The last trip to the 'Con proved too much for the stock running gear in my daughter's Scout:( It's time for an upgrade!

We're going with a welded 14 bolt with 4.10's in the rear and an 8-lug D44 with 4.10's and a power-lok in the front. High stear components will be used.

Project will start on Saturday and I'll post pics at each stage of the build-up.

Let the fun begin :skull:

So whats up with the old axles?

My Cj might need them.

all I have to say is use extra frame support. I'm having a bitch of a time keeping the stock frame under the fullwidth scout I built. all the extra leverage puts mad strain on everything! granted this one has front coils but just the same beef that paper thin bad boy up :D

Originally posted by Sillyneck
all I have to say is use extra frame support. I'm having a bitch of a time keeping the stock frame under the fullwidth scout I built. all the extra leverage puts mad strain on everything! granted this one has front coils but just the same beef that paper thin bad boy up :D

I agree, after weldin up Josh's frame last weekend I was suprised at the frame construction

Thanks for the suggestions! Where are the weak points?

Originally posted by Monkeyboy
So whats up with the old axles?

My Cj might need them.

Let's talk ;)

Originally posted by Rubicrawler
Thanks for the suggestions! Where are the weak points?

Well, josh's frame split at both welds on the bottom. I was suprised to see it was welded plate instead of tubing or c channel. Personally, I'd plate the frame around the spring hangers for a foot or so to spread the load as a start. Maybe look at the crossmembers as well

Originally posted by Rubicrawler
Thanks for the suggestions! Where are the weak points?

http://www.off-road.com/~jweed/frametip.htm


I "plate" the entire frame (both sides) from the front body mount forward

Originally posted by ol John Henry


http://www.off-road.com/~jweed/frametip.htm


I "plate" the entire frame (both sides) from the front body mount forward

Beat me too it. :p

Originally posted by ol John Henry


http://www.off-road.com/~jweed/frametip.htm


I "plate" the entire frame (both sides) from the front body mount forward

Thanks for the link ;)

Originally posted by Rubicrawler


Thanks for the link ;)

Mark also look into a steering brace. Snoop or John at BCB should be able to sell you one. It ties the frame rails together at the steering box to avoid such poroblems.

Originally posted by jdjanda


Mark also look into a steering brace. Snoop or John at BCB should be able to sell you one. It ties the frame rails together at the steering box to avoid such poroblems.

Thats all it does? doesnt mount to the box? Ok, cool. :D

Originally posted by jdjanda


Mark also look into a steering brace. Snoop or John at BCB should be able to sell you one. It ties the frame rails together at the steering box to avoid such poroblems.

Yeah- we discussed that on the last trip. It's on the to-do list!

Originally posted by jdjanda


Mark also look into a steering brace. Snoop or John at BCB should be able to sell you one. It ties the frame rails together at the steering box to avoid such poroblems.

:confused: It's like 3.00 worth of steel to make one!:flipoff2:

Originally posted by Old Scout


:confused: It's like 3.00 worth of steel to make one!:flipoff2:

really? I thought the stuff in my scrap pile was free ;)

You might want to look at all the spring hanger attachment points and consider replacing or rewelding/reinforcing them...my stock front shackle hanger detached last wheeling trip...gonna fix them all right this winter.

HTH,
:flipoff2:

Originally posted by mike


really? I thought the stuff in my scrap pile was free ;)

Great what's your address?:flipoff2:

Originally posted by Old Scout


Great what's your address?:flipoff2:

Grab me an sm465 and I'll tell ya ;)


and I'll point you to my scrap pile :D

good pics to make your own "blueprint" from


http://members.aol.com/suprscout/straightsteer.htm

Originally posted by ol John Henry
good pics to make your own "blueprint" from


http://members.aol.com/suprscout/straightsteer.htm
Already have a template made. just need some 3"x 0.250" steel


http://pics.montypics.com/Old_Scout/2002-07-31/ss_brace.jpg


Y ya I know dirty floor:flipoff2:

Flat stock? I was thinkin tube...

Originally posted by mike
Flat stock? I was thinkin tube...

No room for tube. The brace makes a backing plate for the stering box and the motor mount is right next to it

http://members.aol.com/superscout14/ststeer3.jpg

I looked at that, theres room for tubing


got bender?













it's like jello :D

well maybe there is and NO!:flipoff2:

Cold saw and welder YES so flat it is!

take a pic of the underside, see if you can fit 2" in there going forward. I can bend :p

The flat-plate stuff tucks just under the oil-pan.

The pan is already often times pretty close to the draglink, so a thicker plate (aka "box tubing") may get in the way more often.

That said, I haven't felt the need for any straight-steer gimmicks.

I took a piece of 4"x12"x.250 flat plate, put it against a spare frame, C-clamped it, drill the box mounting holes, then took it back to my Scout, pulled the box bolts, and slid the plate between the box and the frame.

12" goes from the front core support mount all the way back to the shock mount (I think).

Works fine, and you can just weld it to the frame if you want.

Weighs less than a straight-steer, too. :flipoff2:

Originally posted by tsm1mt

That said, I haven't felt the need for any straight-steer gimmicks.

Weighs less than a straight-steer, too. :flipoff2:

Thats why I was thinkin round tube. Also would kind of work the same way chevy basket motor mounts do

Picked up the 8-lug D44 on Saturday, ripped out the stock D44 and have the "new" D44 slung under and in place. I just need some new ubolts and hardware and it's in. Gettin' closer :skull:

More to follow!

Originally posted by Rubicrawler
Picked up the 8-lug D44 on Saturday, ripped out the stock D44 and have the "new" D44 slung under and in place. I just need some new ubolts and hardware and it's in. Gettin' closer :skull:

More to follow!

Uhm full width, got gears?

Don't forget the new brakelines :p

Originally posted by jdjanda


Uhm full width, got gears?

Don't forget the new brakelines :p

4.10's and new brakelines are a must;)

I received a steer-straight, straight-steer whatever from an editor of a magazine at one time. He asked me to use it and tell him what I thought.

First of all my knucles weren't turned at the time and I barely had enough time to fix cracks, change spring bushings when they needed them and all that other stuff that helps a Scout steer straight. Honestly, I couldn't tell any difference with it on or off, but I did leave it on as an added cross member and some suport for the steering box since I only added plate to the outside of the frame.

Now that I think of it, when I pulled the warn bumber off my Scout, I could see that the front corners of the frame were cracked anyway.

So if anyone wants one, I could sell you mine, but that sucka is heavy.

I just finished the 14 bolt. I can't find my measuring tape for the life of me or I'd measure a couple of things for ya....

U-bolts - I don't remember if they are 3" or 3.25"
Spring perches - same

Besides that, It needs cleaning, grinding (lip), a pinion bolt (lost in my garage ;) , and some diff cover bolts. I can finish that stuff. Just not tonight. :beer:

Oh... You'll need straps for the u-joint/yoke. I got this from the chevy guys... "The pricision straps are 429-10 i think, or 492-10." Whatever... I had to burr mine out a bit. We may have to do a bit more homework to get it right.

--JoshC

Has anyone really had a need for an extra crossmember (ala straight-steer) so close to the original one? It can't hurt I guess, but I think it's just something that will be in the way sooner or later. Welded gussets for the spring hangers and 3/16"+ plate between the steering box and frame are a must.