suspension build

T

tech.pfarr

New member
I broke my driver rear leaf spring today and now thinking a suspension build. I'm currently running 31" tires and would like to go bigger 35's or 36". It seems to me that in order to achieve this I need to go with a SOA conversion or can I get away with SUA lift ? If so any ideas where to go for the lift kit?
 
Without doing a SOA, 2" lift springs on all four corners would allow 33" shoes, with no issues. Which is pretty much what I'm sporting in my 72 yellow Scout.

Stock Scout springs and a SOA could net ya 33" shoes. Might be able squeeze 35". But I would go with at least 2" left springs, if not 4" springs.

Or, as mentioned by trever, do some trimming around the fender wheel wells. Not something that I'm too fond of, but to each their own.
 
Kimball, I've not done it myself, but I've always read that SOA with stock springs will net roughly 5.5 inches of suspension lift. Seems that would clear a 35 inch tire adequately? However, I have a 4 inch spring lift on hooty and I can still munch 33" swampers into the rear wheel well if I try hard enough.:frown2: might could use some new, thicker axle bump stops, I reckon.
 
You are correct on the 5.5" net lift, just in doing the SOA. Before I rolled my 74 Scout with SOA and 2" springs, I think, I never had a chance to see if 35" meats would actually fir or not. The 32's that I was sporten, seemed to work well at the time.

I just now double checked my mellow yellow 72 and is definitely still sprung under and sporten 33 x 12.5 x 15 bridgestone's. Which is shown in the link provided earlier. I could be wrong on what amount of lift springs that are mounted, but I'm guessing 2". It's current stance is how I got it.
 
You're probably right about the springs on 'ol yeller. I just reviewed your pics and it appears you have at least an inch or more of body lift going on judging by the gap between your step bumper and body tin in the rear. That helps clear big tires too.
 
I'm getten a good work out from triple checken big bird. Forgot that a po had installed 1.5" pucks. Which adds to the additional lift
 
Thanks for the info. I think that 33" tires and a 4" spring under lift will do for now as I don't want to get into a SOA conversion just yet. If any fabricating is done it will be a coil over or nothing.
 
I run 33x10.50 inch tires with 4 inch springs, and extended shackles. It rubs a little, but not bad, and only when the suspension is twisted to the max. I would like more clearance under the axles, but just haven't gone to spring over yet
as for idea on the lift kit, ask Jeff about the CPT 4 inch Scout II kit. He has been working on developing one, and as your doing the lift might as well up grade to the CPT heavy duty u bolts and spring plates, they also give a little extra clearance.
 
Ya does good, what really makes the most difference on the trail is lockers.

Im out in Colorado and can do most trails out here. You can google these to get an idea. I tried 21 road, but didn't make it and really it is to rough. A Scout on 33's and locked is comfortable on wheeler lake, poughkeepsie gulch, and doable challenge would be holy cross.

Iv 4 wheeled along time, and used good common sense, and been a lot of places and done it responsible and in a safe manner. As you start exploring more difficult trails remember to learn as you go, its not a race, and some good common sense will go a long way.

One thing I notice on my Scout being 36 year old vehicle, is that where the spring hangers are welded to the frame, they like to break off 4 wheeling. Some reinforcing in that area is a good idea, I had the local 4x4 shop weld in some gussets.
 
I was wondering about those hangers. I'v been wheeling a toyota and this is my first Scout or International for that matter. Before the toy I had a power wagon with a 318. I'm real excited to have this Scout with a decent size v-8 but just need to get some clearance for the trails around the sierra's.
 
Awesome, you will probably find your "new" Scout is going to ride a whole lot rougher then the toyota. But once you get in the grove you will love it. Don't expect whopping horse power from the IH v 8 but it will live forever, and chug up anything at a nice low rpm.
Ya get some 33's and maybe a locker, and hit up the rubicon, its on my bucket list....
 
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