Suspension Caster ???

Hey, I'm Swapping axles on an old Willys Station Wagon. Axles are Dana 44's from a Scout. They were made with 0 degrees caster (Front, of course.) What are the driveability issues associated with zero degrees of caster?

The customer thinks that if it's good enough for a Scout, it will be good enough for this, but every article I've read wants a minimum of 3 degrees.

We're just trying to get an idea of what to expect, if anything, or at least some of the theory.

Car's use will be just cruising around.

Thanks

How are the axles fixed to the chassis? Could you build in some way to adjust the caster? Like say pinion alignment shims for a leaf sprung solid axle?

a lack of caster would generally cause the wheel to not self center after a turn and reduce straight-line stability.

Since this is for cruising around, it may not be a big deal, but adding 3-5 degrees of caster isn't exactly rocket science and would likely make the vehicle a little nicer to cruise around in. A little camber wouldn't hurt either, but that is a bit more involved.

Good luck! Stefan

Tell the customer that scouts drive like E36 M3. The easy way to get what he needs is to swap in a D44 from a Wagoneer. Better geometry stock, and still dirt cheap.

You can add caster in with shims, but to the detriment of pinion angle. You can also cut the outers, set pinion angle, set caster angle, and then reweld the outers.

With out caster the wheel will not return to center after a corner and it will tend to wonder all over the road.

Bronco unit mite be a better fit. You get caster poly bushings for them. Sandwich between the diamond on the housing and the radius arms

44

Less caster means easier to turn when off-roading (without power steering, or course).

As said above, more caster is better for stabilty and cruising.

A compromise might be 2 or 3 degrees of caster.

Which is more important to the owner?

Thanks for the replies.

The owner is set on using the axles he has. Overall, it will be an improvement from stock, as the new axles have disc brakes and the whole works will have power steering.

Not sure if there is any caster on the stock axle, FWIW.

I will pass on the possible issues. He is willing to make changes in the future, but wants to get it on the road.

We are going to try to get a degree or two with shims depending on how the pinion angle looks.

Working on the rear axle now. Left side has Left handed lug nuts. I've heard about them but have never seen them until now.

-James

3 degrees sounds like a good amount...0 degrees sounds scary.

I could put you in contact with a Willy's Jeep owner if you're interested...

I thought pretty much everyone swapped XJ Cherokee fronts and Exploder rears into those. Heck, most Scouts get swapped that way too.

Both sell at scrap metal prices, matched 4x4.5" bolt pattern, disk brakes all-around, plenty strong for up to 33" tires stock.

xj front is a dana 30, IIRC, and I didn't know they were swapped in to anything, only out of xj's.

There is a bunch of interest in the 8.8 from the Explorer. S-10 guys, jeep guys. It's a good swap.

Thanks for the offer, Gameboy, but this guy is using what he has.

-James