With the explosion in popularity (and price) of the first-generation Ford Bronco in the past few years, perhaps it is time that another similar classic gets some attention. The International Scout shares a lot of qualities that make the Bronco so popular, but they are often overlooked. This one is from 1971 and can be found here on Craigslist with an asking price of $38,500. Engine swaps are fairly common in older Scouts, but this one is pretty unique. Have a look at what is under the hood of this one!
You are looking at a 12-valve Cummins diesel out of a W250 Dodge truck. Yep, this ol’ Scout has a modern torque-monster under the hood! Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of photos of the engine or the interior in the ad. The seller says the engine fires right up and gets over 20 miles per gallon. There have been some maintenance items done including the thermostat and hydraulic damper along with new fuel injectors. Without a wider view, it is a little hard to tell the quality of the swap, but hopefully, the seller will provide more photos to any prospective buyers.
As mentioned before, there are limited photos of the interior in the ad. From this photo, you can tell that the floor and transmission tunnel have been coated with either a thick paint or bed liner-type material. The seller mentions the 727 transmission has been rebuilt but the “4wd shifter is stiff.” The stereo has been upgraded with Bluetooth and it also features new seats, gauges, heater, and wipers.
Here you can see the top installed. The seller admits that they drive it most of the time with the top off, which like its Bronco counterpart, is a great feature of these Scouts. Unlike the Bronco, however, on a Scout, there is no window frame around the doors. This provides a great look when the top is off, which gives it an advantage over a Bronco in the looks department. If you had a choice between a vintage Bronco or Scout, which would you choose and why?
WOW! Good looking Scout. NO RUST!!! I wander if he has did any body work on it. I would sure take me a magnet with me. Just saying…..
Did that Cummins straight six fit with no firewall modifications? I would have thought the engine compartment too short for that. While I like old Scouts (I had 1972 Scout II for a while in the 90’s) and I appreciate the swap, I think it is a very high price.
Looks like the seller did a great job on making this Scout a real beast. Better deal than a new 2021 computer controlled pickup truck. Lots of money spent on great upgrades as well. 38K doesn’t buy much these days. Which vehicle will be around in another 50 years? The 71 Scout or the 2021 pickup?
A Scout with a Cummins? A Scummins!
Wow this is a very different ride, I have 12 years on my 94 5 speed Cummins and it’s a beast. My guess is that the firewall definitely had to be cut and there looks like a crossover pipe Meaning that this not intercooled, which may be a big deal to some, my truck is intercooled but I think a lot of the gen ones weren’t . Maybe the gen one was more tame than my truck, But my 12 valve rattles and vibrates like nothing else, Hats off for the job Dodge did with the motor mounts. But boo on the dashboard, I’m on my second cab and my 3rd dash, why my aftermarket exhaust is still good is beyond me, there’s an rpm ( maybe 721) where the tailpipe does the wooka wooka like I’ve never seen, yes I have rubber mounted blah blah blah. While these 12 valves will be around for a while, they are the toughest, they are loud, I would want to start this international up and open the door and just see what it does open, then shut it and stick my finger in between the door and the catch. I bet it gets more than 20 mpg, what about the axles? Maybe it’s dumbed down enough that with an automatic it will be ok with the Dana 44s.The Cummins torque will find any weak link. Interesting, this big motor in this little wheelbase could be cobra like, I bet it flies up hills!I’m sure with a Cummins it’s no longer like the scout or the bronco anymore. Probably not good for a teen, Would like to see if the frame was reinforced or maybe some underneath pics, it does look super , But with that price tag it will be interesting to see what happens. Hats off to the builders vision, what a find! A rust free scout, You probably have to respect it like a cobra.
I am also surprised how high it sits in the front with a very heavy diesel in the engine bay. Maybe they put HD springs on the front.
Nice piece to have to look at, but as small and narrow as this generation of scouts were, this particular one would be a very dangerous vehicle to drive as it would flip very easy going around any corner.
Probably in a straight to. As the speed and touchy steering . I,d rather have it original–without the worries of wondering of finding out the hard way. To me–it doesn,t seem like a scout or have the scout look. I like the old scout.
bronks go w/the frameless dor-windows too. They slide out. Late model wuz spot welded in so just replace w/nut/bolt. They do so to get that smooth look when the windshield is down. Only the 1st model here duz (80, not the 800 or scout/scout II) I don’t believe~
I’m one who sez lift too hi, wheels too big, now too nose heavy.
2.8 turbo diesel woulda been fine, 16x33x9.50 tires OK, and 1 inch BL, 1, 2 inch SL all fine instead…
I was expecting a 4BT but that is cool