Scout II Suspension

[surveyor cruiser]

Hey all, just crossed from land cruisers into the Scout 2 world.

Working with a 1980 SII with a SD33T, T19, D44 w/ 3.54 and 245/75/16's.

Its use is commuting in snow during winter months and gentle to moderate trail use a the rig is too clean as a whole to abuse.

Stocks springs are wore out and the above listed tires rub a little in the front.

Shackle reversal is going to happen.

Going to stay spring under.

The question is what spring to run?
I was thinking the skyjacker's would be easy but not cheap... it always works that way. Contemplating switching to chevy springs in the rear and maybe the front too. The rear springs will be 63 " and outboarded.
The front I am thinking a 7 leaf stock grand wagoneer spring. Have found much info on these spring app's with spring over but little to non on spring under. Input is appreciated. Thanks.

[crashhawk]

www.binderplanet.com

They'll have all the info you need, and they're geared more toward the DD/ mild build crowd.

[Urban Wheeler]

There are spring threads in the FAQ.

[surveyor cruiser]

I have read the FAQ and check out binder planet and binder bulletin and IH North. Everything I have seen covers spring swaps in a spring over situation. I am going to stay spring under and seek a 2-3 inch lift. The question I am posing is has anyone had good success with a spring swap in when spring under, or is the best answer to shell out the cash for a skyjacker kit which I am skeptical of.

My thoughts are grand wagoneer front springs, a stock 7 leaf pack for the front with a shackle reversal. For the rear a chevy of ford 1 ton spring. All in a spring under. I am not opposed to a spring over but do not want to deal with a cut and turn in the front end and do not seek any larger than a 32" tire. Input is appreciated and yes I have spent hours searching.
Thanks.

[ChiScouter]

If you have checked out all those other forums doesn't it seem like this is the least likley one to have info on SUA?

[surveyor cruiser]

enjoy your body rotted scout in chicago and wheelin in corn and soy

[surveyor cruiser]

Enjoy wheelin in corn and soy field with you rusted out scout

[JetFxr]

I have had a ton of experience with lift springs, that said Skyjacker soft rides with elderbrock or blistine shocks are the way to go. The other springs like rough country, or other off shore springs ride like shit. This forum is not ideal for this type of build but that said you will still want to look at cut and turn for caster as the stock axle will suck even more with lift. If your going to look at shackle reverse you should not balk at a cut and turn. Sky jacker has good ride quality and the lift has held up well for me in the past, I would also look at a sway bar from IHOnlyNorth, I have one on a SOA DD that really helps the handling on this truck. One thing you should look into with the shackle reverse is what could happen with hard braking or when the shackles unload in a down hill situation. I don't think the backyard engineers look at these situations as much as needed. IMO option when the shackles both unload in the same direction it could be dangerous or at least eye opening I think that Jeep or IH would have done it if theres truly a benefit that out weighted the short falls. But this is only one mans option, and I have owned a Scout with a reverse shackle set up and did almost go ass over tea kettle with it. And by the way this should fire up the great debate so that said go with four link and solve the whole issue.

[Blind Driver]

Originally Posted by surveyor cruiser

enjoy your body rotted scout in chicago and wheelin in corn and soy

Originally Posted by surveyor cruiser

Enjoy wheelin in corn and soy field with you rusted out scout

Say what?

[Mechanos]

Originally Posted by JetFxr

I have had a ton of experience with lift springs, that said Skyjacker soft rides with elderbrock or blistine shocks are the way to go. The other springs like rough country, or other off shore springs ride like shit. This forum is not ideal for this type of build but that said you will still want to look at cut and turn for caster as the stock axle will suck even more with lift. If your going to look at shackle reverse you should not balk at a cut and turn. Sky jacker has good ride quality and the lift has held up well for me in the past, I would also look at a sway bar from IHOnlyNorth, I have one on a SOA DD that really helps the handling on this truck. One thing you should look into with the shackle reverse is what could happen with hard braking or when the shackles unload in a down hill situation. I don't think the backyard engineers look at these situations as much as needed. IMO option when the shackles both unload in the same direction it could be dangerous or at least eye opening I think that Jeep or IH would have done it if theres truly a benefit that out weighted the short falls. But this is only one mans option, and I have owned a Scout with a reverse shackle set up and did almost go ass over tea kettle with it. And by the way this should fire up the great debate so that said go with four link and solve the whole issue.

Interesting.... my Biblejackers lasted for exactly 3 days of wheeling before they were worn out and sagging.

[uglyscout]

Originally Posted by Mechanos

Interesting.... my Biblejackers lasted for exactly 3 days of wheeling before they were worn out and sagging.

I still remember opening up my springs 10 years ago and there leaflet falling out... Biblejackers, too funny!!!!!

But I had the opposite. My 4" Skyjackers last a long time a rode pretty smooth, compared to other brands I have seen.

[surveyor cruiser]

So with all that said what is the best choice for a SUA app where a max of 4 inches of lift is sought?

[Scout Broker]

Originally Posted by surveyor cruiser

So with all that said what is the best choice for a SUA app where a max of 4 inches of lift is sought?

Best thing for you to do is buy a set and form your own opinion. Or did you want us to come and build that thing for you too?
Run along little catalog boy.

[ChiScouter]

You guys see this, when you keep feeding the trolls they keep coming back for more

[larboc@hotmail.com]

Id do a dual shackle setup irregardless of what spring you use. Great ride but wont dive when braking.
Its basically a shackle reversal but keeps the front shackles too.

[JetFxr]

I fuckin spoon feed you the answer, NOW RUN ALONG BEFORE YOU GET HURT

[surveyor cruiser]

Hey all, just crossed from land cruisers into the Scout 2 world.

Apparently several douchebags missed the oppening statement. I am well aware reading is hard for some. The post did not say hey jerks I am looking for a hand outs, it was an inquisition looking for feedback on folks experiences. For those who are headier than me F*ck off. Thanks to those who help.

[WYJAX]

Originally Posted by surveyor cruiser

Apparently several douchebags missed the oppening statement. I am well aware reading is hard for some. The post did not say hey jerks I am looking for a hand outs, it was an inquisition looking for feedback on folks experiences. For those who are headier than me F*ck off. Thanks to those who help.

It always amazes me how people ask noob questions then get pissed off when they get flamed. Especially when someone was kind enough to answer the retarded question in the first place. Here's another option, stay with stock leaves, and put a 4" body lift on it.....that'd be sweet.

[JetFxr]

You were warned, So why would your dumb ass come to the internets most hard core off road website looking for high school tech? Bottom line you ask I answered, you are too stupid to take real world advice and say thank you. You are apparently to lazy or inept to do the lift correctly. Scouts have 0 degree caster and will not be good DD with out extensive front axle work.I promise you will get no more advice here without a change of attitude and some long apologies. Now I have wasted enough time on your dump and stubborn ass.

[tsm1mt]

I've been running 4" Skyjackers SUA since 1997.





It was my daily driver for years, my tow rig for a while after that, and has always been my wheeler.

The rear was swapped out for SOA because it just didn't yield enough lift. It sits pretty level now with SOA rear, 4" SUA Skyjackers up front.

Rides nice? Dunno. Rides like crap compared to my Buick.

The shot body mounts and dented shocks probably don't help, either.

I have the 4" Triangles on my current DD Scout. My wife thinks the Skyjackers ride better, but doors that close, less rattles, air conditioning, and all of that seems to win her over for best overall experience on a 1000 mile drive vs. the square-tired SJ equipped Scout. Especially now that it only has 2nd gear and needs the T19 R&R'd.

BTW, 33s rubbed on both Scouts - the 4" SJ and the 4" Triangles. Lowering the bump stops helped, and so did cutting out 3" of fender.

[larboc@hotmail.com]

Originally Posted by JetFxr

You were warned, So why would your dumb ass come to the internets most hard core off road website looking for high school tech? Bottom line you ask I answered, you are too stupid to take real world advice and say thank you. You are apparently to lazy or inept to do the lift correctly. Scouts have 0 degree caster and will not be good DD with out extensive front axle work.I promise you will get no more advice here without a change of attitude and some long apologies. Now I have wasted enough time on your dump and stubborn ass.

ummm, sure about that?

i believe his 1980 should, like mine, have 2-3ish degrees stock.

[scoutin1]

I have run Rough Country 4 inch springs with 32" tires with no problems for years. Not as radical as some but they do the job. You will probably get 5 or 6 years out of the springs with moderate wheeling. The rears have gone before the fronts for me. To the best of my knowledge they are made in Canada. I can't comment on the ride vs Skyjacker or others but it is decent.

I previously swapped in a 1980 axle with the different caster and it drove much better afterward. I didn't make any other changes to the setup other than an axle swap. The only issue of any concern is that with 32" tires the rear tires will rub the inside of the front of the wheel well when you are crossed up. A 2" body lift would fix it but the noise it makes doesn't bother me and given the amount of work it takes (Change the radiator shroud and hoses, brake lines, steeering shaft and misc.) to put in the 2" body lift I didn't bother. I did put polyurethane body mount bushings in to replace the stock ones which helped with the rubbing a lot.

I am picking up a 73 Scout tomorrrow which has a rebuilt pre '80 44 in the front with brand new Rough Country springs all around and the Back Country Binders Hidden U-bolt spring plates installed along with a BCB 6 degree caster shim. It is a project the guy got tired of working on and I got it a good price. The hidden U-bolt spring plates will make a big difference for clearance and they are built very well.

PM me surveyor cruiser and I will let you know how it rides once I am done with it in a month or two.

[fullthrottle(tm sct)]

Yup 80 scout2's had sqaure lights d300s(most im guessing) and 3degrees caster, but thats not hardcore. Thats binderplanet info! lol

Still don't see any freaking pics! Your not building shit till we get pics!

[Urban Wheeler]

Originally Posted by surveyor cruiser

I have read the FAQ and check out binder planet and binder bulletin and IH North. Everything I have seen covers spring swaps in a spring over situation. I am going to stay spring under and seek a 2-3 inch lift

Apparently Pirate is the only place capable of answering this hard core question.



Springs are pretty much going to ride the same regardless of soa or sua. Pick some and see how you like them.

[surveyor cruiser]

An apology, this site has always treated me well. I guess the IH crowd can have more attitude than others. No harm no foul.

Went for Skyjacker 4 inchers, just got them installed today. 1980 front end is a good thing ended up with 3 degrees of positive caster. No shims needed front or rear. Have not driven it yet as I am waiting on shocks and brake lines.

Thanks for the info. Will post pics soon.