PREP An almost ideal BOV on CL in SF

[buttie]

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/3238400348.html

The price looks reasonable for what's there, I have no connection except that I love Scout II's

 

[NoName]

Good lookin truck, I took a Scout to Australia (RHD postal vehicle), two years of tooling around the outback and sold it to another GI when I left, thing would not die!

 

[mudwrench]

the scoutII is a tough budder but the original one was less than desireable..... when they came out the dealers endes up buying the spider spider gears for the 4 wheel drive in barrels the originals would break. some guys would buy them by the dozen then some engineer figured out how to heat treat them correctly problem solved. international had this problem on at least 2 tractors also

 

[TCPatriot]

Nice looking old Scout.

Had a friend who had one. Abused it for years.

 

[Be Well]

I don't like the soft sides. No protection against knives or similar implements.

 

[TerryK]

I don't like the soft sides. No protection against knives or similar implements.

Agree with you but thats the only way to lesson the center of gravity to make the vehicle more stable and also lesson wind resistance.

 

[Be Well]

I"ve read accounts of people camping out and people stabbing into their tents. I wouldn't be able to sleep in that thing.

 

[NoName]

I"ve read accounts of people camping out and people stabbing into their tents. I wouldn't be able to sleep in that thing.

If they'll stab you, they'll just as easily shoot you.

 

[FarmerJohn]

I drove IH Scouts for years as my first & second vehicles. The only thing about it that really bothered me was the way that the straight steering column was like a spear pointed at your chest. Hit something hard (or get hit) and you're dead. These days, that design is ancient history.

Other than that, a fine vehicle when you respect it's limitations.

 

[Satanta]

I love one but if I somehow got THAT one that stupid-looking camper/box/heavy wind catcher would be torn off ten minutes after he purchase.

 

[tanstaafl]

I love one but if I somehow got THAT one that stupid-looking camper/box/heavy wind catcher would be torn off ten minutes after he purchase.

It's a hi-lo camper and the picture is of it all the way in the open position. It cranks down so that the front face of it is very small (less than a foot, I think).

I didn't see anything at the Craigslist link that says how much weight it can pull in a trailer. Anyone have any idea?

 

[NBCsurvivor]

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/3238400348.html

The price looks reasonable for what's there, I have no connection except that I love Scout II's

Buddy of mine had a Scout. Things are freaking built like they are German. Only thing I didn't like was that it had a rough rough ride. Other than that, pretty much unstoppable 4x4.

 

[The Mountain]

Yes, it's a very tough truck (IH engines, although gas not diesel, are known for going more than 200,000 miles before rebuild). Yes, it's small and has a neat built-in camper. Yes, Scouts are pretty neat machines.

However, when was the last time you saw an IH car dealer (not farm equipment)? Where will you get parts for it if something breaks? This thing is a toy; something to keep under a tarp in the garage and pull out on nice weekends to see if you can make it up the Rubicon or something. This is not a machine you should rely on when civilization is collapsing around you. FFS, that's a 40-YEAR-OLD truck! It's also a magnet for anyone else who sees it, since they'll think the same thing you will: "hey, that would be a really neat getaway vehicle, if I can only get it away from the current owner".

I'll say it again: IT'S 40 YEARS OLD!

Buy something newer, or, at least get something that you can find parts for more easily. The older K5 Blazers have a much larger parts supply out there. You can get a mid-80s ex-military pickup truck for cheap and stick a Lancer camper in the bed. Heck, you can get a newer 4x4 1-ton pickup from the local utility yard and stick a Lancer in it.

 

[buttie]

Actually there are lots of places to buy parts. I could build you a new one in fiberglass or steel your choice. The original factory dies were purchased by the Light Line group and have almost all parts needed. The only precious part on a Scout is the oil pump because it is different than the one used in the heavy trucks. The engine was manufactured until 1984 for use in the 2.5 ton trucks. To fix the ride many people are doing a "reverse shackle" conversion that smooths out the ride a lot. An important feature to a BOV is how EMP proof it is. This truck will have a points ignition that is easily converted to electronic and then back again to points if needed. The steering column is collapsible so That's not really an issue. The electrical system is Delco same as a chevy infact the steering column used in the Scout II is from a Vega so parts are commonly available if you know what to ask for. The carb is a Holley and the axles are Dana 44's in back and 30 in front, the fronts changed to 44's in '75. The Scout II is factory rated to tow 5000# with the major limitation being the brakes. I tow a 6000# RV with mine using a load leveler hitch and dual electric brakes on the RV. Towed it to the Grand Canyon and Death Valley 2 years ago. It did the pull up out of DV no problem. For parts has a great on line catalog and LOTS of aftermarket parts some manufactured by them.