Help with 79 scout ii

[gillis51]

Hi all, I'm considering my first scout it's a 1979. What should I expect to pay for one in vg condition. 345 v8, 4x4, auto transmission, ps, pb, solid body, no rust, interior in good shape, under 80k miles.

Is there anything that stands out to makethis truck more or less desirable. Anything to look out for.

Thanks

[Dan916]

That sounds like a great rig and as far as '79 goes rust and electrical issues are about it to the best of my knowledge. If it really has only has 80K on it and is in very good shape it may be worth more than $4000. If it is all original with a good interior, paint, all emissions equipment, and an axle ratio and other options that are desirable it could be worth a lot more to some one.

Are you able to to have it checked out by a mechanic or at least give it a compression test before you buy it? Are you in a state that requires a smog test to register it and if so are all the proper emissions devices installed? Is the buyer or seller responsible to make it pass in your state? (Even if you don't need the smog stuff get whatever this owner has because it's valuable to those who need it.) Actually get all the spare parts and paper work from the owner that they have for it.

Electrical issues can just be corrosion build up at each connection over the years. Many times just cleaning the connections (especially on the big plug on the fire wall) will solve this. I like the Thermoquad carburetor on '79 345s but many people don't so it may be gone by now. The "gold box" electronic ignition also has it's fans and those who don't like it. Unless you need them for smog tests I'd look into replacing both with EFI and HEI upgrades in the future.

Rust is the big killer of Scouts so crawl underneath with a flashlight and an awl to check the under body and frame for body rot. Also check under the fenders up high and at the back of the door frame. The carpet or padding under the vinyl floor covering can trap moisture and start it from above as well. There are other places rust pops up like the drains in the front fenders for the cowl vent that get plugged up with leaves and dirt. If it's spent all 30 years in a garage at night then that's probably not a problem. Has it lived where the roads get salted in the winter? Was it used as a snow plow?

Hopefully you get a nice Scout at a good price and enjoy it for many years. If it is a really nice original one consider carefully before you decide to modify it. Original Scouts in very good condition are getting rare. If you want a modified one you may be able to sell this one to a collector for enough to buy one that is a little rougher and build up it up with the profit.

[Scout Driver]

$5000 is a reasonable figure if its as good as it sounds. Good luck .

Scott

[WRENCH MAN]

A '79 with NO rust??????, has to be a desert truck!

[mtnduc]

I paid $4200 for our 79 SII with minimal rust on the widnshield frame and a salvage title.
In the last 9 months I've put about another 6-7K into it but about 4K of that was non-essetnials: lift kit and tires, rollbar, stereo, dual exhaust.
I'm good with the deal I got.

[robrob]

In Texas I paid 2800 for this one...I did negotiate a while. 76k and other than replacing a carb did not have to do much to get it running. (When I say "I" it was with the help of some of the fine fellas in NTB). I did have to redo brakes to get it stopping but reckon that is to be expected. Replaced a distributor, alt and some belts and hoses...its not perfect by any stretch but I have no concerns driving it wherever I need to go.

You can take a look at what I got...when you start seeing pics of seat belts you are past all the "as is" pics...mine was also Rust Free...as you can see...that is relative...sure maybe by IH terms it was rust free...but I guess the hole pictured was technically post rust

All my smog stuff was removed.

http://picasaweb.google.com/travelro...bU4uCAsISuwQE#

I really dunno if I got a good deal or not...it is all very relative to where you are and what is available. I am happy with it and as long as you are happy with what you get then all is well.

[kingofthesofas]

I got my 79 for 1200 and it was 99% rust free. It had it's own set of issues though seeing as I've had to replace the engine and tranny so far

[gillis51]

Thanks for the great info. I's there any way to tell which options the truck came through with? I.e. Axles, tranny, interior, posi, radio, ac, etc

[Green-80]

Look inside the glove box lid and see if the line ticket is still there. There will be a list of the features it came with.

[Dan916]

Finding out what options are on it is easy if the Scout's line set ticket is in good shape. It's printed on the inside of the glove box door. If that's not legible you can order one from Super Scout Specialties if you give them the VIN number. Their contact information is in the Machine Shop forum elsewhere on this site.

Any vehicle is worth different amounts to different people. Scouts were only built for 20 years. Broncos, Blazers, and CJ-5s all sold more than Scouts. Many were totaled years ago when their value was lower. Others have gone to the crusher when a motor or transmission died or rust ate them. Finding one in very good condition now isn't easy. The later Scout IIs have the heaviest duty parts ever put in a small SUV. That said it is old technology and not every part is available new. Look in the classified section here for some prices too.