spring over on a scout 80

timleisy

New member
I just bought a bone stock 1965 Scout 80. This is my first prject vehicle. I have good mech. Knowledge and skills as well as all tools needed for this project. What want to know is what is the best way to gain about 4" of lift on this truck. I want to do a spring over but am not sure what parts can be reused and what I will need to replace or modify. Is it just spring perches and u bolts? Help.
 
You will have to adjust pinion and caseter angles as well. Most spring over info related to scouts I have read deals primarily with 44's. Most people are cutting and turning the knuckles or dealing with poor pinion or caster angles.

Parts are as you listed, though the steering May need to be swapped/modded as well with your d27
 
"which" axle set is under the rig now? Oem "possibles" are a Dana 27 set front and rear which was the "standard axle setup. A d27 front and a Dana 44 "tapered hub" axle was the "option axle package" (the oem d44 would have an offset center section, about 2", towards the passenger side). Along with the option axles were at least three differnt brake sets spread from the start of production until eop sometime in the m/y 1966 transition to the Scout 800 platform.

What is your intended primary purpose for this rig?

Is the engine a basic "stocker" 152?

What transmission/transfer case are/will ya use?

What is the "end user" tire size ya wish to run?

What steering setup do you want to use in the future? Is the current steering the oem ross box?

Is this just a "git by" deal for now, or do you have future plans which will depend upon budget?

There are several routes you could take here right now as far as achieving "lift" and additional tire clearance. But let's look at "now" and the "future"!!!

The more info we have upfront, the more pointed the advice for your application can be! Most important...the budget!

Welcome to the forum!
 
Also it should be noted that you stated that you wanted 4"s of lift. A basic spring over is going to net you closer to 6" of lift. Just food for thought. Your biggest hurdle is as Mike and plug pointed out your axles and budget.
Edit: I thought I would add a few things to think about to mikes list so this is in addition too.

1) the 80 springs: these are 1 1/2 wide and short, allot of the folks swap in Scout II or other springs, 2 1/2 Chevy springs are a also a very good and popular choice. If you choose to stay spring under a 4" lift could be achieved by changing spring and swapping in Scout II running gear. This has been done many times
2) as Mike pointed out, your steering with need to be addressed at both the axle and the method in which it is applied to the axle. Also a consideration in axle choice I.e. High steer, dom tie rods, 1 ton tie rod ends, hydro assist. All become options with the proper axle swap
3) brakes, with larger tires and what not comes the need for better larger brakes. Again the proper axle choice will help you solve this riddle.
4) gears, also touching on what Mike said if your motor config is a 152, 3 speed Dana 18 t-case then gears become all the more important when increasing tire size. You mentioned that you have the mechanical skills to perform all of this so I am sure this is information that you already know but I would be remiss if I didn't point it out. A

lastly a question. Have you built a vehicle before? If so that you are fully aware of how budgets explode and nothing turns out the way you expected it too. If not please check this out.

build rules
 
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