IH Scout?

[w748]

Anyone have any opinions / experience with the early 80 series Scouts?
I'm kind of looking around for a bare bones , simple , SHTF type vehicle.
Thanks!

[hatidua]

Anyone have any opinions / experience with the early 80 series Scouts?
I'm kind of looking around for a bare bones , simple , SHTF type vehicle.
Thanks!

I had a '73 and a '78. Both went the length of Baja annually for many years and pulled countless other vehicles out of the ditch and off the beaches down there. Both chewed through alternators almost as fast as they did gasoline.

I came very close to getting a series 80 scout (the older one you are inquiring about) and when I found the outfit that is the go-source for parts for those, they strongly urged me to go a different direction due to parts becoming increasingly scarce. Very neat vehicles though and I far prefer them to the old Bronco's.

[Great-Kazoo]

The one i had was a stump puller, Up side is the same 345 cu. in motor used in their large trucks (tree trimmers etc) Down side is parts availability. They're worth more parting out than the whole unit.

[Wulf202]

They're worth more parting out than the whole unit.

this

[hurley842002]

I've only owned the Scout II, but my dad had an 800, I think it was a 66, it had the 196 I4. It was a gutless wonder, but geared so low it was quite pleasant on the trails, and would pull 55-60 fairly easily on the highway.

The "80's" series was built between 60 and 65, and came standard with the 152. From what I've heard you do NOT want that motor, even more gutless than the 196.

If I had my choice, I'd try to get an 800A or newer 69-71, with a 304 V8. Great motor, and plenty of power/torque for the little 800.

[streetglideok]

IH scouts and trucks were prone to rust, but out here, you see a few good specimens still. The one thing neat about IH, they mix-matched parts a lot. Because of that, you can put about whatever you want in them for a powertrain.

[roberth]

I'd be concerned with parts availability. I may have done some research on these, I'll look for it.

[roberth]

Found this site - http://scoutparts.com/

[gnihcraes]

Great vehicles, if entact, not a rust bucket. (good luck)
Look for a Traveler version, nissan diesel six cylinder engine.

Know a family that had one of these, never let them down.

[spqrzilla]

I had a Scout II from '78 model year I think. Great 4x4 but a rust bucket and increasingly difficult parts nightmare. While I have great fondness for the old Scout, there are better and cheaper alternatives for just about any purpose of trail rig or beater hunting truck. Especially poor choice for SHTF vehicle in my opinion. As an example, the nearest parts junkyard to me has 15 Jeep Cherokees in it and no Scouts.