center of perch to centoer of perch measurment needed.

["D"]

I ran off and left the 78 scout 44 axle at my shop and I needed to get the center to center spring perch measurment.

Anyone know this off hand? I thought it was right at 31" last time i checked, but you never know.

Thanks

[ihman]

your correct it is 31"...

[RustoleumWhite]

actually.. 30.5 to be exsact... but you know, I should check that..
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Nope, my bad. ihman is right, almost exactly 31"

FYI, a Chevy D44 is 31.75".... I *just* happen to have them sitting right next to each other.....:rolleyes:

[jdjanda]

Originally posted by RustoleumWhite

FYI, a Chevy D44 is 31.75".... I *just* happen to have them sitting right next to each other.....:rolleyes:

Yeah no kidding on the 31.75, hence the new spring mounts for me. :emb:

[RustoleumWhite]

Originally posted by jdjanda


Yeah no kidding on the 31.75, hence the new spring mounts for me. :emb:

Actually, if your doing Scout II (can't remeber... too many rigs here), the stock mounts will work just fine.

Hoop's did, and we used a GM front on it. Just pull them apart a bit.

Unless your going wider, don't make the mistake I did and set 2-1/2" springs up at 32" center-center..... I lost quite a bit of turning radious...

Going to Ford or GM outers would (will) help...

just my $.02

-mark

[ihman]

couldn't you just oval the GM perch hole out abit and grind them, so the U bolts set flush against the springs?

[nwmud]

I'm using 2 1/4 inch wide springs from a 1968 Ford 1/2 ton 2WD pick up. Can't remember the center pin but they are a lot longer than the Scout springs. Also lots thinner and more flexy. I will prove it one day that my truck will flex with the bext of them - MAYBE:)

Ritch

[tsm1mt]

Originally posted by ihman
couldn't you just oval the GM perch hole out abit and grind them, so the U bolts set flush against the springs?

Put the axle in place.

Lower the weight of the Scout onto the springs (some of it, not all).

Hit springs with 3lbs sledge and make 'em line up with the center pin holes.

Install U-bolts. Use some 1/4" shims on either side of the springs to keep the U-bolts flush with the shims, flush with the springs.

DONE.

There's NO need to move the perches, move the springs, oval holes.. blah blah.

They work fine as is. There's enough slop in your bushings you don't need to worry about it. :D

Or maybe my front end setup really doesn't work?

What's the downside of the springs being pushed out a bit more?

The GM axle lined up quicker/easier/better than my stock Scout front end did when I put in the 4" lift. I had more trouble getting the Skyjackers to line up.

[jdjanda]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I could just force the issue but why? I've got the new spring mounts built, with an extra inch of lift :D. I need the extra lift to match the rear. It is also a good time to beef up the spring hangers, the new spring hangers are mounted to 3/8 plate, as I've already torn one of the stock mounts 3/4 of the way off the frame. If your going to do it do it right.

Joe

[RustoleumWhite]

Originally posted by jdjanda
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I could just force the issue but why? I've got the new spring mounts built, with an extra inch of lift :D. I need the extra lift to match the rear. It is also a good time to beef up the spring hangers, the new spring hangers are mounted to 3/8 plate, as I've already torn one of the stock mounts 3/4 of the way off the frame. If your going to do it do it right.

Joe

that works <g>

cince you building new, you can make an effor to inboard them even more. That's were I always seemed to run my tires, and I LIKE a tight turning radius...

You *should* be able to weld and re-drill the cast in pin hole 1/4" to make use of the cast in u-bolt channel, and then put the outer u-bolt on the casting, using 2" springs. This would allow a closer to stock center distance, and more clearance.


Or if your going RC like me, put them directly under the frame and put the pumpkin where ever you want (if your going custom width D44 you can do this as well)


refreash my memorey on what your doing Joe???

[jdjanda]

Originally posted by RustoleumWhite


refreash my memorey on what your doing Joe???

First thing to go is the memory.

I'm in the middle of the front axle swap, the axle is an IH or Dodge front end, not sure which it is. Distance between perches is 32, with the spring right up against the diff cover, so I can't move the springs any further inbound. I'm moving the springs out 1/2 inch on each side, using new front spring mounts. The forward most spring mount will reuse the stock bushing mount, with a built up mount, starting with 3/8 plate, half of 2" 1/4 square tube, then the stock bushing mount. Will give me about 1 1/4 more lift for the front. The rear fixed mount is a 3x4 1/4 tube, cut in half mounted to 3/8 plate, with the hole lowered 1 inch. The new mounts are all beefy as hell.

The front axle will wind up at about 64.5 total, the rear is at 63.5. Pushes the tires about about 2 inches on each side. I should net a total of 7 inches of lift from the SOA when done. The setup should flex like a mofo. I'll trim the fenders after the first run, I might take the sawzall and trim as I go :D

Joe

[ihman]

Originally posted by tsm1mt


Put the axle in place.

Lower the weight of the Scout onto the springs (some of it, not all).

Hit springs with 3lbs sledge and make 'em line up with the center pin holes.

Install U-bolts. Use some 1/4" shims on either side of the springs to keep the U-bolts flush with the shims, flush with the springs.



But you ground your spring pads didn't you? I was doing a search and found an old topic of the day"SOA"....

Originally posted by tsm1mt
"Little Devil"

Pre-RS.

Housing - ground the spring perches to fit the U-bolts against the narrower 2" springs.

[tsm1mt]

Originally posted by ihman


But you ground your spring pads didn't you? I was doing a search and found an old topic of the day"SOA"....



I did, on my first axle. Waste of time.

The new axle is getting custom U-bolt plates and essentially 1/4" shims on either side of the spring.

From left to right, U-bolt, 1/4" shim, 2" spring, 1/4" shim, U-bolt.

Easier, faster, and perhaps stronger.

I had problems with the new U-bolt channel groove on the outboard side of the passenger front perch. It kept popping off the diff casting and onto the tube. With the new setup, the U-bolt sits on the tube just like Chevy wanted it to - no place for it to pop off to.