Geoff's Scout Version 3.0

[Geoff G]

Well guys... so it begins. After version 1.0 (the original) I bought my 78 Scout II in Santa Rosa California. A bit rusty and half a motor missing. So version 2.0 took place in a tiny garage in San Francisco in 2001-2002. Not much money - but got her back on the road. I re-built the engine, put on some new quarters and did a spring lift.... not much to say there - but it was what I could afford. Added a few goodies like Holley TBI, and a fabbed roll cage that I traded some web design for.

Moved back to Detroit - and of course drove the scout with a trailer full of stuff behind with no problems for the 2700 mile treck. Drove it in Detroit almost daily - hauling, stump puling.... you know.

And thus began version 3.0 - while driving on the fwy, transfer case locked at 50 miles an hour. poop. Well, since I have a warn full float rear, I unlocked the rear hubs, locked in the fronts - and limped home.

A few phone calls later - and I had a dana 300 on the way from Sean at anything scout.



This all got me thinking - now I have more room - and more $$$ - so what would I REALLY like to do with my beloved green monster? SOA, RS, custom everything?

Well - that was 3 years ago - and after ordering some stuff from Damian at D&C - and all of the other vendors in the scout world.... I'm finally doing it. Kinda forced to in a way since I move back to Cali, and have the house in Detroit up for sale - I figure while I have the room... might as well get her done and back to the west coast. So I have flown out a couple of times to work on it.... but this week has been the big one. Complete disassembly - body off. Here are a few things in the works.

- SOA and Reverse Shackle from D&C - kinda there, just need finish welding.
- Parts Mike Hi-Steer kit (by the way, freaking awesome parts in this kit)
- New wheels / Tires
- Adding some tubes / strength to roll cage
- Integrated seat bases, with nice leather power seats from caddy CTS.
- Soda Blasting body and rust repair
- Dual batteries
- Onboard Air
- Bilstein 7100 shocks
- Weld in fuel sump
- New lines (mostly with AN fittings and Earls tubing)
- And more!

pics of the beginning of version 3.0

Rolled out with SOA and RS mocked up..



And another view:



and the "Hover Scout" effect:

[235frog]

Looks like you will have some busy days ahead. The shackle angles look a little off. especially the first picture you posted. The rear shackle angle.

[lev1a]

Originally Posted by 235frog

Looks like you will have some busy days ahead. The shackle angles look a little off. especially the first picture you posted. The rear shackle angle.

X2. With the weight of the rig on it your shackles should be sitting at about that angle, but the other direction. You are going to invert the shackle first bump with them as they are.

[Geoff G]

Thanks for the feedback - You guys mean on the front axle, rear shackle right? I realized that - luckily they were just tacked in.

Does anyone know the angle they should sit at unloaded (no weight)? Or does anyone have a D&C RS kit with 4" lift springs that can give me a measurement?

Damian?

Kind of a busy real work week - but have the motor and trans out now, cleaning up the frame, fixing body rust on the rockers, cutting stuff off that's not needed. Tomorrow is more of that and hopefully get to break out the Mig and do some fab work.... stay tuned.

I'll post more pics soon.

[235frog]

Both sets of shackles need to be looked at. I was referring to your rear shackles, but your front shackle with the RS need to fixed as well.

[Paul Morgan]

I think you should look into moving the rear tires back an inch
You can buy spring mounts that have 3 different holes to do this

[Geoff G]

Paul - thanks for the info.... I actually just bought those perches from sean at anything scout....

A few things on the rear shackle angle - The truck has been on Jackstands for 2 years (no weight on the springs) and there is no tailgate, gas tank, or anything back there.

So - I think that once the springs settle, and everything is back in - all will be fine in the rear.

But going to PM damian to get the measurment for the front perch location.

[Geoff G]

Okay - some new pics before I head back to Cali.... not as much done this week as I wanted - but better done right than just done.

Frame is completely clean, wire wheeled and stripped of all brackets that were not needed - I ate lunch off it it was so clean.

New bars for seat hanging are in - still have a bunch of fab here.
outer rocker cancer all cut out - ready to weld new ones in after some eastwood rust converter hits the inners.

Engine mostly apart (leaving the shortblock together) - cleaned and bagged - will get a fresh coat of paint and some gaskets next trip.

Tons of parts came from anything scout, and summit racing.

All in all not a bad week of work (considering I was at my computer for 3/4 of it dealing with "real" work.

tons of fun with grinder, plasma, cutting wheels....

Cancer patrol:


Chemo done:


Tucked in till next time - lowrider style:

[Geoff G]

Headed back to Detroit to work on the scout this weekend - and have 10 days with hopefully less "real" work this time... Here's my plans for the time there:

1. Fill all holes in firewall / smooth
2. Finish seat base tubing work
- Installing some really nice Caddilac CTS leather seats I picked up.
3. Re-fabricate trans tunnel
- cut it out last time, for the seat setup... I'm 6'6" - so I wanted the seats LOW....
4. Sanding... Sanding... and more sanding
5. Welding, welding and more welding
- Finish SOA and Revese Shackle stuff
- Gusset EVERYTHING
- New trans crossmember fabbed
- "Bam Bar" for axle wrap issues
- Bunch of Ruff Stuff things to weld on - shock towers, spring hangers.
6. Paint / primer for body and frame
7. Shake and shoot bedliner inside and underneath.
8. Stainless exhaust
9. Engine clean / paint, re-assemble

Perhaps I'll even get to do some assembly

I think I'll save brakes and electric for next time - More to come and I'll take lots of pics and update as much as I can....

[Geoff G]

Sorry I've been quiet guys - been busy!

I'm updating to post some pics I dug up of the scout as I got it years ago - and of the "version 2.0 Build"

You can check out those pics here

I've also finally grabbed pics from my last trip (9/30) which includes some pics of the build of my rotisserie, seat bases and trans tunnel fab. I also did some old school lead work on the body where the new rockers were welded in.

Pics here

The rotisserie was totally worth it - Got some plans from this guy - totally worth it - very detailed and easy... Bought some steel, and welded it up! Special thanks to my buddy drew for the help!

I also fabbed up the seat bases (I'll post pics of the seats in it next time) and closed in the trans tunnel around them. Did some more work on the frame and some body work using lead solder (actually lead free - but same idea.)

We got all off the undercoat off as well underneath - 2 gallons of jasco, and spray with hot water - then wire wheeled with a 4" grinder and knotted wheel (2 wheels down to nubs!) and the underneath is almost ready for some 2 part epoxy primer and bedliner.


Heading back out to Detroit next week to get some more done - Bodywork, primer, mock-up and panel alignment.... etc....

Wish me luck