Scout to Cj --- not axle

Ok, so here's the rundown.... I recently re-aquired my 73 cj and have been thinking about doing a s.o.a. I know I'll have all the stearing corections to tend to but I'm a cheap a** and I think it will be fine for my wife to pound the pavement in and maybe an occasional fishing trip. Any way I was eye-balling it and remembered that I had some scout 2 front spring laying around, I pulled out the tape and had what looked to be a pretty good fit. I figured the scout spring probably has a higher spring rate which I would think would help in the axle wrap department and the springs have a good arch to them which should help in the lift dept..... So has any one out there tried this? I also have a brand new scout stearing box which would be nice to toss on but I don't think thats going to work........ Any thoughts would be great before I just rip into it and see how she looks I'm worried if I do a soa and the scout spring I'll have some rediculous lift. :?:?:?

 

The steering issues are not just about bump steer. Lots of times the drag link hits the passenger side spring causing steering bind or limiting steering. You'll need to watch that close. If this is primarily a street driver and you don't want to spend the money to do it right don't do an SOA conversion. It's a safety thing and as you said, your wife/family will be driving it.

You're better off stay spring under and buying a decent set of lift springs. You might be able to find some good used lift springs for cheaper than a new set up.

The Scout springs are MUCH stiffer than CJ. My old Scout Terra weighed in at 5,800 lbs. Compare that to a CJ that weighs in the neighborhood of 2,800 to 3,500 lbs (depending on year, equipment, etc.) and you can see what I mean. You could remove some leafs but they most likely will still be stiff and ride horribly.

Just to mention also, yes I've done this. I have a Scout Terra frame under my CJ-6 with a front shackle reversal and leaves removed. It will eventually get custom spring packs.

 

curious... I guess I will have to rethink what I'm doing I figured stiffer spring/ drop pitman arm/ ect ect I would be ok... I do have a set of 4in waggy springs under my scout right now maybe I could use those???? maybe not.... I have seven rigs between me and my wife so its hard to justify putting actual springs under it..... I was just letting my brain wonder hopping to come up with some awsome setup.... FAIL

 

I'm putting new lift springs on my '72 CJ5. That leaves me with the old springs just sitting in the garage.

They are the original springs but with the heavy duty option. That means 10 leaves in the front and 13 in the rear. I'm in Atlanta, Ga., and -- if shiping isn't involved -- would be willing the let them go cheap.

PM me if you're interested.

Of course, if you are just looing for lift, heavy duty springs probably won't help.

 

I can reccomend one thing....

DON'T go spring over if your intention is for the jeep to be primarily a street driver. Its great on the trail, but its an evil monster on the road.

If you think you can save money by going spring over vs buying a lift kit you are dead wrong. That's what I thought too, now after all I've invested in getting the spring over right and getting the steering anywhere near passable, I'm in for well over the cost of a good 2-3" spring lift kit.