Axle Swapper Info by Wheeled Scout

This is a compilation of excellent information in regards to axles from the following post, and the author was Wheeled Scout.

OK guys I did a brain dump on the information I've gathered about various axle swaps for Scout II's. Don't hold back, even if you call BS on some of the information. Hopefully this can become a living document on axle swaps for Scout's.

Joe

Now for the disclaimer

Disclaimer:
This information is a gathering of information and an attempted brain dump. The information may contain mistruth, lies, or incorrect information. I will not be held responsible in any way shape or form from injury, accident, or death as a result of the use of this information. It is your responsibility to use this information in a safe manner.

I will attempt to update the information as new, better or correct information is gathered. Please post suggestions, corrections, or whatever; or email them to jduarte@thisdysfunctional.org

Remember, I am a web wheeler and this information should be treated as such.

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Front Axle:

Scout II front axles
71-73 Front Dana 30 Drum brakes, 0º caster
Early 74 Dana 44 w/Disk Brakes, 0º Caster
Later 74 Dana 30 w/Disk Brakes, 0º Caster
75-79 Front Dana 44 w/Disk Brakes, 0º Caster
80 Front Dana 44 w/ Disk Brakes, 2-3º Caster

Wheel mount surface (WMS) to WMS = 60.25”
Common gear ratio are 3.54 and 3.73, later years 3.07, carrier split is 3.73 for high, 3.92 for low

The Scout II 44 uses a Dana 30 outer axle stub, same as Jeep Wagoneer 5 lug Dana 44’s and 30 spline inner axles.

The Scout II 44 housing measures about 50.25 from center of top ball joint hole to center of top ball joint hole. The outer assemblies (knuckle, spindle, hub, and rotor) measure about 5” each side

Spring pads measure 32.25” between spring pins

Swap options

Stock Scout II width
To retain Scout II width, look for Jeep Grand Wagoneer axles, the benefits include existing caster, but the axle is still SUA (Spring Under), or cut and turn the stock Scout II axle. Cut down Chevy, Ford, or Dodge housing to stock width with Scout II outer assembly. (With 15x8” wheels, 4” back spacing and 12.5” tires your outside width will be 76”)



64” width
Use a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge 44 housing and Scout II outers (spindle, hub, rotor). The Chevy housings use the same spring pad distance, depending on lift rotating the housing may not be necessary. (With 15x8” wheels, 4” back spacing and 12.5” tires your outside width will be 80”)

67-69” ‘Full Width’ swap
Use a Chevy Ford or Dodge housing with associated outer assemblies. Ford and Chevy outer assemblies are about 1-1.5” wider per side then Scout II parts. Ford uses the Scout II 5x5.5” wheel pattern. Dodge uses a 6-lug pattern, with full-time front axle; conversion kits are available but expensive. Dodge axles, also use a 33.25” spring pad distance that will require moving the spring mounts out ½” per side. It is possible to use Chevy knuckle, stub axle, spindle, Ford hub and rotor to swap to an internal spline hub with 5x5.5” wheel pattern. Chevy front axles measure in at 69", Ford at 67". There may also be different axle widths depending on outer hardware used, 8 lug verse 6 and 5 lug.



Dana 44 Knuckles
For the most part all Dana 44 knuckles are interchangeable, however the spindle nut pattern is different. IH uses an 8-bolt spindle, Chevy uses 6 bolts, and Ford uses 5 bolts. Scout II knuckles are not flattop style and cannot be used for Crossover or hi-steer applications without welding or other methods. IH trucks use flattop style knuckles with the 8-bolt spindle pattern and are an easy swap with Scout II outer assemblies. The narrower Scout II outer assemblies can cause problems with arm/TRE clearance, so look for hi-steer arms with a turn in to better clear the tires, wider Chevy/Ford outer assemblies do not have this problem. Chevy knuckles are the second best option requiring redrilling of the spindle nut pattern to use the Scout II outer assemblies. Dodge and Ford both offered flat top knuckles, some good some bad. Some Dodge knuckles work as well as Chevy knuckles, others have the stud boss location incorrect for the three studs needed to attach the arm. If you are using a Dodge or Ford knuckle compare it to a Chevy prior to using. You must have the passenger side milled flat and tapped for the studs. New studs and cone washers are available from GM and other sources. Do not use bolts or studs without the cone washers. New knuckles are available from Parts Mike.

Dana 44 Hi-steer
Besides the flat top knuckles you need to determine which tie-rod/drag link arrangement you will be using, which hi-steer arms, and which TRE’s or Heims you will be using. Hi-steer arms come in one, two and three hole designs, and are available from many sources. Additionally most hi-steer arms require spacers to allow the links to clear the spring packs. Some hi-steer arms have angle correction, angle correction is a milled surface at the TRE/heim connection point that allows the joint to rest at 0 angle, due to the angle of the mounting surface (hard to explain without looking at a picture). There are three common tie-rod/drag link configurations, two separate links requiring a two-hole arm on the passenger side. Inverter Y, where the drag link connects to the passenger side and the tie-rod connects to the drag link and drivers side (Common on Fords, Jeeps). Inverted T, where the Tie-rod connects to both the passenger and driver’s side, and the drag link connects to the Tie-rod near the passenger side. Both the Y and T design only require single hole arms. There are two common tapers for Tie Rod Ends (TRE's) small and large taper (need the taper specs), Scout II’s use the small taper TRE’s.

Pitman Arms
The Scout II arm is exceptionally long and will most likely cause clearance issues with a hi-steer setup. There are many good options available as a replacement, most popular are Jeep Grand Wagoneer pitman arms which use the large TRE taper.

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Rear Axle:

Scout II rear axles
All Scout II axles should be Dana 44’s
There are two sizes of drum brakes available (need more information)
Later Dana 44’s did not use an inner axle seal and used gear oil for lubricating the axle bearings

Wheel mount surface (WMS) to WMS = 58.5”, semi-floater
Common gear ratio are 3.54 and 3.73, later years 3.07, carrier split is 3.73 for high, 3.92 for low
Seems the majority of rear axles came with a Trac-Loc limited slip differential

Stock Width Swap
Besides Scout II, some Jeep Grand Wagoneer’s use a center diff Dana 44; many GW’s use an offset 44. There may also been some Wide Trac AMC model 20 axles that will work.

63.5” width
Travelall rear 44 and 60-2 axles. Both axles are 63.5” WMS to WMS. The 60-2 axle uses a Dana 60 center section with 30 spline Dana 44 axles and outers. The 60-2 axle has the advantage of the larger 60 ring and pinion but still uses Dana 44 size axles and is semi-floater design. For serious use custom 35 spline axles can be had.
Corp 14 bolt, dually versions of the 14-bolt axle measure out at 63.5”. The 14 bolt is one of the strongest axles available, but has a large center section (read ground clearance issues) and requires the use of eight lug wheels. 5x5.5 pattern wheels can be used with significant maching and customization.

67-69” ‘full’ width
Many full size trucks use Dana 60 and 14 bolt axles measuring at 67-69”. Semi float rear axles tend to measure 66-67", and rear full-floater axles measure in at 69" Dana 60 axles came with 19, 30 and 35 spline. Full floater 60’s and 14 bolt will all be 8 lug. To swap to the larger 1.5” axles you’ll need to swap to 14 bolt or Dana 70 outers, or bore out the spindles. Ford Sterling axles are also a good choice if they can be found (need more info). The Ford 9” is also another possibility, many after market parts, including 40 spline axles, the Ford 9” uses a drop out center section. The drop center section allows for the purchase of pre-built easily swappable center sections with the gears and locker of your choice. The Ford 9” suffers from a low pinion, hi-pinion center sections are also available. Look for 9” rears in 79 and up Broncos, as they are the big bearing design. For the most part 9” rears from cars are not a good choice as they use the small bearing design; some larger luxury cars use the large bearing design.

Rear disk brakes
Many options are available for rear disks. The TSM kit uses El Derado calipers, redrilled GM truck front rotors. Another option is to use a Ford truck front rotor, GM ½ ton truck caliper, and a bracket from AA Manufacturing.

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Links:
Axle Info: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bible/index.html#GMRE
Steering Info: BROKEN LINK
AA Manufacturing: http://www.aa-mfg.com/
Dutchman Axles: http://www.dutchmanaxles.com/
Moser Axles: http://www.moserengineering.com/
Parts Mike: http://www.partsmikeparts.com/
Chevy Knuckles: http://www.binderplanet.com/forums/s...&threadid=1447
Hi-steer pics: http://www.binderplanet.com/forums/s...&threadid=1654

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• 2How to identify a Dana / Spicer axle.
• 3Automatic Overdrive Transmission For IH V8s
• 4CV Style Front Driveshaft For Scout 80/800
• 5Power Lock Clutch Replacement
• 6How To Replace A Pinion Seal
• 7Locking your Dana 44 Trac Loc, Part 1
• 8Locking your Dana 44 Trac Loc, Part 2
• 9Auto Shifter Boot Replacement
• 10Axle Swapper Info by Wheeled Scout