My official 80 build

[BLK Scout 800]

Originally Posted by JERM83

Thank you for the advice and nice Scout! I like the idea of running 52" springs up front if i don't have to extend the frame. If i do need to extend the frame i will just use 47"s. Got any more pictures of your suspension?

With the 52" chevy springs you will have to extend the frame a inch I think. It's been years so I don't remember the exact numbers sorry. I do remember the 52's needed leafs added to them to hold the weight of the 304. The 56's were much more durable and gave me quite a bit more flex, esp with the 63's in the rear.

Did you want a pic of my current suspension?

Originally Posted by chris fresh

blkscout, once upon a time huh!
wonder if he realizes where yer at now, show um a current suspention pic

Ya that was back in 2005 I believe. I wish I could do another full bodied build! Here is a current pic of the suspension Tacomajoe's buggy is on 44's also

[JERM83]

Yeah pics of both setups if you have them. The more pics people post the better, i love studying other peoples rigs for ideas.

[chris fresh]

Originally Posted by BLK Scout 800

With the 52" chevy springs you will have to extend the frame a inch I think. It's been years so I don't remember the exact numbers sorry. I do remember the 52's needed leafs added to them to hold the weight of the 304. The 56's were much more durable and gave me quite a bit more flex, esp with the 63's in the rear.

Did you want a pic of my current suspension?





Ya that was back in 2005 I believe. I wish I could do another full bodied build! Here is a current pic of the suspension Tacomajoe's buggy is on 44's also

DAMN YOU BLK SCOUT!!!!!!!!!!!,yer gonna make me start savin for coilovers,that thing is so bad ass!

[BLK Scout 800]

Originally Posted by JERM83

Yeah pics of both setups if you have them. The more pics people post the better, i love studying other peoples rigs for ideas.

I don't have much on this laptop, I'll have to dig out close up shots on my old computer. Here is another angle of what 52's will do, but that's all I got for now. At this point I'm on 38" TSL SX's and dana 44's BTW. Leafs work well for the money, but coilovers should be on your list if you want big flex with a smooth ride.

[BLK Scout 800]

Originally Posted by chris fresh

DAMN YOU BLK SCOUT!!!!!!!!!!!,yer gonna make me start savin for coilovers,that thing is so bad ass!

Thanks! Coilovers are very nice indeed

[JERM83]

Its been a while, so here's an update. Finally got my second set of steering u-joints from speedway (took about 2 weeks). I got a 4" K&N Air filter. I also had to replace the water pump twice. First one had a crack in it and i didn't find it until I started it up. Bought a new Performer intake, along with a Phenolic Carburetor Spacer and installed them. Today My cousin and my friend came over and we started the install of the power steering. We mounted the box to the frame, mounted the ps pump, installed the steering column, installed the steering u-joints, and made a Z bar. The Z bar isn't finished but it is close. The power steering box also needs a few more welds on it. Should have the power steering working very soon.
Here are some Pictures

This is the new filter and old intake

New Intake Installled

New Phenolic Carburetor Spacer Installed

Power Steering Box Mounted


Steering Column Installed



The New Z bar


More to come....

[danny Israel]

looking good keep it up.

[IDScout]

OMFG

Do YOU feel comfortable with the modifications you have done so far? Don't get discouraged, but you need to stand back and ask yourself that.

[JERM83]

Originally Posted by IDScout

OMFG

Do YOU feel comfortable with the modifications you have done so far? Don't get discouraged, but you need to stand back and ask yourself that.

YUP

[JERM83]

Its not finished, there is still quite a bit more to do. Don't judge so quickly

[IDScout]

Originally Posted by JERM83

YUP

It's your rig so I'll hold judgment till your done but.....................

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by IDScout

OMFG

Do YOU feel comfortable with the modifications you have done so far? Don't get discouraged, but you need to stand back and ask yourself that.

If your gonna rip on the guy atleast say why and give some guidance..



I'd do the mount different but hey, who knows - might work..

I wouldn't touch a Z bar but he doesn't want to dump money into a temp crappy axle so hey, it gets it going..

I wouldn't touch a carb but that's just me, once again a choice.

What else ya got?

[JERM83]

Yes, it is all temporary until i put my new 44 installed. I would have liked to mount the box closer to the frame, but i wanted to be able to remove the bolts easily if it needs to be removed for any reason, and i didn't want long bolts going through the frame to hold it. It already has gussets and will be plenty strong when it is finished. If you have any suggestions on ways to improve it, please let me know!

I would like to go EFI, but i would rather put the money that would cost into something else for now. In the future... who knows.

[Brandon]

I have ripped several boxes from the frame, you'd be surprised at the force at the box. I didn't say it wouldn't work though..

mine

[IDScout]

Originally Posted by Brandon

If your gonna rip on the guy atleast say why and give some guidance..

Yeah, I was trying not to "rip" him, but have HIM stand back and see if he could see anything to improve on. I could spout off what I would do but if he doesn't buy into it, it's pointless. He did take it really well though and seems open to suggestions so here goes.

I would get that steering box as close to the frame as possible. Decrease the leverage it will have to break things. I angled my box so I could sleeve 3 of the 4 bolt holes through the frame with one mounted directly on top.







I cut the stock exterior column mount from a donor Chevy truck and grafted it onto the scouts firewall as well as use the stock Scout mount by drilling a hole in the top of the column housing. You will need to cut some of the bell from the bottom of the Chevy column to get it to sit in right. The Chevy column housing is just a tad bigger than the Scout's so it will still clamp together with some longer bolts.





Those were the only two gripes I had and as Brandon stated, you would be surprised at what a steering box can do to a poorly made mount especially when you start adding bigger tires.

[JERM83]

Originally Posted by IDScout

Yeah, I was trying not to "rip" him, but have HIM stand back and see if he could see anything to improve on. I could spout off what I would do but if he doesn't buy into it, it's pointless. He did take it really well though and seems open to suggestions so here goes.

I would get that steering box as close to the frame as possible. Decrease the leverage it will have to break things. I angled my box so I could sleeve 3 of the 4 bolt holes through the frame with one mounted directly on top.







I cut the stock exterior column mount from a donor Chevy truck and grafted it onto the scouts firewall as well as use the stock Scout mount by drilling a hole in the top of the column housing. You will need to cut some of the bell from the bottom of the Chevy column to get it to sit in right. The Chevy column housing is just a tad bigger than the Scout's so it will still clamp together with some longer bolts.





Those were the only two gripes I had and as Brandon stated, you would be surprised at what a steering box can do to a poorly made mount especially when you start adding bigger tires.

I appreciate the advice. I have been concerned about the box tearing off the frame since day 1. We are really trying to re-enforce it so it does not tear away from the frame. If it does not work out, i will sleeve the frame. We do plan on running a support like yours on the ps box from just above the pitman arm to the other side of the frame.
We are going to build a steering column support under the dash, and another near the end in the engine compartment. I do like your mount under the dash.

[JERM83]

Today we finished up the Z bar, and got the scout driving. I still have a few things to finish up before i can drive it more, but it went up and down the street again for the first time in months! I still need to have a little more welding done to support the box more.

[IDScout]

What did you use for your engine cradle/crossmember?

[crashhawk]

Your "Z-bar" hurts my soul.

Other than that, lookin' good.

[chris fresh]

Originally Posted by crashhawk

Your "Z-bar" hurts my soul.

Other than that, lookin' good.

x2,almost spit my morning coffee out when i saw it.i like the build also,but that z bar should be on "there i fixed it"

[Urban Wheeler]

Originally Posted by BLK Scout 800

I don't have much on this laptop, I'll have to dig out close up shots on my old computer. Here is another angle of what 52's will do, but that's all I got for now. At this point I'm on 38" TSL SX's and dana 44's BTW. Leafs work well for the money, but coilovers should be on your list if you want big flex with a smooth ride.

I absolutely adore this version of your Scout.

[guidolyons]

Originally Posted by JERM83

Today we finished up the Z bar, and got the scout driving. I still have a few things to finish up before i can drive it more, but it went up and down the street again for the first time in months! I still need to have a little more welding done to support the box more.

"It's only temporary... unless it works!"-Red Green

I know that Z-bar is temporary, until you can get the axle swap and go hi-steer, but please for the love of god, don't drive that anywhere near a bus load of nuns. The tie rod looks like it's seen better days, too.

Other that that, it's looking better.

Engine crossmember looks like standard hot rod style from Speedway, etc.

I sleeved my PS box through the frame, too. I found a few more pics:






After I took this pic, vvvv I also welded large washers over the sleeves to help spread the load over more of the frame.


I chopped up the stock steering column bracket, added and extra piece of angle that ties into the pedal assembly and the firewall. On the engine side, it has a clamp at the fire wall and another u-bolt along the inner fender to clear the exhaust.

[aloharover]

Originally Posted by JERM83

not sure what is scarier, the hilift jack stands or the steering links.

[crashhawk]

Originally Posted by aloharover

not sure what is scarier, the hilift jack stands or the steering links.

Hi lift = 1 dude dead ( as Darwin would predict)

Steering link = Killing a bus load of autistic school children.

On second thought, the link may be fine for moving around your yard and checking some things.

The Hi lift as a means of support, just plain wrong.

[JERM83]

All of the parts are new on the Z bar. The other supports are not finished because I do not have a welder, and it gets welded as i can find people to weld for me. Any driving will be limited to streets only. I personally dont like Z bars, (even this one) but like i said before its all temporary until i put my 44 in. I just got offered a 12 bolt or a 9" for free for the rear last night also.