This post is for the fans of the International Harvester trucks and Scouts who really wish they could use their IH as a daily driver! IH vehicles have a unique and iconic look to them that we as fans idolize. The problem is that coming up from the 1960’s to the 1970’s added power steering but didn’t improve the relationship the steering has to the axle.

I’m talking about Caster

IH reasoned that by adding power steering, 0 degrees of caster would be fine because the power steering would be doing all the work and not the driver. Fine. Still could handle better, but when owners were lifting and putting additional spring lift, they created positive caster. Not good if you want your IH to feel like a vehicle that is coming off the assemble line today.

Fixing Positive Caster and Loving Your IH

D and C has been taking calls on this exact situation for years! I’m going to explain what we do here, but if you feel it’s over your head or you just don’t have the time for it, you can ship your axle to D and C Extreme for approx. $110 each way add another $400 for the work. Sounds like a heck of a deal to fall in love with your IH again!

Here we go:

First, we will install our Shackle Reverse Kit. When others perform this customization they don’t do the second part which is the “Cut-and-Turn”. If you don’t do the cut and turn, you are still adding to positive caster. In addition, while you are doing the turn, you will want to set the axle back 1/2″ to adjust for the turn.  Finally, we add the spring pads.

The result is the feeling of “who stole my Scout!”, “it has never driven like this before!”