper spoa is going to give you 4-5" of lift.
 Lowrainge sells a pretty good long travel shock kit...I recommend it.
You will need a track bar in the rear to controle axle rap.
High steer in the front to controle bump steer.
3-5 degrees of caster on the front axle is needed or it will wonder like a pig.(don't just weld the new spring perches on the front axle parallel to the existing ones). There are several articles detailing how to do this posted on this site....
In the rear set your pinion angle parallel to the flange on the transfercase.
Yes drive line extensions are a good idea. As are long brake lines.
Air bags in the rear will solve your loading issue, without screwing up the rig while not under load.
 Your tire size should work well with this lift , But I also highly recommend a new stronger transfercase mounting system.
 The stock mounts wont last with any lift tire combonation.
I basically have done all of Thea's modifications, and many more, to my 88 . If done right it works real well in the woods.

...Boxcar...

To fit most 235/75R15 tires all you will need to do is trim the front bumper a little bit. 

If you decide to go with a SPOA configuration I recommend the Sky Manufacturing Stage 2 SPOA lift.  It includes everything you need to put together a SPOA lift at a decent price, as long as you know someone who can weld.  It even has the wrap-around spring pads that will help you avoid ripping the spring pads off your axle and assist in alignment and half of a high-steer kit. 

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/new/detaproduct.php?id=92

But if your looking for 30" tires or lower I would go with the OME (Old Man Emu) 1.5" spring lift.  It gives you a better ride then stock, a bit of lift, can clear 30" tires and doesn't require the extended brake lines, modified steering, and is much cheaper then a larger lift.

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.php/suzuki/samurai/suspension-parts/old-man-emu-dakar-leaf-springs.html

thanks for the info guys, I'm trying to keep this as cheap as i can, i started making a few of the things i need, i got spring pads done , and am machining the drive line spacers now. i will have to buy the steering ends, and make the bar. i will need to buy the brake line also. i like the idea of the ome leafs, and that would probably do it for what I'm wanting, i just would like the lowest point under the truck to be the axle tubes i guess.
what do you think of just throwing in a extra leaf in the pack to hold up alittle more weight in the rear end

on my red samurai I picked up another set of springs and took the main leaf and cut the eye's off of them and installed it under the stock main leaf, works great.

on my red samurai I picked up another set of springs and took the main leaf and cut the eye's off of them and installed it under the stock main leaf, works great.

I did something similar, but just using a second #2 leaf.  mrfuelish is right on in that it works great!

For the brake lines, in the front I just used brake lines from a Geo Tracker/Suzuki Sidekick front end. 

ok, so the stock brake lines for a sidekick will fit a spoa samurai, what about the rear brake lines? how much did they cost?
also i was wondering how thick should the driveline spacers be if im doing the spoa?

Most people use a 1" spacer.  I like to put it together and see if you need one first.  If you use to large of a spacer then you risk having the driveshaft smash into your t-case on compression.

For the rear it depends on what brake lines you have.  Do you have two brake lines, one for each side, or do you have a single line that snakes through the passenger side then to the drivers side?

single that snakes from one side to the other.

I think I payed $50 or $60 for my Braide stainless steel, long, brake lines from Lowrainge. I recommend you do the same.
 Used tracker lines may work , but I just hate spending money on a used brake part when new ones are so cheap....Boxcar...