Project Smokey Bear

[ihscoutlover]

Well I have recently had a slight halt in most vehicle repairs/works, since a 100+Year Old Oak tree has decided to die, and well we got to cut it out of there before I can proceed. I have a finalized line on a donor for the replacement body that will basically become a drivetrain/electrical swap. All in all its starting to look up a little. I am still awaiting the Traveler's arrival to the yard, and since all the other IH "children" couldn't play nice, we had to segregate/relocate them around the yard. Pics of that are forthcoming. Its snowing right now, so I am hoping to get some pictures in the next few hours.

Jeff

[ihscoutlover]

Red Oak tree is gone(thank you Mark's Tree Service--our neighbor), and now we can get some of the "kids" back into their respectable places. I have the 1210 Travelette to get into shape for towing our new home for our IH shows, our '83 Holiday Rambler 35' travel trailer. Lots of storage, lots of new stuff, and for the price we paid, you'd have thought we stole it. Melissa isn't quite fond of driving that long of a trailer, but with time and practice she'll be an ace. It came with the sway control, and load leveling system/setup. My FIL towed it behind his 89 3/4 ton Suburban, and he said it towed great, but you could definately feel the wind pushing on it for the 40 mile trip to our storage facility. So now this beast is going to get some cleaning and should be ready here in a few weeks for preparing to be de-winterized. I am still learning some trailer lingo as well as get some of my other questions asked, and will likely have a post in the towing/trailer area here on BP. Looks to be the first couple of weeks of April I should have both the trucks here so I can get started on the swap, and now it looks like its original purpose is being changed, thanks no less to work. More on that later. More pictures are also forthcoming, I am having issues locating my camera so I can dump the memory card and publish for those photographically challenged individuals.

Jeff

[Gib]

Sweeeet!

[ihscoutlover]

Ok so this thread is due for an update. On Saturday March 31, our latest acquisition arrived at the Lewis Family IH Farm, see attached images:

[ihscoutlover]

Ok now that my Ipod cannot tell sideways from upright, and that you all now don't have that left crook in your neck, here is the lowdown on this rig:

1978 Scout Terra
Unknown V8 engine(I believe it to be a 345, but I cannot tell from the engine tag, as it doesn't have any identification on it.
727TF
Dana 20
Dana 44's F & R

As you can tell its missing some front sheet metal. This truck was graciously trailered here by Dennis Bernth and his wife. They were making a trip to see their son in Carbondale, IL, and it the process, decided to drag...er...tow another Scout home for DD usage: http://www.binderplanet.com/forums/s...d.php?t=109585

Anyways, in the process he and I discussed getting me this truck to basically do a body transplant, as the one on Smokey is well you all have seen the pictures above, well done for. This one has some rust, but actually tons less than any Scout I have ever purchased in this area of the country. The rockers and a few parts of floor need redone, but the rest of the body is pretty darn decent.

Well Melissa helped Dennis unload it in the driveway, where it sat for 2-3 days. We used Melissa's Traveler to "turn it around", and actually we ended up finding out how come it didn't want to turn too much. The rag joint at the gearbox was, and well is now about 25% still attached. We got it turned around, and after we shared some colorful metaphors, it was turned around 180* from when it was delivered. Then ol Pepe the lawn tractor pulled it backwards to where the above post pictures were taken from.

I have discovered a couple of things upon a closer inspection.

The front DS of the crossmember and frame are bent in an upwards and rearwards position. The truck apparently took a hit on the DS, hence the front clip, DS inner and outer fender and hood are missing. Everything else appears to be there, and what I may actually do, is put the engine in the other Traveler into this one, to give it some mobile capability for the time being. I am still awaiting the arrival of the diesel to see just how I am going to pull drivetrains and make the swaps so that it can be powered up and moved around under its own power. I am likely going to use the frame from the other Traveler, since that one's frame I believe is still in non-bent shape. All other parts that are salvageable will be, as that Scout is also body challenged. The plans are to get this body prepped for a swap possibly onto the other frame, and then make it ready for the diesel engine, tranny and transfer case to all be dropped into it. The '78 Frame should be usable enough to put the spare body in the carport onto it, so that I can make that one more moveable to work on and get painted. More to come.

Jeff