If it’s all about the options, then this 1979 International Harvester Scout Traveler is quite possibly one of the most robustly-equipped trucks we’ve seen in a while. It’s a rare Traveler edition with the extended wheelbase, plus it has the desirable Nissan-built diesel engine under the hood. Throw in the four-speed manual transmission with locking hubs and you have a recipe for a very capable off-roader or ultimate “bug-out” vehicle, if you’re into that (may not be a bad idea, these days.) Find the Traveler here on eBay with bidding just over $1,500 and some mild rust issues to sort out.
As you can see in that top photo, the body does have some crustiness you’ll want to address before too long. But it’s hardly a total rot-box and the big story is the Nissan-built diesel under the hood. This is a commercial-grade engine that was overbuilt when new, and should provide reliable, steady performance for years to come. The seller contends you could “…tune it up” and drive it the way it is, but I’m not sure whether that means it’s running or it needs the full assortment of pre-startup work before attempting to fire it for the first time. Regardless, the engine is a known quantity and desirable in the Scout crowd.
The interior features the factory premium package, rounding out the list of notable options. When this truck was ordered new, it’s clear that first owner had a vision for how it would be used. Mileage is low at just 96,000, and there’s plenty of life left in the entire drivetrain at that number. The interior appears to be in fair condition, with a blanket thrown over the front bench and presumably hiding the sort of damage that doesn’t play well in eBay auctions. The floors appear to be in good shape, the dash un-cracked, and the rear bench in what looks like near-new condition. The cargo bay floor is solid, too.
The seller includes plenty of underside photos which confirm his assertion that the truck is quite solid despite the rust visible on the lower quarter panels and rear fenders on both sides. These are trouble spots for Scouts, as we noted rust bubbling in a similar location on Scout II that hailed from Arizona recently. Still, this one checks a lot of boxes with that stout Nissan-built diesel under the hood, and at times such as these, I like the idea of a capable off-roader that will still fire up when (and if) the lights go out. For this price and no reserve, I think this diesel Scout Traveler is worthy of a closer look.
Got kind of a diesel thing going here. Like I said on the POO-joe one, there was a short time when people were trying to save a buck, and diesel was half the cost of gas. Every manufacturer jumped on the bandwagon. Today, not so, and diesel is always more than gas. I’d bet donuts, it’s what is holding this back monetarily. As rare as they are, by rights, these should bring 1st gen Bronco or FJ prices, but nobody wants a diesel. Too bad, their loss, they were great trucks, even with a boat-anchor diesel..
funny thing on diesel… if you get 25% more mileage, then if the price is 25% more it is a break even BUT… most vehicles with diesels in them have heavier duty “stuff” (suspension etc.). So hidden savings there too. Odd how people do not look at the FULL costs of ownership, just the fuel. (having owned far too many gas and diesel vehicles)
Full time locking hubs?
@leineidude, ha ha, it took me a minute to figure out what you were talking about. I sincerely doubt it—it looks like they just slapped a set of rear hubcaps on the front wheels. I see a transfer case lever in the interior picture so it does appear to be 4-wheel drive, but, then, this is a Scout, and one never knows what’s been done to it…
That grille isn’t right for a 1979, is it?
A good friend of mine had an orange one of these with a white top, the 345 V8, and the second row captain’s chairs. It was quite also only one of the coolest cars ever.
I don’t know about highly desirable. Maybe the Turbo version, but even with that, these were never really going to get out of their own way. I’ve driven one and was less than impressed with its performance—but, then, I own one with a 345 V-8.
The grille looks like a blacked-out ’73 or a ’74-75, but it’s hard to tell from the pictures.
I count my 79 scout Ii as one of my all time favorite cars/trucks. 304 gas and auto. A base truck. Extremely strong mechanicly. Lousy tin and seats!!!
I upgraded it a lot. It looked great and performed very reliably.
Aye, a bit of rust over a rear wheel and over the cat on the floor.
Lived in Colorado or it’s early years.
As 81 was the last Scout year, and the gas crunch of 8 was in full swing, I got a great deal at the Toyota dealer..
Carl
Is this a 1000/11/12? then its a Traveler, not a Scout. Which is it? /OR/ is this like mid 80s LTD/Marquis. The name is (almost) for both the full and dwn sized? This hasa hatchback type rear (isa scout II then)?
Nxt yr, the Scout (only IH available as were drifting into bankruptcy) nissian motor hada turbo. The ‘turn it up’ in a non-computer controlled diesel fuel pump can be encouraged to pump more fuel = cooler motor, more power.
I had a 73 196 4cyl, 4 spd, 4.11 geared Dana 44’s , great truck, tough as nails and surprisingly good on gas. I ended up swapping a 392 and auto into it. Killed the mileage but it was way more fun to drive.
I owned one of these. Top of the line model with factory stripes and AC and the Nissan Turbo Diesel. Top speed, a whopping 74 mph on the flat if you could wait long enough. It got 20 mpg city or highway. My new F-150 gets 18 around town and low 20’s on the highway, it’ll do 90 as easy as 60 and a quarter mile in the middle 14’s.
I love the old Scouts, I had a few of them, and my Scout II with a 345 was a great truck. But this diesel does not appeal to me one bit and given the tendency of these trucks to rot away like they’re made of graham crackers, I’d have to take a pass.