This 1979 International Harvester Scout II looks pretty clean. Unfortunately, the transmission needs to be rebuilt so it is not in running condition. It is located in New Braunfels, Texas just south of Austin in IH-35. This 1979 International Harvester Scout II is listed here on Facebook Marketplace for an asking price of $6,000 which is a 25% drop from its initial price. The Scout II is said to have 70,000 miles and be equipped with a 304 cubic inch V8 engine. This Scout has been listed for over a year.
Early Scouts like the Scout 80s (produced from 1960-1965) were equipped with a 152 cubic inch inline four-cylinder engine rated from the factory at 93 gross horsepower. This was also the base engine for the later Scout 800 (produced from 1966-1968) but it could also be ordered with a turbocharger. Other engines available over the years in the Scout included the 196 cubic inch inline 4-cylinder was introduced in 1966, a 232 cubic inch six cylinder, a 304 cubic inch V8 engine (like this one), a 345 cubic inch V8 engine and a 392 cubic inch V8 engine. In the mid 1970s, a Nissan SD33 198 cubic inch diesel inline 6 could be ordered in a Scout II (1976-1979).
The interior sports high back bucket seats but looks fairly worn and dirty. This 1979 International Harvester Scout II has some rust in the cowl area between the windshield and hood. International Scout produced over 500,000 units over its 30 year run from 1960 to 1980. There is no mention in the ad about if a top comes with this Scout. The Scout rides on aftermarket wheels and tires which are beefy and look good. The Scout is also missing its doors.
International Scouts are rust prone. The seller does not address this issue with pics of the undercarriage or any additional explanation. It is probably best to look at this nonrunning example in person. The 4WD unit is another issue that is not fully addressed in the ad and could be expensive to repair or replace.
This one actually looks pretty good. Contrary to popular belief, these weren’t any more susceptible to rust than anything else in that time period. At least out west in the Chinook Belt. My daughter lives smack-dab in the middle of WI where they spray that choride/brime/battery acid mixture on the roads and that rusts anything that isn’t made of pure brass.
Anyways, this truck, it might have some problems in the upper cowl but there are patches available. I don’t think this one came with doors; it was part of an off-road-sport package that deleted such necessities as doors and a top. Personally, if I was to take on a project like this I would also be looking for a Scout II donor vehicle that could supply doors and a top.
The 304 engine does everything that truck needs. I would probably change out the carb for a Holley 350 or 500 2bbl that would definitely promote a better-running engine. I would also want to source out an older Delco distributor and install a Pertronics kit, or even a conversion to a Delco HEI, which IMHO, is the best ignition system ever made.
Someone’s already changed the radiator to an aftermarket aluminum type that will do the job, albeit no better than the original.
Overall, parts, while not like hunting down pieces for a Chevy Blazer or a Ford Bronco, aren’t all that bad to come by. The place I work for stocks a fair bit of pieces for International trucks, Scouts, etc. Lots of enthusiasts out there as well. I wouldn’t be scared of this as long as the price is right…
The SS Scouts had different graphics due to no doors and this one also has striker plates so unfortunately not the rare SS II
Thought this one is a Selective Edition, which I believe were a special deal for IH employees but the graphic isn’t right. Might be one of the CVI jobs with the SSII bits. The steel repair in the bed looks fairly substantial and well done…without my readers. Wonder if the doors and top come with it. Probably should’ve read the ad.
Could be a nice Scout again with the right work and attention to the details. Wish I’d held on to one of mine.