Re: Steering column in body lift

[Kevin Curry <kevin@domain.elided>]

"Joseph Michael Shaw, II" wrote:

> Okay, while I have some of you knowledgeable people responding on this
> thought pattern:
> If I put in new body mounts (2" body lift thickness), in a '70 Scout
> 800, will I have to cut out the hole for the steering column?

I don't know about a Scout 800 but I just installed a 2" body lift on my
Scout II and, YES, I did have to cut a notch below the steering column.

>  I am not
> aware of whether this is simply a round hole only big enough for the
> column, or if it has enough space to accomodate such a lift as this.
> If I do need to cut it out, what is commonly used for this operation?

I used a Dewalt 18v. Sawmill - 1/8" thickness (two 1/16" walls make the
firewall) was cut like butter.

>
> How thick is the metal here?  Do you take a hack saw to it?  A torch?
> Some type of "super-snips"?  A Ginsu?  Does any alteration need to be
> made to the steering column?

No - just needs to be dropped.

I did have the fab a bracket using a piece of angle-iron and a u-bolt from a
muffler bracket. I had to knock off the tacked on nuts using an impact gun.
I used the 2 top holes to mount the fab'd bracket.

>  If I decide to put the PS equip from my
> Scout II into this 800 model, when is a good time to do this?

Would make no difference IMHO

>  I would
> imagine I should do it at the same time as the lifts, so that I can make
> sure that I cut the hole out to accomodate the new shaft-if there is any
> difference.  If I do this swap, do I need to change the column as well,
> or just the bottom half/portion?  Anyone done this recently and can tell
> me about it?  Is there a convenient place to mount the PS box, or do I
> need to fab something?

My P/S gearbox has about a 1/8-1/2" thick plate welded to the frame to
reinforce the mount - I would suggest doing the same. There's a lot of flex
there from what I understand.
(Idea behind Strate-steer??)

>
> Also, If I go with about 4" of suspension lift,

Won't matter - you're lifting the suspension not the body.

> does that warrant a new
> driveshaft?  I am assuming it will.  Does anyone make these, or do I
> just find a local manufacturer of some sort to fab one?  Who do you call
> for this kind of work?
> What about caster?  I hear this mentioned on the Scout II's all of the
> time, but few people talk much about the 800's.  Anyone that has
> completed this procedure, please let me know any info and the names of
> suppliers you used.
> And Matt Sopher, you don't have to feel required to answer this one, as
> you have been answering all day!
>
> Thanks, Guys!  Sorry for all of the posts, but it's the long weekend,
> and school has been so intense I haven't had much chance to ask anything
> in a week or two.
>
> Michael

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