Got a 71 Scout II stock axles (fr-d30, re-d44 both 3.31) 345, stock tranny and transfer case. Running 33" tires w/ lift. I might have the opportunity to pick up a d60 full floating rear with 4.10's and a front d44 with 4.10's from a 76 dodge power wagon. Just talked to the guy today, by chance, and he is going to get me some measurements. If it all fits what would be the issues I would face along with the positives and negatives. Thoughts...
Dana 60
- Thread starter hillbry
- Start date
Scoutboy74
Moderator
The considerations that I can think of (there May be more) are: full width donors versus narrow stockers. So if having the wheels sticking out past the sheet metal bothers you, you'd be looking at narrowing the tubes and shafts. A lot of the full size truck suspensions are spring over axle, which can be cool if that is a direction you're wanting to go in. I'm assuming the lift you have currently is in the form of lift springs in the spring under axle configuration. Lift springs plus SOA nets a tremendous amount of lift, most likely more than you would want. There will likely be some front steering geometry and linkage issues to deal with as well. The spring perches on the donor axles aren't going to line up with the Scout frame anyway, so you'd be looking at relocation. How about the offset on the donor front driving axle? Is it to the passenger side (lhd) like the Scout axle? Then there's the difference in wheel lug pattern.
Chris Pucci
Active member
The dodge axles are going to be much wider than your current Scout axles 60" vs 67".
The front d44 should have disc brakes and be passneger drop, and already SOA.
But it will not line right up to your factory springs, the perches are too wide. So you need to do some work to fix that. The dodge axle is less desirable than the Chevy d44 due to the perch distance....
You also need to address the steering through a high-steer conversion or some other means. Then adapt the brake lines, then swap out your brake booster, prop. Valve and mc for the disc brake ones from a later model Scout. Then.... You get the idea.
The rear is easy as you just need to move the perches to the right spot and adapt the brake lines.
The front d44 should have disc brakes and be passneger drop, and already SOA.
But it will not line right up to your factory springs, the perches are too wide. So you need to do some work to fix that. The dodge axle is less desirable than the Chevy d44 due to the perch distance....
You also need to address the steering through a high-steer conversion or some other means. Then adapt the brake lines, then swap out your brake booster, prop. Valve and mc for the disc brake ones from a later model Scout. Then.... You get the idea.
The rear is easy as you just need to move the perches to the right spot and adapt the brake lines.