Opinion on International Harvester Scouts?

oddball7465

My uncle had one before he passed away. I was thinking of seeing if his widow still had it, and if so, making an offer on it. I don't remember much, but I believe it was a Scout 800A. Had some rust, and was a little rough. I don't remember how mechanically sound it was either. I was thinking of offer $1,000 for it. I want it as a 4x4 toy.

I'm curious on your opinions on them though, and if there is anything I should know about them.

rcrxmike_2

bodies were horrible.... frames rocked..... and depending on engine, tons of power

HandLoad

I wish I had a Cherry One!

47studebaker

rust buckets that run forever !

MMOMEQ-55

They came out with a diesel model for a short period of time. I test drove one and was going to buy it but the rust thing made me back away from it. They will run forever or until the body falls off from rust.

He Dog

They were the finest and most durable 4x4 of their time. That was quite awhile ago.

Alan Rushing

I'd not spend a dollar to attempt to make one less rusty than it is ... and will be.

barto

I had a '62 four cyl., I believe it was.
Sold it & put a 250 horse 283 Chev in an old Jeep & doubled my gas mileage.
Get the point?
[V]barto[V]

MIKE WISKEY

A FRIEND HAD ONE OF THE DEISL ENGINED ONES (190 C.I.!). YOU COULDN'T KILL IT AND IT RAN FOREVER ON 5 GAL.. THE ENGINE HAD A GOVENER SO YOU COULDN'T OVER REV. YOU JUST KEPT THE PEDDAL TO THE FLOOR, IF YOU WERE LOOSING R.P.M. YOU DOWN SHIFTED AND IF YOU GAINED R.P.M.S YOU UP SHIFTED.

LesWVa

Near bullet proof drive lines. If IH had made the bodies more rust retardant they would have had a great machine.

River Rat

The posters are confusing the Scout I (1960s) and Scout II (1970s). The former was a 4 cyl jeep-like thing, and pretty cool. The latter was larger and had more power, but body rust was a real problem. IH was giving away free fender skins for a while.

By the 1960s the WWII surplus jeeps were all wearing out. Ford, Chevy, and IH made far more military jeeps than Willys, so had the technology and know-how. That's why the early Broncos, Blazers, and Scouts seemed so similar -- and so jeeplike. Later, they evolved into something bigger and more distinctive.

I had a '78 Scout II for about 12 years. Dang, it was a good outfit. Had a 305 v-8 I think. I loved the thing, but gave it to my stepson and he trashed it -- a hard thing to do.

Oddball, I believe you're describing a Scout I. If I were you I'd see if your uncle's widow still has it. One of those restored would be an awesome hill-climber.

texshooter

I drove a 1976 Scout2 for several years. 345V8, automatic transmission, with a/c.

Wish I had it back. It was like driving a tank.
If they make a new version, I will surely consider it.

Mobuck

Dad bought a new one in 1965 that was an absolute piece of crap. Four cyl & 3 speed I think. Terrible gas mileage, constant clutch problems, started using oil at maybe 50K. Finally had a cousin overhaul it and traded it off. Worst vehicle I can remember.

barto

Scout 11, sometimes called Scout Also.
[:D]barto[:D]

nunn

Dad had one of the older Scouts. I liked the transfer case setup in it. It only had a 4 cylinder engine, but it was plenty powerful. It also rattled a lot, rode rough, and got dismal fuel mileage.

laxcoach

Had three of them--all Scout 2's and all with 345's. Rust was the only thing that did them in. The 345 engine was used in school buses, and the bus shop mechanics all said they were bulletproof--- good for 200K miles easy.

dcs shooters

I had a '76 Scout II with the 305 V8, auto trans.
Never had a problem with in the six years I had it.