73 beast

[Scooter]

Well, this is the latest addition to my fleet of Scout II's. It's a 73. Origanally it was a later model year when it rolled off the manufacturing line, but I'm all good with it now for being a 73, since I dont have to deal with the ole smog crapola out here in califunkia. It does have a 345 with the auto 727 in it. It is sprung over, along with a Ford 9 inch in the rear and disk brakes and a Dana 44 front with disks. Although, who ever did the work on the front end for the SOA, did a piss poor job in the welding. The booger welds almost doesn't look safe. I won't know how bad it is until I actually pull it out, for a possible gear change to match the rear. It's also sitting on 35" shoes with a 2" body lift.

Here's a couple pics of before I got it:




I will add more as I go along.
So far, here's a few of the things I've done to it in the last month since I've had it:

the small puny battery was replaced emediately with my odyssy dry cell from my rolled Scout. That was so heavy that I ended up using my over head electric hoist, just to lift it up onto the fender. I be getten to be too much of an ole fart to lifting the bolder of a battery up above my shoulders.

changed engine oil and filter.

A major tune up including plugs, wires and coil. Along with a pertronix install.

Just replaced the alternator last night. The old one was on it's last legs and barely working.

 

[Scooter]

Oooops - I just realized that I pulled a major blonde moment and put this build thread in the wrong section.

if I still drank, I would blame it on being drunk at the time. So, for now, I'm sticking with having a blondie moment

 

[Scooter]

I forgot to mention in my first post, that before I did any of the other maintenance stuff, I had to address the gas tank issue. Issue being that when I topped off for the drive home, on the day of purchase, about a gallon or two poured out the two vent tubes on top of the front part of the tank. They were not plugged off, and one of the vent tubes was so loose that it was about to come out. Plus, the tank was being held in place by only one strap. So I swapped tanks from my barrel rolled 74 Scout that was in good condition. And I had a spare set of stock straps here on the shelf for mounting the tank. Plus, the sending unit in the old tank did not have the sock filter attached to the fuel pick up tube inside the tank. Here's the shot of before the swap:



Another thing I did while I was underneath the beast dealing with the tank, was to replace the transmission mount. I installed the CPT trans mount, which I robbed from my barrel rolled 74 Scout. The old mount was so rotton, that I'm surpised it held up at all. What made it even worse, is that half of the old rubber looks like old tire tread that was cut to fit

 

[Scooter]

Last weekend I worked on turn signal switch in the column. The wiring seemed to be original and getten fairly brittle. And the signal switch was not returning back after completing a turn. So, with parts purchased from ihon, it was all replaced and fixed. Although, while I was taking out all the old guts og signal plastic unit out of the column, these bearings were rolling out of the column onto the floor:



It all works like it's suposed to. And here is after installing the new parts:

 

[Scooter]

Today, since I had a change of plans, and had some spare time, I swapped steering wheels from my barrel rolled 74 Scout. Granted, both wheels are identical, but the old one was coated with bed liner. And I didn't care for it much. Not only that, I wanted to be able to utilize the grant steering wheel locking option I had readily available.



And here's the installed locking unit:



Steering wheel off I can put the cap on in its place to complete the lock. The way I figure it, is that this is like the best deterent in a theft of this rig. If the steering wheel is not there, how is the thief gonna drive off with my rig.
Oh - here's what it looks like when locked cap is on:

 

[Scooter]

Well - one of the maintenance issues that go along with these old rigs that we love so much, is that I finally got around to dealing with the much neglected air cleaner. It was so bad that even the rats would run from it. I wanted to use the one I had from my 74. But it kinda melted when left over fuel from carb and fuel hoses caught fire. In the last couple weeks, I recently had to order a new element for what I wanted to use, but takes awhile to get. In the mean time, while playing the waiting game, I was able to get a new replacement paper element to get rid of the ole crapola. Finally, after using the temporary new paper element for over a week, my new element came in today. now it's time for a drive

 

[vancetater]

Wow looks good I had just changed the oil in it a week befour u got it the tire trans mount gave me a laugh wow. Like I said all I did to this thing was get it running and paint the thing

 

[Scooter]

wow looks good I had just changed the oil in it a week befour u got it the tire trans mount gave me a laugh wow. Like I said all I did to this thing was get it running and paint the thing

Yea - when I saw the ole crap of tire tread for the trans mount, I just shook my head in amazement. That's something that the hoodlem cheap bastards in my area would do.

I had the CPT trans mount, that I purchased from ihon, in my barrel rolled Scout, and just swaped it over

the engine oil did look fresh, but I changed it anyways. Plus, I also recently changed the transmision filter and oil. The oil in the trans smelled a little burnt and the filter was just as dirty. Had a very slight matalic residue, when I pulled the pan. Looked more like band wear, which seemed almost normal

 

[Scooter]

Yesterday, I took the time to install the hood strut kit. Easiest upgrade install known to man. Took all of 5 minutes. Compliments to Jeff once again - thank you




So much easier to lift up the hood. And ya don't even have to go to the passenger side to let the hood down

 

[Scooter]

Got started working on a shackle reversal kit yesterday. I had the kit sitting on the shelf for a couple years, that was ear marked for my 72. But that project is on hold for now, so I decided to install this kit into my current beast.

As I was tearing through it, to my suprise, one of the previous owners had installed urethane bushings in the leaf springs. Also, noticed that the front left bushing is a little chewed up from what ever happened in the past.




These are the front shackles I took off in order to mount the fangs for the shackle reversal



After getting the fangs mounted with some good tack welds, we moved onto plasma cutting off the rear leaf spring hangers and cleaning up left over bugger welds



Still need to get the proper angle for new shackles, then drill through the frame with hole saw for the sleeves that came with the kit. Then 100% welding will be done on fangs & sleeves, once they are in place.

 

[vancetater]

I love seeing this thing get the attention it deserves. I am glad you got it hope the po I got it from did not do to much more ghetto fabing

 

[Scooter]

I love seeing this thing get the attention it deserves. I am glad you got it hope the po I got it from did not do to much more ghetto fabing

Lmao - ghetto fabing you say. Check out this u-bolt spring plate on front driver side axle



Plus, who ever did the welding on the leaf spring hanger on rear of front springs had some major bugger welds. Spent the last hour and a half just to grind that crap off, from both frame rails.

I will be posting more of the chit welds when I do the axle swap. Who ever did the conversion for the SOA on the front axle housing had no clue what so ever on how to weld onto cast iron. Plus, what makes matters worse, are those crappy shock mounts on the housing aren't even welded a 100%. Roughly 1" (if that) spot bugger welds

 

[vancetater]

I noticed the shock mounts when I got it also theay look like there for a much larger axle tube like a 60 or 14 bolt lol

 

[Scooter]

While I was setting up to set the shackle angle I figured I post this shot of tires being temporarily mounted to get all the weight onto leaf springs.



Hopefully, by this evening, I will have holes drilled through frame and the sleeves welded in. Along with the shackles with the new bushings installed

 

[Erik VanRenselaar]

You've got the *little* grant formula gt steering wheel (13" dia). Grant offers the same style in a 15" wheel (the #1770), which feels more like the rallye option steering wheel used on late-model Scout iis. I had a 13" grant and changed to a 15". The 13-incher felt like it shoulda been on a slammed '64 chebby impala...

today, since I had a change of plans, and had some spare time, I swapped steering wheels from my barrel rolled 74 Scout. Granted, both wheels are identical, but the old one was coated with bed liner. And I didn't care for it much. Not only that, I wanted to be able to utilize the grant steering wheel locking option I had readily available.

 

[Scooter]

you've got the *little* grant formula gt steering wheel (13" dia). Grant offers the same style in a 15" wheel (the #1770), which feels more like the rallye option steering wheel used on late-model Scout iis. I had a 13" grant and changed to a 15". The 13-incher felt like it shoulda been on a slammed '64 chebby impala...

I have had that wheel on the right for like 4 or 5 years. And I'm suprised it held up to a barrel roll, even though it's slightly warped.

When I was deciding on getting this steering wheel, I don't think they had the 15" version yet. Took a little time to get used to the smaller diameter wheel. Plus, with the steering wheel removal & locking unit that I installed, extends the wheel about 2" further away from the dash. Even with a 13" wheel it's a slightly tight squeeze while steering. Seat is a little too close to column for my taste

 

[Scooter]

Man - what a huge deference this shackle reversal kit made. The beast handles so much better. I just finished with a test drive after finally completing the install. Tried to hit every dip and pot hole possible and no more wondering or bouncing all over the place into the next lanes in either direction.

Now onto more pressing issues. While installing the shackle reversal kit, I noticed that the ball joints in the steering knuckles are totaly shot. The upper passenger side seemed to be the worst. But, considering the lack of maintenance on this rig, they all will be replaced. But, I will end up swaping axles by the time that happens. And to make matters worse, who ever did the SOA conversion on the Dana 44 front end had no clue how to weld mild steel to cast iron and left a lot of messed up booger welds. Which is also why I plan on pulling it out and swaping it with known good working front end.

 

[Scoutboy74]

Looks good! I'm jealous....of the rs...not the boogered up 44 so much.

 

[Scooter]

Thank ya. Lol - bout the d-44. I will be posting pics of it when I do the axle swap. The last photo that I posted shows my striped down 74 that has 2 Dana 44's with ARB's and 4.56 gears and 35 spline inner axle shafts

I will do axle swaping soon enough. Probably end up doing one axle at a time with a week or two in between

 

[vancetater]

Wow looks great I need to do the same thing to my rallye. I took it wheelin this weekend and my pass side front spring hanger broke off the frame and tore a hole in it I just tack welded it on till I do the rs. Thats a bummer on the blown out ball joints I had givin jayson or ruben a brand new set when we all met up here in sc I shoild have givin them to you. I should have inspected that rig a little more befour I sold it seems unsafe. I drove it over the hill many times and let friends barrow it

 

[Scooter]

Yea it is a bit scary thinking of them worn out ball joints while driving. Can't wait until I have a chance to swap the axles from my rolled Scout which are still in good shape - hopefully. Wont know till I actually pull them out and check.

In the mean time, since I couldn't go to hollister this weekend, I did a little floor pan patch work. Where once was the huge heater assembly, which disapeared through this beasts life time, on the passenger floor under the dash area, there was holes left behind. So I cut out a couple plugs and patch welded up a few holes.




Over all, the passenger side floor pan under the seat and feet area, was is good shape. Driver side is a different story. Left side has the normal major rust hole right at the body mount bushing area. That whole floor pan section needs to be replaced. Also, in the bed behind the rear bench seat, right above gas tank, there's a nice big ole hole where some previous owner cut out. Kinda looks like they wanted easy access to the sending unit. Apparently, I'm the fourth owner of this beast. So I can't point the blame towards any single person. Pics will follow when I get to that point.

 

[vancetater]

I have got a good heater unit if you need one came off the stript rallye

 

[Scooter]

Thanks.
I have somewhat considered kinda robbing the one from my rolled Scout. I know it was working before the roll happend.

I have also considered going the vintage air setup route instead though. I have read somewhere where another Scout owner installed one into thiers with good results

 

[Scooter]

Talken about a fire waiting to happen. And, so very typical of 33+ year old wiring along with lack of maintenance. Probably every since I had this beast, there has been a little bit of starting issues, which has been getting worse over time. And there has been a definate battery drain. And this one wire May have been the culprit on the starting issue. Since it was connected to the ignition key switch and traced it all the way down to behind the fuse box connecting to the bulkhead connecter. The plastic sheathing was melted off, for the most part, all the way from the key switch to the fuse box. Ouch - btw - I did notice the sheathing on the wire at the ignition switch soon after I purchased this beast. But never took the time to trace the wire until now

 

[Scooter]

It's been awhile since I have had the energy or motivation to work on the beast. But I finally got tired of staring at this gapping cancer hole in the sheet metal between driver side door and rear wheel well



Then after marking and cutting out the old crap I cleaned it up and brushed on some por15. I used my plasma cutter for cutting out most of the crapy sheet metal. I did cut a little too much into the right inner panel but stitch welded it back up before the paint.



Through ihon I acquired the patch panel. Which is tacked into place for the photo op. Had to let it cool down before more stitch welding. Don't want or need the warpage.



Finally finished the body work. For not being a professional body repair man myself, it came out ok. Granted that I don't think this rig will ever be a winner at a car show, but it works for me for now