Scouts, Blazers, and Broncos are all hot right now, but could this ratty looking Scout II really be worth seven grand? Normally we would say no, but there are a few factors that could make this vintage SUV very valuable to the right guy. The seller doesn’t give us much information to go off of in their listing, so we will have to focus on what makes these worthwhile and let potential buyers figure out it all out. It’s located in Los Lunas, New Mexico and is listed here on craigslist for $7,500.
The drivetrain is the key here. You could get a 4-banger in the Scout II, but this is obviously one of the two V8s available at the time – 304 or 345. The engine designation would normally be printed on the air cleaner cover, but someone has replaced it with a chrome job. Perhaps some of our IH experts can identify it for us? The larger engine would add some value as would four-wheel-drive. Some fancy suspension upgrades might make this worth more to a rock crawler too. I’m guessing this is a 4×4 based on the ride height, but right now it’s anyone’s guess. All these questions could be quickly answered with a quick phone call, but it’s a perfect opportunity for a discussion!
doing one up right now.
Tony, what’s the paint code for that blue? It’s perfect!
As am I………a 75.
Dam hippes
If it is a 304 it would be a 2bbl carb, 345’s came with either a 2bbl or a 4 bbl. the only way to tell for sure is to look at the block stamp near the front on the block but it is under the exhaust manifold and very difficult to see while in the truck. Best way to tell is get a line setting sheet for 20.00 for the exact Vinn. That will tell everything about how the truck was built. I think it could also be a 266, another engine built on the same block.
266 long gone by 1973. The most common Scout engine is the 304. Intake manifold wider on the 345 due to taller deck, one way to determine the engine. Just had visitors from Maine to here in Colorado, driving a Scout II, they were surprised at how comfortable the truck was for that trip.
I bought mine as a nearly rust free example out of a central Oregon junk yard for 750.00……complete with even the original hubcaps. Off course, I have 15,000 or so in it now with mechanical upgrades. It is going to my body shop next for another 5,000 of work. Probably will have close to 30K in it when totally done.
People are starting to notice the Scouts, and the prices are going up.
I just found an all original complete 1961 Scout 80, with the sliding windows, fold down windshield, and half cab. Sitting in a shed since 1975 and rust free.
While I don’t need another one I will try to buy it anyway.
Owned 5 Scouts over the years, loved ’em from a 4 cylinder to a loaded 345 with air, ps, pb and tilt wheel….if they still made them I would buy a new one…
I had three in the northeast, rotted around me but love them. The V8’s were as quite as an engine could be idling. Drove five hours up to Lake Placid in snow storm, not an issue. Did the same home, foot plus of snow and counting on a “plowed” road, no problem……they were the best.
I’ve always wondered about the four-banger.
Did it get much better gas mileage than the v8? I’m sure it was slower, but for around-town driving would it be good?
Looks to have lock outs on the front axle so my guess is a 4×4. I agree Scouts / First generation Broncos / 67 to 72 Blazers are getting ridiculously high prices when they won’t be used as intended.
Well, yes and no. Going on availability, worth every penny. Worth every penny?,,,not really. Great trucks, best ever, probably. I drove many International heavy duty trucks, and these used the same technology. Couldn’t kill them. Trouble was, it’s still a truck. ( they never lost that image, remember the ads? “No mom, it’s not a truck, it’s a Scout”) Don’t get me wrong, they made some very nice Scouts, every option you could think of. Turned many on to SUV’s, they did. Since there’s no interior pics, I’m sure that’s trashed. Engine? We go ’round and ’round with that, it’s ok, I guess. But it’s noisy, lousy brakes, rough ride, crummy heat, crappy seats really more for mending fences in the back 40, than I-95. I looked at some the other day in a field, man, were they rough, one was bending in half, so this is pretty good. If this is what good Scouts bring, I’d get something else. There’s better SUV’s.
Had one, sold one. Great for cruising around town but a beast to drive down the road. Cook your feet on the floor pan and crush your back. Got in and out for less than his asking price but that was 3-4 yrs ago.
Not sure if I’ve written about scouts on this site before. I love ‘me and would love to have one again. I’m always happy when I find a way to make a Scout connection with folks.
I am living the Scout life vicariously these days because of constraints of time, money, and a family. I just haven’t taken the plunge yet. I’ve been tracking craigslist ads and ebay for a few years now. I’ll have to wait a few more to realize my dreams of keeping a Scout in this world, but I can always feel it just around the corner.
I grew up in Philly with and learned to drive in my mom’s tahitian red ’79 Ralleye. It was a perfect color to match all the rust that was to come as a northeast daily driver. We were all so proud to own that truck! Never wheeled with it except in snow. Trailered our camper around Lancaster County with the 345/ 727. Parents kept it through ’92. I’d come home from college in the later years and pop rivet scales of roofer’s aluminum over all the new holes to keep her going and pass another inspection. Loved it then and guess part of me still does. Anyway, someday I hope to have another of my own.
I think my photo might be sized too big to share here, but I’ll try anyway.
–Neal
And hats off to all you guys working on them and keeping them going.
Regarding price, from here in the rusty northeast and from what I’ve seen, that seems like a fair price if it’s a running rig with no or minimal rust.
And speaking of rust, it’s funny how everyone always comments about how badly Scouts got the tinworm, but it seems clear from following listings here on Barnfinds that ALL cars have that problem. Heck, my ’07 Odyssey is starting to get crunchy in that telltale spot behind the rear wheel.
Hi Neal, you’re right, rust is rust, but these tended to rust a lot quicker, like any 4×4 in “plow country” and were subjected to a lot of salt. When most stayed home, those Scouts “plowed” through. Didn’t have a prayer. That “Rallye” is pretty cool, although, it really was an appearance package. Apparently, there were several special editions, and I believe the “Midas Edition” was the fanciest. Swivel seats, overhead console, full carpeting, they were nice trucks.
My dad had a beautiful 73 Scout II that he had restored and owned for about 15 years before selling it for 7grand. He currently has a 67 Scout 800 that he found in a field that he bought for 300 bucks. It’s rusty and non running so it may be a custom.
Only international 3/4 ton pick ups had the 345 the scouts had 304 in them
Sorry, Wayne. That’s just not true.
It is true that the 392 was , though.
Neal……..you are correct.
Let me see if I can upload a photo of work in process last winter.
Yup these are pretty sweet!
Dad Charles bought the pickup n SUV new and all accessories after being paralized on the right side for years. A true WW ll South Pacific trucker. My friend Barry has one Barn stored.
This is a 4×4 as you can tell by the front hubs. I like these, but then my family is into 4×4’s. They weren’t the SUV’s of today, they were rough, they were noisy, they were not a highway cruiser, but for the off road trail I think they were right up there with the Jeeps. I think for $6000 this could be a good deal.
My scouts have all been good highway trucks. My nearly new 1979 Traveler was hard on fuel but with 3.73 gears and a smoged 345 would not even shift down on the grapevine at 70 MPH. In my experiance, the Scouts with higher quality interiors, carpet, sound proofing etc, are as quiet as any similar vehicle of there time but many came as bare bones without the sound deadening materials so were noisy. They are far superior to a CJ or Wrangler on the highway and also can be better off road. They commonly are equipped with features that had to be added aftermarket to Jeeps, like locking differentials, hi rise manifolds, heavy axles and gear sets. Off course they are a bit larger than the Jeep platforms, much more powerful, larger brakes, also much less likely to roll in an accident. The one I am doing now has 3.73 gears and a 5 speed overdrive….I am a little worried about how fast it will go.
5 speed? What tranny are you using? Is it an engine/drivetrain from a lightline pickup truck? Or an non-IH setup?
Riding and then driving in my family’s Scout always seemed plenty civilized way back when. Probably different from my current Sienna, and a bit choppy with the stuff springs and short wheelbase, but plenty car-like.
Where are you? I’d love to see your rig.
Sorry, I must disagree, Dave. I don’t believe any Scout is or was better than the CJ Wrangler.( on a large scale) I do like the Scout, a lot, but I think you are being a bit optimistic. I drove a newer Wrangler, and it was, by far, the nicest CJ (type) I ever drove. Very, VERY few Scouts were equipped to run down the highway @70 mph. Most were low geared rattle traps, and most were sold as utility vehicles. They never lost that truck image. As far as mechanical, engine aside, I believe both Jeep and Scout used the same basic drivetrain (Dana axles, BW trans), so you’re splitting hairs on off road capability.( and ALL vehicles like this are inherently tippy) Again, I like the Scout a lot, but you’re making it seem like it was ok on the highway, and maybe your’s was or is, but most just pushed snow, and sat next to the barn until they were needed again.
http://www.geocities.ws/lances_scouts/LeftSide.jpg
The 5 speed overdrive came with the 4.0. Jeep. I would have never used an AMC engine but my Scout came from the factory with a 258 instead of an IHC engine
Howard……..you need to study more…….most of my Scouts including the one I am doing now have 3.73 gears. With a common 32″ over all diameter tire, the engine turns 2741 RPM. Just about where the engine makes maximum torque…….the sweet spot for fuel economy and drive ability. The early 4 cyl cars frequently had 4.10’s so the numbers are different. The high 3.73 gearing is very useable because the 2 speed transfer case gives you plenty of lower gears when needed. I have seen too many accidents with the Jeep CJ (wranglers are better) one of my buddies in high school got a new CJ5 for a graduation present…..he and his buddy were out pheasant hunting late one fall…..they were driving at speed down the highway, hit a spot of ice, the Jeep went sideways and caught dry pavement. It rolled maby 6 times, (no one was sure) killing them both and there dog. Years later in my military rescue trade here in the west I saw the similar thing repeated several times. Then Jeep had a class action suit over the instability off there CJ’s. That is when the developed the Wrangler a better but still not terribly stable vehicle. The BLM bought a large quantity of CJ8 long wheelbase vehicles. The roll over rate was so high (they had several fatalities) that they limited them to on road use only and a 50MPH speed limit. They surplused them as quite new vehicles and made the buyers sighn a disclaimer stating they were an “unsafe” vehicle. At first they demanded them be destroyed but softened that stand later. The other thing is they are so small inside that they are almost a 2 seater…..I always chuckle at the big Jeep club vehicles with boxes bolted all over them just to hold camping gear, tools and the like. Another problem you don’t have with a Scout. I have bought, sold and driven many Jeeps, always wanted to warm up to them but the CJ’s are just so limited they never lasted in my livery long. We are doing one in my shop right now for a friend of mine that works in the search and rescue group here in Idaho. He will tow it to the trail with his 4X4 pickup on a trailer.
Howard……..most Jeeps required extensive aftermarket modifications to get up to the mechanical level of a Scout. For years, Wranglers used junk French drivetrain components that when failed ( usually quickly) were replaced by the equipment the Scout came with stock. Today’s Jeeps are even worse……junk Fiat 500 components. There were a few built with AMC V8’s early on that had good transmissions and axles like the Scout but they were few and far between.
my ranking for “stubby” SUVs- 1) Jeep 2) Bronco 3)Land Rover
4) Blazer 5) Jimmy 6) Scout 7) RamCharger 8) Suzuki.
My read- Scout- mechanical strong- comfort =nil, exterior finish
poor, body assembly poor,poor. BUt if you like it, it’s yours.
New York is kinda long in all directions and my Scout cruised the highways just fine, and when in a snow storm, twice as nice! Nice to see all the Scout lovers out there!
Does anybody on here remember those Scouts with the plastic insert where the steel doors go. I guess they made it to resemble the Jeep CJ’s plastic and canvas removable doors. I loved those.
Those were the SSII’s.
Never rode in one but always have loved them since I sat in a few at showrooms when I was 7, 8, and 9 years old.
Some of the SSll’s were raced in the Baja 1000
New listing on eBay for a restored one. Beautiful! Crazy $!
Neal, I am in Weiser Idaho……..about 60 miles northwest of Boise.
Well Dave that’s a long way from Boston so I don’t think I’ll be seeing you anytime soon. I do like Idaho and spent a nice time in Cor D’alane one summer and have gone through driving and camping on my way on five different cross country trips to and from Oregon. Seen lots of great Scout action on eBay out of Idaho over the years.
Good luck with your projects.