International Scouts are tough vehicles, even ones that look as rough as this 1976 Scout II Traveler diesel does, and having a diesel engine makes this one a bit unusual. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Linden, New Jersey and there is a $1,250 buy-it-now price listed or you can make an offer. Thanks to Larry D. for sending in this tip!
The first photo looked more promising than this photo does, showing the trashed right quarter panel. That’ll “need replaced”, as they say in 2021. It’s more than just the right side quarter panel that needs work, but that appears to be the worst of the body damage or rust, which are both fairly plentiful. But, for a thousand bucks, give or take, can this one be saved, or is it just a parts vehicle by this point?
The International Scout II was made beginning in the spring of 1971 and they ended up basically being the last consumer vehicle made by International Harvester. The Traveler was made from 1976 to 1980 and it had a full-sized fiberglass top. The Terra had a small cab and was the pickup version. They were a foot and a half longer than the other Scouts. The seller has included some underside photos and other than heavy surface rust, it looks solid.
As always, seats and upholstery, in general, aren’t a bothersome thing for me after finding a great upholstery shop and I bet that as is usually the case, a thorough cleaning would have made this interior look fairly nice. But, this truck is located in a junk yard and they aren’t typically in the business of detailing vehicles before selling them.
The unusual part of this rig is the 198 cubic-inch Chrysler/Nissan SD33 inline-six-cylinder diesel engine which had around 82 horsepower. Some sources say that the Scout II Terra was the first factory-produced consumer diesel pickup in America, but then again, other sources say that isn’t so. Either way, the seller hasn’t started this one but it turns over. Two questions: 1) Can this Scout II Traveler be saved? 2) What do you think was the first factory-produced diesel pickup in America?
I’ve had 5 Scouts….loved them and their drivetrains…..so bad to rust though…..
Ha! My brother has 3 in various states of disrepair in his farmyard. I’ve suggested that he divest himself of 1, 2, or all 3. He won’t hear of it. I’m not going to tell him about this one. I’m afraid that he’d be planning a trip.
That sd33 is a strong engine. I have the turbo model in a 88 patrol. They easy go 350-400,000 miles.
That engine is worth the price. The SD series of diesels are fantastic engines. The 720 Datsun pickup came with the 2.2 liter version. Powerful? No..powerful enough? yes. And smooth and long-lived. Too bad the truck is that rusty. Sure, “replace quarter panel”..but..with what? Huh..funny thing tho.. Could there be a new old stock part in the loft of some IH dealer? Might be an adventure there!
Do it like a Bronco. Put the world’s biggest fender well on it and then you don’t have to worry about the quarter panel…LoL!
Had one way back when, it had the Nissan diesel, great motor but not going to light up the tires, pretty gutless actually.
Isuzu diesel trucks,
We here pretty early.
Had a chance to buy a solid one 20 yrs back for 1500.00.
Back then everything was just a vehicle, I passed up so many deals, now i just try not to think about it.
There was a story in a vintage truck magazine recently about this company. You might give them a try for parts.
https://www.superscoutspecialists.com/
I purchased it. Hopefully I can get her going again. If nothing else I think there is enough in parts to get my money back.
That’s fantastic, Austin, congratulations! Please keep us up to date as to if you get it on the road again or whatever else happens with it.
I have been privileged to own a bunch of classics and one was a nearly new 1979 Traveler Rallye I bought from original.owner w/less that 12k miles about 2 years old. Had the IH 345 4bbl and every option. One of the best vehicles I owned except for the rust. I swear it was rusting when new. Took it to body shop had it repaired and sadly sold it.
I bought a 1973 Scout II back in 1978 from the Chevy dealer in St. Joseph, Missouri. It had the 304 and 3-speed transmission. The original owner had traded it in for a Blazer. Barely six years old and already rusting out in several places, but it was a great little truck. I traded it off four years later for a 1976 Dodge Ram Charger, which for a good many years was the biggest mistake of my automotive life. Sure wish I’d kept that Scout.
“…the first factory-produced diesel pickup in America…”
’83 F250 (a 6.9 IH?)
I do not consider this IH a p/u. The last yr hada turbo on the diesel I believe (nissian SD 33) no?
wasn’t the SD32 1st & non-turbo?