Lift kit report

["Joe Costanzo" <joe_costanzo@domain.elided>]

     Hello all,
     
     I finally completed the lift for my '79 Scout last night, including 
     the brake lines.  A few things I'd like to throw out for anyone who's 
     interested or doing something similar.
     
     I installed a 4 inch Skyjacker kit.  Installation of the springs was a 
     breeze (although the rear U-bolt nuts were a *real* pain).  The first 
     concern I had, however, was at the front shackles (still in the 
     original location).  When I started to lower the front end of the 
     truck back to the ground, the shackle, rather than rocking forward, 
     wanted to fold up against the front of the frame (fold toward the rear 
     of the truck).  I managed to prevent this by using a floorjack on the 
     rear of the front differential housing to push the spring down & 
     forward.  Everything is fine so far, and that was the only shackle 
     that gave me any problems at all.
     
     The other headache was the brakes.  (By the way, thanks to all who 
     responded to my question about removing/disassembling that brake line 
     block by the front driver's side wheel.)  Getting the hoses was a 
     chore because nobody here in the Allentown, PA (yes, Pennsylvania does 
     have a *few* Scouts around!) could come up with anything close to a 
     match.  (I get laughed at when I go to the local NAPA and ask if they 
     have ___ for "International" vehicles.)  Once I did get the hoses, 
     installation was tough because of the condition of the fittings left 
     in the truck.  (As usual, Vise-Grips worked well.)  This block I 
     mentioned above was a real tough job to take the old hose off - I 
     actually broke my workbench doing so!  (Vise clamped to workbench, 
     fitting block in vise, vise-grip on block, and foot up on workbench 
     for more leverage...  You get the picture.)  Still, all is well, the 
     brakes have been bled, and my Scout is finally back on the road.  Now 
     only if we could get some snow around here.
     
     Joe C.
     Eastern PA