New to 4x4s, recently purchased vehicle

Ungoliant

New Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
Location
Fayetteville, NC
So I picked up a 1976 (judging by the grill) IH Scout II as a project, and I have a few questions:



1. What issues are common for scouts, other than rust from what I hear?

2. What vehicles have interchangeable parts for scouts?

3. What kind of engine modifications, other than maybe a snorkel, are recommended for mudding?

4. What is a good 4-speed (auto) transmission that is compatible with the 345 v8?

I also should add that I haven't had a chance to find all of the issues with the specific vehicle I purchased, I'm waiting for the guy to get it towed to me (it runs, he just offered to do it so I wouldn't have to drive it from where he is), but so far it looks like a pretty solid truck. I'm going to make a list for parts I need to replace once I get my hands on it, because I want to restore it a little first.
 
Welcome aboard Ungoliant, I think the first thing to decide is where this project is going. I read that you want to restore it a little first which is great for a daily driver but if your going to make it a DD/weekend wheeler ask the question (what will I break first?). I have a jeep and I started the same way you have and in 5 years I've changed my direction atleast 3 times. From all stock to jacked up and considering 1 ton axle upgrades. I guess my answer to the question you didn't ask would be figure out what you want this scout to do and then work towards that. This place is full of the info you will need once you figure that out. Good luck with your scout and post some pics.
 
Ungoliant said:
So I picked up a 1976 (judging by the grill) IH Scout II as a project, and I have a few questions:



1. What issues are common for scouts, other than rust from what I hear?
Click to expand...

The one I'm most familiar with is the scout lean, the narrow leaf springs and big motors eventually lead to torque fatigue and the scout will get a gangster lean.

Don't know scouts too well though, so I'm sure others will have tips that are actually useful.
 
mmcj7 said:
Welcome aboard Ungoliant, I think the first thing to decide is where this project is going. I read that you want to restore it a little first which is great for a daily driver but if your going to make it a DD/weekend wheeler ask the question (what will I break first?). I have a jeep and I started the same way you have and in 5 years I've changed my direction atleast 3 times. From all stock to jacked up and considering 1 ton axle upgrades. I guess my answer to the question you didn't ask would be figure out what you want this scout to do and then work towards that. This place is full of the info you will need once you figure that out. Good luck with your scout and post some pics.
Click to expand...
good advice that WILL save you money.figure out what you want,not what you say is good enough,because what ever you settle for ( usally due to cost) you will end up unhappy with and redoing later on.
 
Ungoliant said:
1. What issues are common for scouts, other than rust from what I hear?
2. What vehicles have interchangeable parts for scouts?
3. What kind of engine modifications, other than maybe a snorkel, are recommended for mudding?
4. What is a good 4-speed (auto) transmission that is compatible with the 345 v8?
Click to expand...
1. Safety-wise, there isn't anything special you need to do for a scout that you wouldn't do for any other 30+ yr old vehicle (steering, brakes, wheel bearings, fuel leaks, etc). The charging circuit can easily be overloaded (i.e. fire-hazard) if you're installing a significant auxilliary load (check the largest blue wire going through the bulkhead connector).
2. Too many to easily list for you. A few examples: trans is virtually same as same vintage mopar (Torqueflight 727), steering column is same as chevy, rotors can be replaced with CJ, gas cap can be replaced with late 80s accord ... any parts you're interested in?
3. You may want to consider some additional waterproofing if you going for serious mud (dizzy cap, ign mod, etc)
4. None that directly bolt on. The only factory light-line autos behind a 345 are the Borg Warner 11 and TF727, both are 3 spds (non-OD). You can buy an expensive adapter to bolt up any GM smallblock pattern trans from www.ihonlynorth.com.


go here for more help www.binderplanet.com.
-Jeff
 
Check the past and up coming events section. There is some kind of open trail ride going on all the time some where. I haven't seen alot of mud listings but have seen mud at all the rides I've went to.
 
My scout had the 345 with 727 torqueflight 3-sp.Ther is one for 200.00 on craigslist under - jeep 727.
 
Well I want to get a 4-speed tranny for it so I can do a bit better with gas, really. I also will be using it as somewhat of a daily driver, so I'm probably not going to build it up real crazy, I just want it to also be able to handle a good bog or so.

It's already got a 4'' lift with 31'' swampers on it, but other than that I didn't see too much aftermarket on it. I'm waiting for the guy to tow it down to me. It's running, he's just being a nice guy and saving me from a drive. Once I get it in I'll definitely throw some pictures on here, but from what I saw it's in pretty good shape, just gonna need a bit of work.
 
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