PROJECT: Three ring Binder

[Ray-Dean]

I'm still new to the Scout world in a way, but in another it's a relapse. As I stated in another thread, my family had an 800B Comanche when I was younger, and it got stolen. This will be a recreation of that Scout, and at the same time what it would have been if it hadn't been stolen.

I'm calling it Three Ring Binder for several reasons.
First, that's my life. We have three son (9, 6, and 5) so our life is a three ring circus.
Second, that's how I pull off my builds. There is always something going on somewhere. My wife HATES new builds because she knows she won't be seeing me for weeks at a time. We almost split up over a couple of them because she thought I was seeing someone to be away from home (at the time I didn't have a shop at the house) that much.
Third, I am in the planning stages, so this build is in a three ring binder at the moment.

I figure it's better to clutter up my own thread with stupid questions rather that someone else's or continually starting new threads every time I have a question, problem, or concern. So that's why I'm starting a build thread before the actual build. Call it overly prepared, overly thought, or overly anal, but that's just how I roll.

Ok, enough about that. Down to the plan and my first few questions.

The over all plan is to get an 80-800 and cosmetically recreate a Comanche. Plain and simply because I loved our old one and I don't mind that it is not an "actual" 800B. I have absolutely no problem with metal work, custom or restoration. I've been hackin' up cars for a living and as a pastime for long enough to know that in the end, it's only metal. It doesn't care that it gets cut, hammered, welded.... And I've done it enough to learn that there is no way to please everyone, and the only ones I aim to please are me, the wife, and the boys.

Body work aside, and on to the mechanicals. I'm not a big fan of four-banger 4x4's so if the one I get isn't a V8 (or 8V in the IH world I guess), an engine swap will be in the works. With that come more Hp and thus the need for a more capable transmission.
I also do not care for short 4x4's. I have built several baja bugs that will go places a stock height 4x4 can't go and on a lot less build cost and better fuel mileage. IMO, if it can't go over an obstacle, it's a waist of moving parts which in the end is a waist of Hp. However, while I'm 6'1" my wife is 5'4" so there is such a thing as to tall for practical purposes.
More Hp and bigger tire also require better axles. So yup, an axle swap is in the plans as well.

So there is the basic overview of the project. As for the question "what will it be used for?" It will be a driver. I'm not into rock crawling, but I'd like to have a rig capable of doing it in the event that I get a wild hair. Where I live, the number of miles of unpaved roads FAR exceeds the miles of paved roads. So a capable mud/low traction vehicle is key. We also go camping during the summer. Not the kind of camping where you tow a "summer home" to a park, hook up the electric, and aim the satellite dish. We go off the map, tents and battery or soler powered everything. So again, off road capabilities are needed.

I've rambled on for a while now, and in case anyone is still reading this, I have a few questions.

In reading numerous threads on axle swaps, I have come to the conclusion that everyone has their own opinion on what axle is the best to swap in. I can understand that. I also found that the most common axles chosen are either Scout II, or Chevy. I assume these are chosen for their "plug and play" bolt in application. I'm a Ford guy, so I will probably use 8.8 axles. Is there a drawback that I'm overlooking? Why is the 8.8 not used more? Is it because of the spring perches being to wide for the Scout frame? Is it because the Ford springs are wider and longer eye to eye? Is it because the axle itself it wider (read as track width) and thus doesn't fit "under" the Scout?


I'm sure there will be numerous other questions along the way. As I'm sure that some may criticize me for starting a build thread with nothing to actually build. Thanks you for your time and any answers that you provide.

[BioTex]

Ray,
I'm glad you decided to create a build thread. I'm about 700 miles South of you, and definately off-grid.

If you havent already, check out my 800b build. I have another 800 waiting its turn, and it will be a crawler hack job. I'm basically just going to use up some parts I have lying around. I would like to install a diesel into it, but will see how things work out.

I sure hope you find a good tub so you don't have to spend all your time de-rusting.
I got lucky on mine.

Can't wait til you start...

[Ray-Dean]

I have read you build. I user to reside in Clear Lake, moved to Hitchcock, then came back to my side of the red river...

As it stands, there are three that I'm looking at. Two can't come up with a price they want, the other guy isn't totally sure he even wants to get rid of it. But I will have one within a month or so. I need to sell off a few other projects before I drag another one home. Figure the best way to start a build is with a happy wife. Plus, buy selling the nine vehicles I have up for grabs now, she will be pleased to let me get another, and they can fund the Scout. Now if I decide to sell off the '23 and '27 T-buckets too...... Then get rid of my '79 F-250, well be back down to a 5 vehicle family. Funny part is, my wife is a police officer, and I work for the county. Both provide us with "company" vehicles so we don't drive our own.

[guidolyons]

Originally Posted by Ray-Dean

get rid of my '79 F-250.

F-250 + Scout = win win.

There's your donor for drivetrain and axles

Can't wait to see you get started.

[Ray-Dean]

'79 F-250 = 4x2......


But I know where to get a boat load of '79 4x4 parts for little to nothing. I'm friends with a guy who used to opperate a Ford truck salvage. He closed down about 15 years ago, and now just trades stuff

[guidolyons]

4x2 is no bueno.

As far as axles go, a lot depends on what you can find. Ford D44/9", Fool size Chevy are a bit wide up front, Jeep Wagoneer axles are a good option (D44/D44 stay away from the later AMC Corp 20) A little wider than stock, but not too wide, and some years are already set up for spring over axle, and are easy to set up for high-steer crossover.

[1977 SS Deuce]

Looking forward to your build.

[Comanche Scott]

Rear 8.8 from a Ranger may be a good choice!
31 spline axles, track-lok and probably a 3.73 gearing. Which is an easy match to a Dana 44, to get it on the road quickly. Also there is a bolt on kit for the 8.8 to convert to disc brakes, relatively cheaply.

Good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of what you get.

[db1115]

Whats your plan on the V-8? Are you wanting to stay with IH or do you have a different powerplant in mind?

[Ray-Dean]

Thanks for the tips on the axles. Going wider is not an issue as far as I'm concerned, however there is a happy medium between stock and to wide that I'd like to find. I forgot to mention that 35's are probably the tallest tire that I will run. I can't foresee any reason to go bigger with the intended use I have in mind.

As for the V8 swap, my only experience with IH is a 304 and then diesel stuff from 4600, 4900, and newer paystar trucks (that's what is in the fleet I maintain at work). I like to stay with one brand, i.e. IH in an IH, Ford in a Ford, Chevy in someone else's jig.... I know Ford's. So if I don't go with a IH, that will probably be the route I take. 289, 302, 351, 4.6, 5.4... Maybe even a 4.2 V-6. I can get close to 500Hp out of one (engine dyno not at the wheels). But I live to challenge myself and try new things. Always willing to learn, so maybe IH. Or for clearence issues in a tight 80 engine bay, maybe a Buick Nail head... The possibilities are endless at this point.

The main focus at this point is getting one and figuring out what parts will work with what parts. The power plant is going to be easier for me to sort out than the running gear. Just not much experience with it in a 4x4. And it will be easier (with my experience) to make the tub fit the chassis and running gear than trying to live within the restraints of making the chassis fit the body. The chassis is doing the work, where as the tub is basically there for looks and because the DOT says no missing body parts allowed on street vehicles. But with my wife being a former county deputy and now an officer here in town, I have a decent chance of getting aeay with anything .