I've got a 69 scout 800a w/a smallblock chevy. planning on SOA,reverse shackle & need advice on leaf spring options. I understand CJ springs will work but I'm looking for a longer/wider spring. I've also heard the wrangler rear springs to be an option, but they will sag more due to the difference in weight

WELCOME newbie:D

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:flipoff2: :rolleyes:

Use lifted YJ springs;) I used wagoneer springs but they are really long and hard to fit.

Stock ScoutII front springs work reasonably well for the front of an 800A w/soa and rs:

BinderNUT.......can you post a close up of the rear shackle mount in that pic por favor? And whats it made out of?

thank you;)

Originally posted by wycornbinder
I've got a 69 scout 800a w/a smallblock chevy. planning on SOA,reverse shackle & need advice on leaf spring options. I understand CJ springs will work but I'm looking for a longer/wider spring. I've also heard the wrangler rear springs to be an option, but they will sag more due to the difference in weight

From one Newbie to another


:flipoff2::flipoff2: Welcome :flipoff2::flipoff2:

Originally posted by Bindernut
Stock ScoutII front springs work reasonably well for the front of an 800A w/soa and rs:

My personal opinion is that Scout II springs are the wrong ones to use. They are too long (so you have to extend the frame considerably (3-4") to make your front tires be were they were supposed to be in the first place ~ let alone GAIN some approach) and the spring rate is for a 5100 lb vehicle, not a <4000.

Stiff and non-aproach angle freindly. Two BIG wammy's on the trail if you ask me. I'd search out a spring that was built for the weight of your rig. Since you've gone to a SB got get the thing weighted and compare it to the pre-97 wranglers. The nice thing about the 44044s is that they are for a lighter vehicle, built to flex rather well and (more important) they have an offset center pin so you can IMPROVE your approach rather than hinder it.

On the other hand, all this is coming from a guy that used the stock springs and got 1st in the RTI ramp at RMIHR 2001 - beating out a Scout II w/ buggies by 13-14" up the ramp. Sure the RTI is just a guage - nothing compared to *real life*, but I have to assume you want flex...right?

Originally posted by Dingo
BinderNUT.......can you post a close up of the rear shackle mount in that pic por favor?

NO!

And whats it made out of?

Steel.

thank you;)

no problem. :flipoff2::p



















Nah, I'm just fawkin' with ya. :D I don't have a close up of the rear mount, but I can describe to you how I built it.

My brother and I took a 3x4 piece of 1/4" angle, and welded a short section of 2x4x.25" box section to the shorter leg of it, open end up. The box section has a bushing-sized hole through it, with a round sleeve welded in to hold the spring bushing. Then, the entire angle piece is welded up to the frame, all the way around, with the vertical part of the angle up the inside of the frame.

Originally posted by Snoopy


My personal opinion is that Scout II springs are the wrong ones to use. They are too long (so you have to extend the frame considerably (3-4") to make your front tires be were they were supposed to be in the first place ~ let alone GAIN some approach) and the spring rate is for a 5100 lb vehicle, not a <4000. Stiff and non-aproach angle freindly. Two BIG wammy's on the trail if you ask me. I'd search out a spring that was built for the weight of your rig.

I extended the frame a mere 2", as part of the design of the new crossmember. This Scout originally had a 196 in it, so I had to do a new one anyway. Used 4x6 box section, with the 4" dimension vertical. The 6" dimension is along the length of the Scout, and I cut it such that 4" of the 6" is from the front of the frame back, in between the framerails, and the remaining 2" protrudes beyond the end of the existing frame.

The front axle ended up about an inch and a half forward from the stock location. I figured all that geometry out before I ever took the thing apart in the first place, and knew that's what I would end up with. <shrug>

With the fully dressed 345 swapped in, power steering, 4spd, etc, the 800A now is plenty appropriate weight on the front end for stock, high mileage SII springs.

Besides, I had them laying around. ;) I've nothing against the 44044 Jeep springs; I'm sure they work really well. I just didn't use them on this particular project.


Since you've gone to a SB got get the thing weighted and compare it to the pre-97 wranglers. The nice thing about the 44044s is that they are for a lighter vehicle, built to flex rather well and (more important) they have an offset center pin so you can IMPROVE your approach rather than hinder it.


Now *that* is a good point. His Scout isn't as heavy out front as the one we built, so SII springs may be too stiff. And, if you're going to go the extra length of those 44044's, it's a good thing they're offset, otherwise you really *would* have to lengthen the frame itself, instead of cheating and using the new crossmember like I did.

Here's all that the front end sticks out; approach angle has yet to be a limiting factor on this Scout:

Originally posted by Snoopy
but I have to assume you want flex...right?

Oh, missed that part. Yeah, I forgot to tell you, SII springs don't flex at all so you'd better not use them either. :flipoff2:


Actually, on the 800A in question, we *frequently* negatively arch the front springs (one side or the other) while the other is hanging from the frame, so they seem to have a good rate for our particular Scout. btw when I say *our* and "we", I'm talking about my brother and myself.

This picture doesn't show maximum flex, but gives some indication of how they work. I just happened to have it handy:

Definitely want flex,(right now I've got almost no resistance at all, the 33 year old springs are very tired, and the shocks are just as bad, front left shock is broke). I'm at 4440#'s total, with 2200#'s of that on the front end. I've a rectangular tube bumper already bolted on the front that's plenty stronger than the frame itself if it were welded on permanently. I planned on welding my spring perches to the underside of the bumper and angle them back as far as the springs will allow me, so as to not encroach too much on my approach angle. given the present condition of my suspension and the lack of $$ at the time(we're buying a house), I'm going to take care of the springs & shocks right now, and do my SOA in a couple months.
Are the pre 97 jeep springs longer or shorter than the scout II springs? I can get scout springs right here less than a mile away, the jeep springs I'd probably have to mail order or drive a ways.(the price I pay for living 100 miles from the middle of nowhere)

A YJ spring is ~45" eye to eye with a centered pin. The Waggoneers are ~46" with a 2" offset pin. I dunno anything about Scout II's so maybe someone else will chime in about Scout II spring length

Originally posted by Scout Dude
A YJ spring is ~45" eye to eye with a centered pin. The Waggoneers are ~46" with a 2" offset pin. I dunno anything about Scout II's so maybe someone else will chime in about Scout II spring length

42"-43" with a centered pin.

front of a 44044 is with in 1/2" of a Stock Scout II...

:D

I'll admit SII springs seem a little stiff for my *3700lbs* Scout II, but for a heavier trail rig, that'll be carrying tools and parts and the :beer: cooler?

It doesn't ride rough, just doesn't prance around on a ramp as well as it could.. :zzz:

http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/album35/DCP_0071.sized.jpg
http://www.m4x4a.org/ImageGallery/album35/DCP_0070.sized.jpg

I'll still plan on putting Scout II springs on Michelle's 800. She told me she won't give up her V8 to make the rig lighter. :flipoff2:

And what's this 44044s are from a lighter vehicle?? I've never heard anyone call a Waggy *light* before. :laughing:

Who has a good curb-weight on a Waggy? I figured they're heavier than an 800.. 4 doors, all that extra overhang and wheel base..

Is it me or does that guy look like he's taking a wiss in the engine bay?

Originally posted by Snoopy
Is it me or does that guy look like he's taking a wiss in the engine bay?


BWAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!!!....... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! ....... wait, which picture are you talking about again? :p:confused::question: