I'm writing this up because I've found myself trying to help lost souls on Facebook groups and elsewhere with their SOA/SF dreams/fears. Lots of guys think they need to sink $$$$$$ into full 1 ton high steer setups for SOA'd trucks that will rarely see the offroad. I'm here to help. When I first did my SOA on my 1989 Grand Wagoneer, I was a poor college kid and I wanted to do it cheaply yet still do it properly. I didn't want to end up on the "Scary Steering" thread with pictures of all the Z bars and poorly welded extensions.
So, here it is. The absolute cheapest way you can build "Done Right" SOA steering for any later model driver side drop Wag/J-truck axle.
Step 1: Acquire a 70's FSJ passenger side flat top knuckle. These can be had from junkyards, from forum classifieds, swap meets, whatever. Get one. You can identify your steering knuckle of choice by using this very useful website: http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/flatop_knucles.html
Step 2: Get that flat top knuckle drilled and machined for a high steer arm. This is the gentleman I use: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flat-top-knuckl ... 0185812467
Step 3: Acquire a high-clearance, extra-thick passenger side high steer arm with the standard GM taper. The Grand Wagoneer drag link uses that GM taper. Also acquire the studs and conical washers to mount said arm. You need the thick high clearance style to clear the spring packs. Alternatively, you can use a standard width arm with a 1" spacer but that adds another failure contact point and most don't like them. Here is one option, you can shop around. Most any will work. http://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/Dana-44-1 ... /3461/3709
Step 4: Buy yourself a pair of RH/LH 7/8-18 threaded tube inserts and a pair of matching LH/RH jam nuts. http://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/7-8-18-Th ... -Tube/3392
Step 5: Measure your stock drag link's length from pitman arm to tie rod. Write it down. Measure how long your stock drag link adjuster collar is. Write that down too. Using your MK1 Eyeballs, measure the distance from your pitman arm to the estimated spot your new crossover arm's tapered hole will be. If you aren't super sure, a little shorter is better than longer. Do some math. With the numbers you have, you can figure out how long you need to build a new adjuster collar to make the drag link long enough to reach the new high steer arm.
Step 6: Buy some .25 wall steel tube and cut it to length and weld in your tube inserts. Screw in your drag link with your new jam nuts. Enjoy proper SOA steering on the cheap, using stock FSJ parts.
For those who may argue about strength, I am not going to say this setup is Rubicon rated or even particularly stout for that matter. It sure as hell is stronger than what most baby jeep guys think is acceptable. I wheeled/Daily Drove this Wagoneer with this exact steering setup for about 2 years and now the exact same arm and adjuster collar are living in another Wagoneer in my club. It works, it's cheap, and you can go to any parts house to buy standard FSJ replacement steering components without having a notebook of part numbers.
Whew, now I can just give guys this link instead of having to explain it 40 times.