Axle to bumpstop measurement?

ronmc1954

ronmc1954

Member
I pulled the front wheel off my 74 Scout last night to measure the steering sector shaft and noticed the top of the axle to the bumpstop seemed rather close (1 1/2") and the new shock I put on did not seem very extended. Knowing this is 30+ year old spring what would be an acceptible measurement from top of axle to the bumpstop? I don't do alot of heavy off roading, but wondering how bad these springs are.
Measured my 75 and it has about 4", I think I just answered my own question.
Thanks
 
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I corrected my measurements; it would help if I got my facts straight before I post. If I go with a 2 1/2 inch spring lift will the require driveshaft changes and possibly brake lines and steering?
 
You shouldn't need new brake lines, but you will likely need to bend the front ones' rigid portions up a little. I ran my Scout II with a 2.5" lift for a number of years with the stock brake lines.

Lifting it might throw your drive-line angles off a little. You should take some measurements afterward and adjust accordingly with shims if you want avoid vibration.

I did not need to do anything to my steering when I lifted my Scout, except possibly recenter the steering wheel. It would be good to check your caster before and after... Most importantly after. You might need shims in the front as well after the lift to eliminate or at least minimize negative caster.
 
Thanks patrick, I am really not after more lift persay but I am pretty sure my springs a shot. I have thought about add-a-leaf's or an aftermarket lift kit (2.5) I priced oem springs (new ones) $1300 for the set wow! Right know I am leaning toward add-a-leafs, that would be the cheapest route and it would add a little "beef" to my springs.
Thanks
ron
 
$1300 for a set of oem springs? Are those the triangle springs? I remember triangle stock-height springs used to be available from sss, but they were nowhere near that expensive last I checked... However, it's been a few years since I looked.

Is this the same Scout for which you were asking about body lift etc. In the other post? If not... Since you are only looking to restore the height to original, you will certainly not need to do any mods.

I'm sure add-a-leafs will raise it up some, but they'll make it stiffer too. In some cases that can even be a good thing.
 
Patrick, yes this is the same 74 Scout that I did the 2" body lift on. The height is pretty good now but you can tell the rear springs are laying pretty flat and I can tell the front axle is bottoming out on the bumpstop and I have not even had this Scout in 4w drive yet. I have only had it for 2 months or so. Just fixing things as time and money permits. As far as the price of the springs I don't know the brand, I called a local spring shop and that's the price he quoted. The minute he said oe and no other option for an aftermarket brand I started looking at other options.
Thanks
 
Call alcan, they can make you a set of stock ride height springs that will be really really nice for much less than $1300 probably half that shipped.
 
Well there you go. Alcan sounds like the company to call.

Just for perspective, I was at a shop called national spring Here in san diego county last week having a set of axle u-bolts made, and I asked how much they'd want for a set of custom springs. They'd make a really nice set of new springs, any lift you'd want, but the price they charge is $695 per end. So that's about $1500 total, whether you are local and paid sales tax, or had them shipped.
 
Thanks for the info, Chad do you have anymore info for alcan, phone # or location?
Never mind Chad I googled them
thanks
 
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