1971 Scout II (810) Half Cab Restoration

Caperodder

Caperodder

Member
I started this restoration last fall, so I thought I'd better start posting, as the project is now in full swing.

The story goes, that this Scout was owned by a single family in san antonio texas, and spent its life on a horse ranch, many of its years unregistered. A cousin, or uncle or some family member drove it from texas to cape cod, where I live, and had ambitions of doing a restoration. As it happens the po got in way over his head and his abilities, and the Scout turned into a partially disassembled basket case. It's titled as having an original 26k miles, which or course is questionable. That being said, this has to be the most rust free Scout I have ever encountered. There is no rust, and no metal repair to speak of.

I'm currently driving a 72 Scout II, but when I saw this on craigslist, I had to have it. I was able to purchas the Scout for a couple grand. The engine is a 345, (being rebuilt on another thread), with a t-18 tranny. Pretty much stock, except for the wheels. It also has a steel full top to go with it.

This is a nut/bolt frame off restoration. More to follow, but this is the way I purchased it. (after I bolted it back together) front driver fender was crunched, but I had some spares to choose from.
 

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Well, not too much rock climbing here on the cape. Want this to be my new daily driver and to be able to tow my boat to the bay. I guess resto-mod describes it. Pretty much stock, with some improvements to the brakes and engine. Putting disks on the front, and I am totally rebuilding the 345 and including the isky 256 cam. T-18 is getting all new bearings. Air conditioning will also be modernized. I believe there are new springs on the axels, and I like the present ride height. This thing is just way too nice to cut-up.

The po had sprayed bed liner on the entire interior, including the dash/doors and that was an absolute nightmare to remove. That's done and everything is sandblasted to new condition. Pics to follow.

-brett
 
My brothers shop has a paint booth, so I decided to do the bodywork there.

When I got to the shop I realized that I had not tightened down the new body bushing bolts. There was only one left holding the body to the frame......that could have gotten real interesting, flying down i95!
 

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Here it is in its noew home for a couple of months while we do the body. I had already removed the drivetrain, gutted the wiring and the interior. We'll be media blasting the frame and the body. The frame and body will be primed using the powder coating process. Frame to be semi-gloss black, and body to be original flame red using ppg concept single stage.

-brett
 

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Towed her over to the blaster/powder coating shop. Built a couple of body braces, and off she came.
 

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Hauled the chassis back home for a good cleaning and to prep for media blast.
 

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Chassis powder coated, fuel and brake lines run. Axels need to be totally done, but I've temporarily installed them for now so that we can move on to the body.
 

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Stock is good! I like how her stance as she is now myself. You're getting a lot done quickly. Keep up the awesome work and plenty of pics! :icon_xd:
 
Er, um......yes, towed her with a mini. I May have failed to mention that I live on cape cod and my brothers shop is in florida. :) with the drivetrain and interior out of the vehicle, it towed like a dream. Ever took her down 81 through the blue ridge. Now you know why I was concerned when I got there and only had one bolt holding the body to the chassis.

Thanks for the positive responses. Couldn't have done any of this without the postings that I have been poring over on this forum.

-brett
 
Powder coated the entire bottom to match the chassis. When it was finished, it looked amazing!
 

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I do see one item that is kind of a hot button thing for me, as I deal with federal land use issues on a daily basis. You have what appear to be glass packs in the exhaust. Them critters are way illegal on federal ground as they are not considered a spark arrester. Not sure what you have for back there for parks or seashores, just wanted to warn you...other than that, I am seriously impressed with how your rig is going:thumbsup:
 
And that my friends is a very condensed version of the work done, and brings us up to the current date. Next we start with the dreaded body jam alignments and block sanding.

-brett
 

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Hi dave.

Oh that exhaust system has long since been trashed. I'll be installing a new system front to back. Likely magnaflows, no glass packs. (I'd never make state inspection here with that setup)

-brett
 
Yeah, in theory we can't deviate from stock here on exhaust, but...:lol:you mentioned upgrades, and if you don't mind, I'll suggest one we did on my son's '74. We tossed the stock axles and put a waggy 44 in front, and an izuzu rodeo/honda passport 44 in the rear. Got him more "modern" stuff, and 4 wheel disc brakes and 6 lug bolt pattern. Used the stock master cylinder, and that thing will stop. Cost less than a rear disc kit, too:d
 
Hi dave,

interesting. I'm going to get her up on her stock legs initially, but I'll have to look into that. That along with fuel injection would be a good off-season project.

-brett
 
The thing with the waggy is it's a true 44. You have a 30 in yours, and they don't like to be leaned on. Learned that 35 years ago on my first Scout II. Also will need to change to 1/2" wheel studs all around so you don't have metric in the rear. We'll be doing this to mine once I get over the shock of a motor swap:mad2:
 
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