New guy here with a 78 Terra

[yesdogjr]

Hey y'all.. I'm new to the 4x4 world and feel like a babe in the woods. The learning curve is intense. I have been restoring muscle cars for many years now and though I would take a stab at restoring a Scout II for my daily driver. After some time spent researching as much as I can about these awesome trucks I finally landed on a terra and just picked up a 1978 from mississippi with a 392, 4 speed, & Dana 44's w/3.55's. As this is to be a daily driver I have pushed aside the two mustang projects I have going and am about to start pulling this terra apart. I don't have any of the casting numbers or more details as of yet but will post them shortly and hope for some help with identifying them.

It's my intention to pull the tub for a frame off resto and am looking for any tips and advise concerning the tub removal.

What pitfalls do I need to pay attention to before hand?

Also are there any east texas members on here?

Thanks a million!
Rmg

 

[RMScout]

Power wash or steam clean the excess gunk off before you get started.

Take a bunch of pictures.

Mark (or drill) the door hinge positions.

Don't pull the body off until after you align the fenders and doors and tack weld temporary braces (1.5" tube is good) across the door openings and bed area front and rear.

 

[yesdogjr]

Thanks for the info its greatly appreciated.

 

[yesdogjr]

Well I got the tub off and am ready to start the sheet metal work. Can't wait..

 

[yesdogjr]

Wow so happy!! I was not expecting to have the expense for a new softopper this early in my build but when I found out they were discontinuing the terra/traveler line and only had a few left I had to bite the bullet early. I just grabbed the very last tan top they have.

Fyi they only have one left, its white with clear windows. So if you need one better get moving.

 

[yesdogjr]

Started cutting out the cancer on this build and its going beautifully.

 

[yesdogjr]

Making good progress or at least that's what I'm telling myself.

 

[scouttoo]

Making great progress and looking good! You're definitely set-up and know what you're doing. Keep us posted.

 

[yesdogjr]

Thanks scouttoo. I have been able to get quite a bit more done, in fact I'm just about ready to start the roll cage portion of this build. Unfortunately I don't have a quality bender so I'm outsourcing it to a guy that does some amazing work. Then its off to the paint booth. While that is being done I will focus on the drive train and frame. Hopefully this Scout will be back on the road by the end of January.

 

[yesdogjr]

More pics

 

[scouttoo]

How is it coming?

 

[yesdogjr]

Hi scouttoo, thanks again for the inner fender. All is progressing well I'm just about finished with the body work and should be ready to shoot some primer in a couple weeks then its off to the cage guy for a custom full length cage. While he's doing that I will be able to start work on the frame and suspension lift. If all goes well it will be back on the road by mid April. I will post more pics shortly and am especially interested in opinions on the custom dash I've reworked.

 

[scouttoo]

hi scouttoo, thanks again for the inner fender.

You must have me confused with someone else! Good to hear you're making progress. I'm working on getting a traveler home. Between my schedule, the seller's schedule, my helper's (son) schedule and renting a trailer it's difficult to coordinate. At least the weather is cooperating here.

 

[yesdogjr]

My mistake I thought you were the guy out of CA that I picked up an inner fender from. Thanks and good luck with your project.

 

[yesdogjr]

Here are a couple pics showing were its at now.

 

[yesdogjr]

I'm curious to see what people think of the mods I've made to the dash. Let me know if yall like it or not. I customized a recess for a ipad mini that will sync up with a hidden head unit for tunes, video, and gps. It is also so the ipad can be removed and stored away hopefully to keeping thief's at bay.