I found a '74 Scout II for sale. It is painted a flat dark green (almost black) but the door jams and stuff are still the original color. It has the I6 motor, and 3-speed manual trans. It does not have power steering or A/C. It has 84,000 miles and the guy wants $2,900 for it. The body is pretty solid, the only major thing I could find is the fact that the rear hatch/gate is not flush with the rest of the body. I read that they made front disk brakes standard during the '74 model year, and yes this Scout has them. I'm 15, and this could end up being my first car (or I might get a 2001 XJ from my dad). I'm very mechanically capable, and this thing is about as basic as it gets. I'll be able to do most/all of the work. The things that worry me are:

1. I noticed that the transfer case had a leak; I touched where it was coming from and got fresh fluid on my hand. I think I remember the leak being around what seemed to be a drain plug, but I would have to look again to confirm that.

2. The engine (I6) had a open hole in the back of the valve cover. I'm thinking debris could have gotten in there.

3. I REALLY don't want a rig that is dog slow. I'm not expecting it to turn out a 14 sec. 1/4 mile, but I don't want to stuff the pedal to get up speed from every stop light. And I also don't want a top speed of 65mph. 75 I think I could deal with.

4. The oil in the engine was basically black. This makes me question the maintnence intervals in the past, and also the fluid in the tranny, transfer case, and front/rear ends.

5. The manual steering. I can deal with a little resistance, but if I have to put my body weight into the steering wheel when I'm on the trail riding on 33's I'll probably get fed up with that fairly quickly.

6. The tranny. Is the 3-speed manual all that bad? Or am I making it out to be worse than it is.

7. I don't mind restoring it a little bit, but I also want to spend some of my money on a lift, tires/rims, stereo ect. I don't want to be spending alot of money on replacing critical parts that are breaking.



Anyways I hope that you all can respond to these concerns of mine. Thanks.

might try binderplanet.com

Yuck. You have described quite possibly the least desirable '75 Scout you could have ordered.

I'd offer $300 or so.

For $2900, you can have a Scout that runs and drives perfectly. Pass on that pile.

What is your location? I'll bet you're behind your PC :e-rolleyes:

Louisville, Ky. Yeah it's nothing fancy haha.

Yep, $2900 is way too much for what you described. You can get A LOT of truck for 3 Gs. I'd keep looking.
Like Brandon said, try www.binderplanet.com for your stock scout ?s. Oh, and check out the IH garage sale, there's a couple nice SIIs in there.

Louisville, Ky. Yeah it's nothing fancy haha.

There was a running and driving Scout II in Clarksville for $3200. Ran and drove perfect with little rust. Been sitting for almost 15 years in his garage. I don't know if it's been sold, but it disappeared from the car lot where it was on consignment. I have the owners numba....somewhere

I wanted it, but my ADD didn't kick in that week.

That somewhat sounds like the one I've mentioned. I live in Georgetown and this one was over in Lanesville. Whats the most you all would pay for a scout like I described?

Edit: My dad called the guy, and apperently it's a 2 owner vehicle. He said everything works fine and there is a pretty expensive stereo system in it.

The 258 isn't that bad of a motor , but I like scouts cause of the IH mills. If I wanted a 258 I would buy a jeep.:flipoff2: Manual steering SUCKS ass with stock tires X 1000 on a trail with 33's. The t-90 is also a piec IMHO. Non syncronized first is a bitch. I got a buddy in Lebanon TN that I always buy my IH's from. If you decide to go the IH route PM me and I will hook you up with him. He is a certified light line dealer and one hell of a mech. Oh yeah 2900 is way to high. I got my first scout that was rusted out , but ran and drove great for about 500 bucks

That somewhat sounds like the one I've mentioned. I live in Georgetown and this one was over in Lanesville. Whats the most you all would pay for a scout like I described?

Edit: My dad called the guy, and apperently it's a 2 owner vehicle. He said everything works fine and there is a pretty expensive stereo system in it.

The one you mentions is a pile of shit. This was a good restorable Scout. Everything from Lanesville is junk :flipoff2:

I agree with the other guys. You can do better. Be very patient and save your money. Also know what you want/need. I'm betting this is going be your daily driver and not a dedicated crawler so find something with a decent body. Not a rust bucket. A engine change is a weekend job. Repairing a rust bucket takes months. Next time post pics.

This seems to be a first, you guys were damn nice to this guy. At least we keep getting new blood into the world of Scouts. As for finding your DD rig, keep looking to find one that's dependable. Currently I have the 258 I6 and its not that bad of a motor, I cruise down the highway at 70mph and taking off from stoplights is fun...the motor is all torque.

This seems to be a first, you guys were damn nice to this guy. At least we keep getting new blood into the world of Scouts. As for finding your DD rig, keep looking to find one that's dependable. Currently I have the 258 I6 and its not that bad of a motor, I cruise down the highway at 70mph and taking off from stoplights is fun...the motor is all torque.

He did his homework, posted with plenty of info, and just wasn't an asshat from the get-go. He earned it........sort of.:flipoff2:

That price is not that bad today if it has no rust. Look under the floormats and front body mounts area. Also under rear mat behind wheel well.

<---- Might give a shit.... :flipoff2:

He did his homework, posted with plenty of info, and just wasn't an asshat from the get-go. He earned it........sort of.:flipoff2:

Very true, he did do his homework. Now since that we've all been nice from the get go, it's open season from here on out. Right? :flipoff2:

Remember, a scout is mostly custom work. If I had a early Blazer, I would be much further along with my build :homer:

The one you mentions is a pile of shit. This was a good restorable Scout. Everything from Lanesville is junk :flipoff2:
haha So have you seen the one I was talking about?






The Scout is not a rust bucket. The body seems to be very solid, no visible rust unless you really look for it, and even then it's not too bad. I looked under the floor mats and the floor boards seemed solid also. I did not think to look at the front body mounts however. I think if it's still there next monday we'll go take it for a test drive and hopefully I'll remember to get pics. Thanks for the help!

haha So have you seen the one I was talking about?



The Scout is not a rust bucket. The body seems to be very solid, no visible rust unless you really look for it, and even then it's not too bad. I looked under the floor mats and the floor boards seemed solid also. I did not think to look at the front body mounts however. I think if it's still there next monday we'll go take it for a test drive and hopefully I'll remember to get pics. Thanks for the help!

You're better off with the XJ from your Dad...seriously. It'll cost you less in the long run. :flipoff2:

Then you can look cool while you cruise the G-Town drive-in :laughing:

haha So have you seen the one I was talking about?


The Scout is not a rust bucket. The body seems to be very solid, no visible rust unless you really look for it, and even then it's not too bad. I looked under the floor mats and the floor boards seemed solid also. I did not think to look at the front body mounts however. I think if it's still there next monday we'll go take it for a test drive and hopefully I'll remember to get pics. Thanks for the help!

Unless you really look for it? Then be ready for 3X more rust that you can't see.

My $.02 are hat good solid bodied Scouts are getting harder and harder to find, and even though it has the 6 cyl and manual steering, as DD it might be worth it. For a dedicated trail rig that is going to cet the shit beat out of it, 3k is way too much.