2wd74 scout II R hand drive convert to 4x4 diesel

[Dieselproject]

I am new to this forum, and new to scoutopia, I had heard of the legendary capabilities of scouts, and grew up with international farm equiptment of my farm, also I'm sick of seeing wranglers... jeeps are over-rated. I have a 74 right hand drive two wheel drive gas powered scout, I have big plans, lots of spare time and more money than sense (not married... no kids) I would like to convert it to four wheel drive, which I don't think will that hard in and of itself, but I also want to swap the motor with the nissan turbo diesel, I'm looking to put about a 4 inch suspention lift, and an atlas transfer case. leaf spring reversal lockers, possibly axel swap, disc brakes, all the fun goodies. I have a few questions, and would also like some suggestions from some of you who have scouts of your own. I am wondering what tranny would mate up well (stick preferably 5 speed) also will the top from an 80 fit on a 74? the clutch will have to be hydrolic since it's right hand drive... I think. I found an 1980 scout 2 diesel that needs the engine rebuilt, so I would have all the parts from that scout to play with. any advice, suggestions, potential snags, ideas etc, would be helpful, thanks for your time, I'll keep you all up to date with the progress.

[Eric VanBuren]

As far as the 4x4 conversion it is a bolt in you just need 4x4 trans and transfer, driveshafts and front axle. You can easilyconvert it to LHD the only parts you "need" is the drag link (as it is a different length), accel cable and brake lines but you may want a new dash assembly as they seem to have cut up LHD ones at the factory for the RHD. The holes in the frame and firewall are all there althought you will probally will have to remove some knockouts in the firewall. The steering box just swaps to the other side. But you probally want to go with PS which was not available on RHD. Also I don't think any one still makes the RHD drag link. As far as the diesel conversion I know nothing but If you switch to LHD you can use stock diesel clutch linkage. The only RHD scouts I have seen have been AT so I dont know how IH did it or mabey you had to spring for the AT with RHD.

[Dieselproject]

i kind of enjoy the novelty of the rhd, and would like to keep it. i wonder what issues I will run into with the 4wd axel? open to suggestions.

[Eric VanBuren]

The only issue is if you need a new draglink, from my understanding the RHD one is long out of production, so you would need to fab one with tierod ends and tubing which is available. The only differences between the 2WD and 4WD axle is 1. the center section is just a straight tube 2. Expansion plugs where the spindle seal goes 3. flat plates of steel instead of loking hubs or drive flanges. My 73 started life as a 258 3speed 2WD but now is sitting on a 72 345 4speed 4WD frame from a rolled truck. I did the frame swap because the motor mount brackets which are welded to the frame are different for 6 and 8 cyls, from my understanding the SD-33 mounts to the V8 brackets, but as I said before I am not a diesel guy. It may be easiest for you to do a frame swap also, just swap the steering box to the right frame rail on the frame the holes are there. If you want to run PS you should be able to find someplace to make and extra long high pressure hose that could reach the box on the right the return is just trans cooler line. You must also use the steering shaft from the PS box as it is shorter that the manual box which I found out when I went to install PS on mine. I did the body/frame swap on mine in my driveway with just a pair of tall jackstands, a ten foot 4x4 post, an old set of 10-15lt tires and wheels a pair of 235/75-15 on wheels a fullsize floor jack and a pair of buddies. I spent about 15 hours my self and about 2 hours each from my buddies.

[Knuckle_Dragger]

Why not sell the 2WD and put the $$$ towards the 4X4?

[Dieselproject]

I've spent a lot of time thinking that same thing, however, since I have two engines and two decent bodies, i'd like to build a turbo version, and also a n/a version. the turbo one a little less agressive with a simple roll bar instead of a cage, shorter lift more road oriented gear ratio regular seat belts, and more for everyday use, and the n/a as more of a hunting/off road rig (no turbo lag, better throttle control, easier to work on) more goodies (onboard welder, air compressor, a cage, harness system, all the suspention goodies, a dana 300 or atlas transfer case, etc. btw what's this I read about the marine version of the n/a engine, and would i be best served to build with some of those parts? i.e. marine pump plungers and a marine pump cam. also is there a way to have the turbo, but design a way to shut it off? probably a stupid question but I'm asking it anyway.

[Knuckle_Dragger]

The reason I ask is because there are poor suckers like me who are actually looking a 2WD Scout to own(and NOT convert it to 4X4, you read that correctly). They seem to be few and far between, but when you do hear of them someone is usually converting them.

[Dieselproject]

well... I haven't actually gotten my hands on the parts scouts yet, once I do I may be more inclined to part with my 2wd. if so, I will let you know.

[SCscoutguy]

Originally Posted by Knuckle_Dragger

The reason I ask is because there are poor suckers like me who are actually looking a 2WD Scout to own(and NOT convert it to 4X4, you read that correctly). They seem to be few and far between, but when you do hear of them someone is usually converting them.

I parted out both of the ones I had. I had no use for a 2wd Scout. I dont know why they even made them.

[Dieselproject]

the one I have was made specially for the postal service (hence the right hand steering wheel) it has a straight six gasser that I didn't find out untill after I had purchased it blows oil from the dip stick, I think the rings are shot, I looked at getting it rebuilt, and then discovered that they had a diesel version, and since I was raised with diesel, and have owned several diesel cars and pickups with great luck, I began looking into the option of converting it. I really like the rhd though, I get great looks when driving it. now why they made the postal scout 2wd, I can't tell you, because it doesn't make much sense to me either, you would think that with the postal services "Rain nor snow nor sleet" saying that they would want the 4wd. but I can tell you that it handles snow, and mud amazingly even with 2wd, but I can imagine that on steep grades, and certain conditions the 4wd option will be nice.