New member and new '79 Scout

[Dennis Bernth]

Yeah, the output on the transfer case should move with it in gear even with the driveshaft out. Sounds like somebody got into a major league 'stuck' and decided that they could get it out no matter what, taking at least the rear end and tranny with them. The transfer cases are pretty tough, but I guess you could destroy one of them too if you tried hard enough.

The parts truck sounds like the way to go for you with a couple of 'BUT'S'. Make sure you check the gear ratio on the parts truck vs. your Scout to make sure they match- if they don't, you'll either have to swap both axles out or swap the front ring and pinion. Swapping both axles is easy, but then you get into another can of worms- what condition are all the 'wear' parts in on the donor axle compared to the one you have now? If you have to do ball joints, axle shaft joints, etc on the donor, but all of your current stuff is good, that's a point to consider. Hopefully the donor has the same axle ratios as yours and it'll all be good. Seems like 3.07 was the most popular ratio in 79 other than in diesel Scouts. There are fair odds that the 77 with the 304 will have 3.54 gears, IMO that is a better all around ratio than 3.07, so it might be worth even additional work if you have to swap both axles. Now that I reread your original post, with a 79 and 345, I'd almost bet that if they weren't changed or factory ordered with something else, your current gears will be 3.07's, seems like with a 345 that was the 'default' gearset.

You can find Triple Diamond Four Wheelers in the 'clubs' section on this website- just scroll down from the main Tech board, there is a section for local/regional clubs, and they're one of the clubs on there. They are pretty active too, you might need the parts rig if you hook up with them and do much wheeling at Pinelands!

[Lynol]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcomes and suggestions! I really can't wait to get this Scout going so I can drive it. Summertime with the roof off is going to be awesome. Anyway, I looked at that parts '77 Scout today and almost bought it; in fact it was pretty much a done deal until all of the sudden I realized that it had no t-case shifter stick, -it was a single speed TC-143! D'OH! But the rear tailgate and liftgate were mint (but the rest of the top was rusted out like swiss cheese; total opposite of my top) so I bought the seats, tailgate and liftgate from him. The frame of the Scout was rusted pretty badly, otherwise I would have just bought it and fixed it up. So the search continues. I just talked to a guy in NY who has what he says is a '79 w/ a 304 for parts (although it has an '80 grille and lights), and it might actually be worth just fixing it up and using my current one for parts...

@ Dennis Bernth: Thanks for the info, yes mine does have 3.07's, and I'm hoping maybe i will find another 3.07 Scout so I don't have to swap out gears/axles in the front. Although like you say 3.54's would be pretty nice.

@ Thomas: Thanks for the helpful advice, the FSM's are on my list for sure. And yes, I think I do have IH red blood, going back to when I was like 7 me and my friends used to play pretend driving in an abandoned late 40's IH pickup my neighbor had. And I've always thought the Scouts were cool, I used to see the II's everywhere when I was little in the winter with plows.

[TCRIMSONK]

Lynol,

Do you mind posting the contact info for the guy parting out the '77? I need a radiator, distributor (not sure if a 304 distributor will fit a 345) and a small spread bore carb.

Also, the offer still stands for the trans and TC that I have in Maryland. In fact, I'd trade them to you , plus some gas money, for the parts I need from the '77, if you decided to make the drive.

One more option, if you want, you could buy the parts scout for the trans, and trade me the parts, and I could ship you the transfer case.

Otherwise, good luck. Parts Scouts aren't too hard to come by.

[Lynol]

Originally Posted by TCRIMSONK

Lynol,

Do you mind posting the contact info for the guy parting out the '77? I need a radiator, distributor (not sure if a 304 distributor will fit a 345) and a small spread bore carb.

Also, the offer still stands for the trans and TC that I have in Maryland. In fact, I'd trade them to you , plus some gas money, for the parts I need from the '77, if you decided to make the drive.

One more option, if you want, you could buy the parts scout for the trans, and trade me the parts, and I could ship you the transfer case.

Otherwise, good luck. Parts Scouts aren't too hard to come by.

I found the guy w/ the '77 Scout on craigslist, here's the post: http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/pts/2242615137.html

I just went there today and bought the tailgate, front seats and liftgate. He said some other guy was coming down later to look at and buy some more parts off it, and he was pulling some small parts off it himself, then I think he's going to scrap it. He's leaving for vacation Sunday some time, so he may not get back to you right away. I don't know how good the rad is seeing as it's got a 2001 inspection sticker, it's been off the road for a loooong time. Oh, and I may just buy that trans and t-case from you if this next Scout I'm going to look at this week doesn't pan out.