Which Scout should I build?

"PilotMan" (Pilotman) 12/10/2014 at 16:23 • Filed to: None

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I posted a few weeks ago about a number of International Harvesters that were being saved from the crusher if I could get them sold. I pulled out five Scouts, I pair of Travelalls and a short bed 4x4 pickup. I have them up on eBay hiding under one listing:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The Travelalls are like Suburbans with style but I'm afraid that no one wants them. There are three Scout 80s, one rare Sport Top and a very early Scout, but I'm afraid that no one will want them. There is 3 rd very clean USAF 80 that the owner wants to keep or sell for $1,500. The half-ton pickup is a wonderful piece of IHC history with wide Dana 60s, 4 speed manual, and a big recently rebuilt V8(345 or 392); sadly the body is too far gone. That leaves two Scouts left for me to choose from.

1969 Scout 800

The first is a good looking Scout 800, a 1969 with a 304 V8 and a 3 speed. The exterior body panels are good buy the tube needs some new sheet metal, possibly all new floor boards. The engine hasn't turned in 15 years, it's missing it's radiator, essentially the whole thing needs to be dissembled, rebuilt, painted and rewired. There is no power steering, power brakes, and the suspension consists of Dana 40s. All rubber parts are long gone.

The second Scout is a II, it has a working drive-train other than someone stealing the shifter cable, a still available part. Three of the fenders are rotted and an end cap is mashed. The interior is complete and would look good painted black and reassembled. The Scout II is a much more modern vehicle with power everything, A/C, and wiring that you can work with or at least replicate. The glass is good other than the windshield.

I am a decent mechanic but I have not learned how to do bodywork, I have some friends that would be happy to charge me though. Luckily Scout II fenders can be bought both used and new, and bolted back on. This vehicle will be my 13-year-old's daily driver until he goes off to school, I plan on involving him as much as possible over the next couple years.

Which one should I build? I'm leaning towards building a kick ass Scout II.

or maybe a sweet Scout 800

pyramidofgreatness > PilotMan 12/10/2014 at 16:24

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HARVESTER

thedevilinside > PilotMan 12/10/2014 at 16:28

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They both look awesome. I would do whichever parts are more available for/whichever would be easier to build or maintain since they both look fun.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > PilotMan 12/10/2014 at 16:33

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A stupid question - has anybody ever tried shortening up a Travelall into a two-door and making a BigScout out of it? I suspect that would kick ass.

PilotMan > thedevilinside 12/10/2014 at 16:36

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From a money stand point, the Scout II would be cheaper to get running. The Scout 800 is more of a collector car but the Scout II is a better daily driver. The Scout 800 is a simpler beast requiring a simple wiring harness, and is smaller for a more efficient drive train. The II would be safer.

But again one might be worth triple of the other 10 years down the road due to collect-ability.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > PilotMan 12/10/2014 at 16:36

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travelall

PilotMan > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 12/10/2014 at 16:37

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No, but Travelettes are rad:

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > PilotMan 12/10/2014 at 16:38

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Can't really go wrong, BUT. I would pick the 800 because you said it needs the engine re-done.

That means you can do the wrenching on that part yourself with your son. The II while awesome, sounds like it mainly needs body work and very minor mechanical adjustments.

If you can't do bodywork and you can do mechanical work. I'd go for the one you can do more with your son with.

thedevilinside > PilotMan 12/10/2014 at 16:39

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Quite the dilemma. Only solution is both.

Is it cost effective to flip one? I'm guessing not

boobytrapsandtreasure > PilotMan 12/10/2014 at 16:44

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I vote for the 800. I never see those around here.

PilotMan > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 12/10/2014 at 16:46

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It might just be decided by which one is sold first, if neither sell I'll probably keep one for my next son, two years behind the other. It's going to be really hard to watch any of these get crushed.

ly2v8-Brian > PilotMan 12/10/2014 at 16:47

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the first one

Andrew P. Collins > PilotMan 12/12/2014 at 17:18

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I love them all, the original 80's are my favorite but I hope to build one of those and a II eventually.

The 80's going to be more of a toy, the II... you might sort of be able to take a little further.

So... can I buy the ones you don't build? I want that "very clean 80" you mentioned! Will pick up for an epic story:)

(andrew[at]jalopnik[dot]com, by the way.)

PilotMan > Andrew P. Collins 12/12/2014 at 17:43

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Pick up this one, an Air Force 800, nice and complete with a big 198 four cylinder.

I've got the 800 and II in the garage, deciding what to do with them.