1973 scout ii ....and so it begins....

[nandomart]

Hello to all...purchased my first scout about 3weeks ago...its a 1973 scout ii.
Paid 500 for it.... I plan on doing a frame off (first time for this kind of project...actually tried something of the sorts with a 73 and 77 beetle i have laying in my yard but didnt get no where other than disassembly when I caught wind of this bad boy....needless to say beetles now go to go). I will post more pictures when I can...I have been reading through alot of the resto threads and I have been inspired. Hopefully I am not way over my head on this one. This post was meant as an introduction and will be used as my resto thread once it gets started. If any of you have any advise on how to proceed I am all ears...there is a plethora of experience in this forum and I plan to leech as much as a I can.....the attached pictures are of the TURD where I bought it.....

[Hueste]

Welcome

where in Houston are you located? there are a bunch of people on the Gulf Coast Binders forum in the Club Forums on this site. If you have any questions..... I probably can't answer them..... but I'm sure someone on here can.

-Matt-

[Fred Demmon]

Welcome to the madness.

Send me your email and I will add you to the list.

[Alex]

Don't want to throw water on your fire but....

A frame off takes two years and about 9 to $12,000.00 to do.

And at least a two bay garage for the duration.

If you're ready, please keep us informed with pics and text. Good luck

[phall925]

Great to hear that you gave up the Beatles for something that will actually do something cool, like a Binder. I can tell you this as a new guy, you will become helplessly addicted to this project. Make sure you have the blessing of your wife and friends before you start because they will take a backseat to you new love.

I have just begun my frame off so we will be learning side by side.

I have found this one thing so far: make sure you decide how deep you want to go before you start the project and go no further. A small example. The doors were off so I took them home. Since it will be a month or two before the body goes to paint I thought I would "work" on the regulators etc. Originally I thought some WD40 and finesse would get the job done. Well I was wrong I now have the doors completely apart regs and all going to completely rebuild all the internal parts (sandblast, rust prevent, lube etc). I even now think that the window frames need to be re chromed.


Anyways enough Tecate' rambling, everything on these trucks that you think will take you a small amount to fix will reach up and bite you in the arse. Not to discourage you but everyone told me make your budget then double it.

Final thought, Glad you are here and we want you to succeed and there are alot of people here that know what they are talking about. Listen, Learn and then execute.

Later,
P

PS for any GCB members following my other posts....is he now the newest member therefore has to buy the beer?

[Fred Demmon]

Originally Posted by phall925

Great to hear that you gave up the Beatles for something that will actually do something cool, like a Binder. I can tell you this as a new guy, you will become helplessly addicted to this project. Make sure you have the blessing of your wife and friends before you start because they will take a backseat to you new love.

I have just begun my frame off so we will be learning side by side.

I have found this one thing so far: make sure you decide how deep you want to go before you start the project and go no further. A small example. The doors were off so I took them home. Since it will be a month or two before the body goes to paint I thought I would "work" on the regulators etc. Originally I thought some WD40 and finesse would get the job done. Well I was wrong I now have the doors completely apart regs and all going to completely rebuild all the internal parts (sandblast, rust prevent, lube etc). I even now think that the window frames need to be re chromed.


Anyways enough Tecate' rambling, everything on these trucks that you think will take you a small amount to fix will reach up and bite you in the arse. Not to discourage you but everyone told me make your budget then double it.

Final thought, Glad you are here and we want you to succeed and there are alot of people here that know what they are talking about. Listen, Learn and then execute.

Later,
P

PS for any GCB members following my other posts....is he now the newest member therefore has to buy the beer?

He has not sent me an email yet so you are still on the hook LOL

[Paul Morgan]

Keep a simple rule as you start working on your truck
Don't do any "mod" that you can't finish in one (1) weekend
Don't start something else until you finish the last thing
Don't try to go for "perfect" unless you have plenty of time and money
Complete one system at a time, ex. Brakes, Engine, Suspension, Carburetion
It's alot more fun to be able to drive your truck during the build, the have it sit there inactive the whole time
You don't have to do frameoff to do a good build
Search, search, search
Read, Read, Read
I've seen plenty of 500 dollar Scouts with 5,000 bucks invested in them, that still don't see any road time

[Doc Stewart]

The opening photo on this site is my $600 Scout 80. I have about $1500 in it now in 3 years and I'll have another $2000 in it when I get it where i want it. It is in regular use around the ranch where I keep it and I haul it off to Death Valley and other wild places occasionally. It looks a little battered and rusty but that gives it panache.

My rule is no project that ties it up more than two weekends.

I love to see the frame-off results at our shows but I lack the patience to do one. Gotta drive 'em.

[Albuq. Henry]

Welcome

I gotta agree most with what Paul and Doc said...I wanna drive!! I would say get the engine running good, make it safe to drive, brakes, steeing, suspension then drive it a bit....For myself budget was/is the biggest slow down. I am currently on my first project. Got it around christmass and have been driving it daily to work for two months now. I have gone back to stock pretty much. I could have tried axle swaps and lifts but that is money I dont have/want to spend. (I dont know what you want to spend) I am having quite the time driving my Primered, bikini toped, 152, dana 27'd, 1/2 worn tires, scout. Have fun- Henry

[robrob]

That is a nice looking scout....I would have never thought of using a dog's butt to keep the truck from rolling backwards but I like the idea...I have a dog perfect for the job!...

Keep us posted!