bobbycas67
Member
I installed a front Scout II Dana 44 on my Scout 80 today and its offset to the driver's side by 1". Is that a big problem?
axle offset
- Thread starter bobbycas67
- Start date
Scooter
Active member
Other than possibilities of crab walking and not really be able to get aligned correctly, then there would be problems. I got your p.m. But haven't been able to reply till now.
Main question is why is it offset? 75 Scout II and 65 Scout 800 have two different frame widths. How did you grind and mount the leaf spring on the passenger side? Something aint adding up. Do some measuring between your old axle and the new axle. I read a thread recently of you asking about grinding the axle for the mounting u-bolts. Are you doing SOA?
Main question is why is it offset? 75 Scout II and 65 Scout 800 have two different frame widths. How did you grind and mount the leaf spring on the passenger side? Something aint adding up. Do some measuring between your old axle and the new axle. I read a thread recently of you asking about grinding the axle for the mounting u-bolts. Are you doing SOA?
bobbycas67
Member
The previous owner installed fj40 leaf springs which are 3" wide. I'm staying s.u.a. So the u-bolt does fit between the leaf spring and the pumpkin. I had to drill a second hole on the perch that's already casted on the housing about 1/2" towards the passenger side that also made the driver's side perch land perfect on the driver's side leaf spring bolt. But when I measured the distance from the frame I discovered the driver's side had about an 1" more than the passenger side. The leaf springs are not tightened yet so that might make a difference also.
Scooter
Active member
At the moment, the only thing that comes to mind is that the new holes were added in the wrong direction.
As I mentioned earlier, the newer 75 scouts have a different width in frame compared to your 65 Scout. Which also translates to a slight difference in axle width. Also, translating to the locating hole in axle spring pads on axle housing will be slightly different.
This is all taken in account with stock oem leaf springs. When, as you're experiencing, we deal with po virus work arounds, some ingenuity needs to come into play to correct the problem.
As I mentioned earlier, the newer 75 scouts have a different width in frame compared to your 65 Scout. Which also translates to a slight difference in axle width. Also, translating to the locating hole in axle spring pads on axle housing will be slightly different.
This is all taken in account with stock oem leaf springs. When, as you're experiencing, we deal with po virus work arounds, some ingenuity needs to come into play to correct the problem.
1badscout1
New member
In my opinion you need to start completely over. Fj40 springs do not belong on your vehicle in any way shape or form! If your going to do custom stuff to your old Scout you need to be able to fabricate and build parts that are not available. Scout 80's are not for the "bolt on crowd" if you need to be "that guy"... Then you should probably buy a Jeep so there are a ton of stuff for you to buy and bolt on. I don't mean to be a d1ck and much rather encourage you to keep building the Scout and not a heep.
However you got to belly up to the table and fix your Scout correctly or take it to a professional who can!
The dangers of driving your Scout with improperly built drivetrain can kill you or somebody else!!
if this vehicle is driven off road only then 1" offset is no big deal and the dangers of the handling of the vehicle being screwed up won't matter much.
If this vehicle is to be driven on the road then you need to get a set of springs, hangers, brackets and all of the suspension hardware off a Scout 80 or upgrade to a Scout 800 that has bigger bushings. The other option is to get all of the same parts off the front of a Scout 2 and do the same thing. I have explained on another one of your posts about installing Scout 2 springs all the way around on your Scout 80. This is my personal preference.
When installing a axle and new mounts I use the triangle method. The tip of the triangle is going to be dead center of your vehicle. The measurements you take from the center to the axle tube are the sides of the triangle and the axle is the bottom of the trangle. For example.... You can measure between your frame rails for center of your vehicle. (Mark it on transmission crossmember) measure from that point in center of vehicle to a spot that is the same between both sides of the axle you are installing. (I like to use where the axle tube and c's come together) once the measurements are identical between the driver and passenger side then your axle housing is straight. If you had done this you would have noticed your axle was offset and that your mounts needed to be moved and or all the suspension redone.
Good luck bud and I hope you come up with something that will keep your Scout safe and reliable!
However you got to belly up to the table and fix your Scout correctly or take it to a professional who can!
The dangers of driving your Scout with improperly built drivetrain can kill you or somebody else!!
if this vehicle is driven off road only then 1" offset is no big deal and the dangers of the handling of the vehicle being screwed up won't matter much.
If this vehicle is to be driven on the road then you need to get a set of springs, hangers, brackets and all of the suspension hardware off a Scout 80 or upgrade to a Scout 800 that has bigger bushings. The other option is to get all of the same parts off the front of a Scout 2 and do the same thing. I have explained on another one of your posts about installing Scout 2 springs all the way around on your Scout 80. This is my personal preference.
When installing a axle and new mounts I use the triangle method. The tip of the triangle is going to be dead center of your vehicle. The measurements you take from the center to the axle tube are the sides of the triangle and the axle is the bottom of the trangle. For example.... You can measure between your frame rails for center of your vehicle. (Mark it on transmission crossmember) measure from that point in center of vehicle to a spot that is the same between both sides of the axle you are installing. (I like to use where the axle tube and c's come together) once the measurements are identical between the driver and passenger side then your axle housing is straight. If you had done this you would have noticed your axle was offset and that your mounts needed to be moved and or all the suspension redone.
Good luck bud and I hope you come up with something that will keep your Scout safe and reliable!