Pro's and con's of a Scout axle swap

Just putting the feelers out on the Scout 44 swap.

Are the Spring pads located in the same place as our Jeep's???

How much wider are the axles???

Are parts easy to get???

Thanks for the help,

High5

 

The spring pads will need to be moved, the Scout front axle has zero caster from the factory so that creates a steering problems. The best way to fix the castor is to cut the knuckles loose and rotate them on the tubes and reweld them. The axles are not to wide but give a nice stance. They are probably about 5" wider than the stock Jeep dana 30 axle. A friend of mine did it on his 77 cj5. We also outboarded the springs and did a shackle reversal while doing it, his jeep drives awesomely now. There is a lot of work involved but it was worth it, Parts seem to be available, after all there just dana 44's the axle shafts themselves I'm not sure about, he hasn't broke one yet.

 

5 inches total, or 5 inches on each side???

Do they have the same 5 on 5.5 bolt spacing???

High5

 

Yep same 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. I think they are in the 60 ish inch range WMS to WMS. They wont stick way out but it they will look larger. We'll Greenie (CJ5buggy) has a scout front end under it...let me see if I can find a good pic showing the width....

 

Heres a pic showing the width pretty well. Not sure what kind of backspacing he's running on his wheels but that will be a huge factor in how wide it looks.

 

The reason I ask these questions is I have a line on a set of Scout axles with 4.88's and a powerloc in the rear. They have been set up for a spring over. They are still on the Scout. Not sure if they have been turned or not, but I would hope so.

High5

 

If its just going to be a trail jeep you should be fine w/o turning the knuckles, but if your going to drive it any kind of speed it will wonder and handle horribly. So if the axles are cheap enough, you might be able to afford add a little bit to get the knuckles turned. ANd more than likely if they are still under the scout they wouldn't have been turned.

 

One more question,

Did all Scouts have the 44's???

High5

 

Some Scouts back in the early '60s had Model 27 rears and 25 fronts, believe it or not! They often had 30 rears and 27 fronts, 44 rears and 27 fronts, 44 rears and 30 fronts, and 44 rear and 44 front. So the answer to the question is no. Most of the later model Scouts had 44s front and rear. Obviously, you have to check. Good luck.

 

Not mine, from Binder Bulletin Forum 2 d44s here

axles and parts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the list and descriptions as best I can. Will sell individually or buy the whole stack. Prices will range from $25.00 to $400.00, plus shipping if not being picked up. Prices negotiable but be reasonable. These are used axles and may need serviceable items such as brakes, u-joints, possible bearings, seals, etc. Also open to trades, but there are specific things I am looking for. So if I do not want your trade, don't be offended. I can take pics but will need an e-mail address to send. I am fortunate enough to be able to ship UPS, and Overnite freight. Will need at least a zip for a shipping estimate. Any special shipping like a drop gate delivery should be stated up front. This is a private sale of extra accumulated stuff.

1 GM 10 bolt frt., complete, 8-lug, 69"wms , 31.75"-32"s.c. , 4.10, open, disc, $250
1 GM 10 bolt frt., complete, your choice 6-lug or 8-lug, 3.73, open, disc / $250
1 GM 10 bolt frt., complete, your choice 6-lug or 8-lug, 4.10, open, disc / $250
1 GM 14 bolt semi-float rear, complete, 8-lug, 4.10, open / $200
1 GM 14 bolt ff rear, complete, 3.73, gov-lock , 67"wms / $150
1 GM D60 ff rear, complete, 4.10, open, late 60's-early 70's before 14bff, 65"wms / $150
1 Ford D60 rear, 4.10, open, complete, 66"wms / $200
1 Ford D70 rear, 4.10, open, complete, 64.5"wms / $300
1 Ford D44 HP 8-lug frt., 4.10, complete, open, 68"wms , 31.75"-32"s.c. / $300ea
1 Ford 9" rear, 3.25, open, 67.5wms, no brakes, 28spline yoke, 28 spline axle / $100
1 IH D60 ff rear, complete, 3.73, 65"wms / $200
1 IH Scout D44 frt., complete, disc, 3.54, open, 59.5"wms / $200
1 IH Scout D44 rear, complete, drum, 3.54, 1trac-loc, 58"wms / $150

PARTS
1 Eaton posi for GM 10bolt, was in a front axle / $300
1 Detroit locker for GM 9.5" c-clip 14 bolt / $400
1 set Yukon axles for GM 9.5" c-clip 14 bolt, new / $230
2 sets D44 3.54 gears, good condition / $25ea.
1 set D44 3.73 gears, good condition / $25
3 D44 open carrier, excelent spiders, 3.73 & num. lower / $25ea.
2 pair GM 6-lug hub, spindle out incl. calipers / $50 pair ea.
1 pair GM 8-lug hub, spindle out incl. calipers / $100
3 pair GM 10 bolt frt. shafts, left, right, inner, outer / $50 ea. set
1 pair Ford flat top knuckles / $50 pair
1 pair Scout II front shafts / $50 pair
1 pair Scout II front hubs, rotors, spindles, cal. mounts / $50 pair
1 set Scout II lock-o-matic lock-outs w/special spindle nuts / $50 set
1 pair Scout II frt. calipers, core value / $10 ea.
HP D44 4.10 r&p on standard carrier with Lock-Rite / $200
D60 4.10 r&p on a spool, 35 spline / $250
mikeh@hoffinesgarage.com / alternate e-mail: ahoffine@insightbb.com / 765-427-3884cell / 765-742-5058wk. / 765-567-4750hm.

 

I hate to say this, but it sounds like more work than I want to do

I think I will just stick with my 44, 30 combo and put an aussie locker in the rear at some point.

Thanks for the replies.

If anyone is interested there is a scout shell and axles on Ebay that has 4.88's and a powerlock in it. Located in Missouri

High5

 

http://www.myjeeprocks.com/feature/scoutdana44.php

I haven't finished my swap yet, but this guy's seemed to work out well.

I had a heck of a time finding shafts for the rear. $480 for custom chrome moly shafts from Dutchman. I think it came from an odd year Scout II. It matches the width of the late 80's Dana 30 CJ front end.

 

Has anyone ever heard of using the Scout II Frame (Shortened) with the Scout II Axles and a CJ3A Tub? Looks like the Scout II Frame is 160" and my CJ3A Frame is 122" or so, but with Scout II Axles you wouldn't have to Outboard the front and weld perches in the rear. I was thinking of just cutting 30" out of the frame rewelding and adding the hangers, motor mounts, body mounts and such...most of which I have to do anyway. CJ3A, SBC327, TH350, D300, Scout II D44's (Arb'ed), SUA YJ 4.5" RE Extreme Duty Lift. Is it blasphemous to use a Scout frame even though Jeepers use Scout axles all the time? I would call it a custom frame....

I have searched and searched is this not possible, with a torch and welder??? Anyone tried/done it?

Pros: Stronger/wider frame.
Cons: Still the same amount of work???

Thanks,

--Scott