I hope this question doesn't come across as dumb, but I have to ask.
The rig in question is my '68 Scout 800 with a v8, 4 spd, 4wd.
I've been asked by a few folks on why my rear axle appears to be set so far to the rear; the tires ain't centered in the wheel wells. I tell them that's the way they came from the factory. It does look odd, and I've had no problems with clearance until last summer. I put 31x10.5x15 tires on last spring. Then I hear, or read, that the v8 models have rear axles located about an inch farther to the rear than ones with the slant 4. Ya know, I just never paid attention to that detail, and I've never noticed any difference when some rigs were side by side like at last summer's Binder Bee. Then I read advice where the rear axle can be located further forward about an inch by drilling the spring perches and the springs to relocate the centering hole. That just seems bs to my way of think'in. I would think putting a hole other than centered in a leaf spring pack is going to induce uneven spring rate or stress on either side of the arc of the springs.
As I said, I've had no problems with clearance until last summer. I was negotiating a gnarly trail down a hill cross a creek. It only rubs the rear of the wheel well when the axle is well compressed on one side.
So my questions are, am I on target as to disagreeing with the method suggested on relocating the axle? Is moving it forward more helpful than a lift? My driveline angles are at max already with the d18 and the centered diff rear axle. I figure any changes are going to lead to retooling the driveline anyway.
The last is: is there any difference in rear axle location between a 4cyl or 8cyl rig?
The rig in question is my '68 Scout 800 with a v8, 4 spd, 4wd.
I've been asked by a few folks on why my rear axle appears to be set so far to the rear; the tires ain't centered in the wheel wells. I tell them that's the way they came from the factory. It does look odd, and I've had no problems with clearance until last summer. I put 31x10.5x15 tires on last spring. Then I hear, or read, that the v8 models have rear axles located about an inch farther to the rear than ones with the slant 4. Ya know, I just never paid attention to that detail, and I've never noticed any difference when some rigs were side by side like at last summer's Binder Bee. Then I read advice where the rear axle can be located further forward about an inch by drilling the spring perches and the springs to relocate the centering hole. That just seems bs to my way of think'in. I would think putting a hole other than centered in a leaf spring pack is going to induce uneven spring rate or stress on either side of the arc of the springs.
As I said, I've had no problems with clearance until last summer. I was negotiating a gnarly trail down a hill cross a creek. It only rubs the rear of the wheel well when the axle is well compressed on one side.
So my questions are, am I on target as to disagreeing with the method suggested on relocating the axle? Is moving it forward more helpful than a lift? My driveline angles are at max already with the d18 and the centered diff rear axle. I figure any changes are going to lead to retooling the driveline anyway.
The last is: is there any difference in rear axle location between a 4cyl or 8cyl rig?
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