Put on your thinking caps kids... I have a family now and bigger ideas of what I want in a rig. I will be building a new scout in the distant future and want to do it right the first time(if thats even possible). Of course there is a budget and some restraints on what I can do. So what rig out there would make the best donor for an 80/800 build?

Meaning...what rig comes with a motor/tranny/Tcase thats easily swaps, easily doubled, and is easily found? Easily swapable wiring harness? easy to find parts? All in 1 package?

87 K30? FI 454/T400/205/60f/14br
93 blazer vortec 350/700r4/241
93 S-10 blazer 4.3/700r4/231
????????

I really like what Scout Broker did with his scout. Used up every ounce of S-10 blazer he could. 4.3/700r4/231/ wiring harness, fuel tank, column, dash. Maybe he'll chime in with pro's/con's of his swap.

I'm not partial to chevys or any manufacturer really. Its just thats where my mind goes when I think of over-all swapability.

The rig I'm thinking of building is a 4 seater full bodied scout 80/800. Decent power, decent crawl, 4 link rear, leaf front, front axle??, rear axle??. I want something that can handle the central oregon go fast sections in between the rock piles. All the while keeping the kids safe and the rig reliable.

Make sure you route your fuel lines so you can't pack shit on top of them:laughing::flipoff2:

87-91 drw chevy.

that way you can run stock h1's too.

I'd do the 4.3 700R4 NP231/D300 conversion all day long. Hell I'm converting the Shuler Scout right now. :smokin: When Uber Scout was first finished and just had the 35s. It would crawl like a snail in double low and still do 70 on the freeway with the OD tranny. Side note is that 37s on home welded steel beadlocks dont like 70 MPH as well as the 35s.:shaking:

For what you can pick up a complete 90s S10 for now it is a no brainer. FWI Uber got 15 MPG running around town and about 18 on the HWY. These are solid numbers not seat of the pants guesses. Which I didn't think was to bad for a rig with 4.88s and 35s.

A regular S80/800 the 4.3/700R4/231/300 would be a pretty good option, good power, MPG, relatively light, but you still need axles.
Since you are going to stretch it and make it a 4 door, it's going to be heavy, I'd look for the late 80's K30, TBI454, TH400, 205 (203/205 doubler) D60F and 14BFF. One stop shopping, everything you need in one donor. Like Trkklr77 said, if it DRW, you can run stock H1s which will help keep the width down.

87 K30? FI 454/T400/205/60f/14br


You know what I started with and what I paid for it.... :smokin: Had I scored a SWR '87 I'd have been even further ahead.

Do it. The way you build, and need for a 4 seater, it will be heavy and you'll need the exrta beef.

Much has been covered...

Late 80s 3/4 or 1 ton Chevy, FI 350, manual/auto doubler etc.
The long Chevy Springs are a plus as well.

Other options would be 70s era, Chevy or Ford of the same ilk, either on Propane (tanks will take up space), or maybe Holley Projection.

I don't know Fords well, but did they make any trucks with FI & HP fronts?
9"/D44 would work up to 37s...

Any way you cut it, D60 fronts will cost you Bank.
If you can go D60 front, do it.. I'm loving mine so far.
With 37s, I wheel without any worries about destroying the front.

Are you completely sold on the Leaf Front/Coil rear?
If you are, make sure you calculate spring rate with the rig loaded with camping gear in the rear.
I think there is a reason my Dodge Cummins Tow Rig has leafs rear/coils front.

My next major upgrade will be coils up front (my rear flexes fine).

Keep the tires sub-37's, then stick with the (cheaper) D44 front, or even one of the *bling* and pretty stout (and cheap to build) Jeep HP30 then build a stout rear. SF D60 if you want, or lighter would be a nice 9".

Run with the 4.3/700 combo unless it proves to be too gutless in the speed department, but then a 5.7L is a drop-in.


D60's, 205's, 203/205 doublers, IMO add a ton of weight if your making a driver/wheeler. Keep a stripped/dedicated wheeler for that stuff to beat on, put the lighter but stout components in a dd/wheeler/family rig.


If I wasn't still a Scout guy, and wanted to build a comfortable, 4-seat (and 4-door) wheeler/driver, I'd be seriously looking at a 4-door TJ (whatever they are) with the right amount of bolt-on and semi-custom and removed hardware, long arms and real wheels/tires, and be done and reliable.


My $.02

Any way you cut it, D60 fronts will cost you Bank.
If you can go D60 front, do it.. I'm loving mine so far.
With 37s, I wheel without any worries about destroying the front

keep on rubbing it in.. :p

want to do it right the first time(if thats even possible).

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=726018&highlight=bajabomber

...

K30 FTW

or find the th-400/205 and swap on a 350.... who needs overdrive in a trail rig anyway :flipoff2:

Come on you guys. Think outside the farm.

76-77 Bronco. 302/C4/D20/D44/9inch/coils front/dual tanks/PS all factory!

And you don't even have to worry about melding it with the whole Scout thing. It already looks like a Scout. Then when someone says "hey dude nice Bronco" you can say, Thanks!:smokin:

Come on you guys. Think outside the farm.

76-77 Bronco. 302/C4/D20/D44/9inch/coils front/dual tanks/PS all factory!

And you don't even have to worry about melding it with the whole Scout thing. It already looks like a Scout. Then when someone says "hey dude nice Bronco" you can say, Thanks!:smokin:


Best advice in here, you should get a bronco.

Come on you guys. Think outside the farm.

76-77 Bronco. 302/C4/D20/D44/9inch/coils front/dual tanks/PS all factory!

And you don't even have to worry about melding it with the whole Scout thing. It already looks like a Scout. Then when someone says "hey dude nice Bronco" you can say, Thanks!:smokin:

Thanks what I was thinking too. Guy around the corner has one, 78 I think. no motor and need a ton of work and only wants $5K for it.

Thanks what I was thinking too. Guy around the corner has one, 78 I think. no motor and need a ton of work and only wants $5K for it.

Not the same. 77 and older is a smaller body style. Also starting in 78 they had the crappy 351M/400M engines.

Best donor is a '79 Jeep Cherokee. 360 v8, T18A, Dana 20, Dana 44's front and rear. I just happen to have one for sale, PM me for info.

Come on you guys. Think outside the farm.

76-77 Bronco. 302/C4/D20/D44/9inch/coils front/dual tanks/PS all factory!

And you don't even have to worry about melding it with the whole Scout thing. It already looks like a Scout. Then when someone says "hey dude nice Bronco" you can say, Thanks!:smokin:

You'd think if a guy had something that good he'd never sell it.

I have heard a lot of good stuff about a frito lay van. I really think you would be happier with a good parts mix, one of the cool things about the build thing is taking all the best from lots of junk. I really like UberScout but I think there is no one perfect doner. .....

Best advice in here, you should get a bronco.

You wont get rid of me that easy:p

You wont get rid of me that easy:p

Alright, I'll keep trying.

I was so impressed with Scout Brokers rig. It worked so well, swapped so easily, and was just plain awsome. Its definately in my top 5 favorite rigs of all time. With that being said, I'm really leaning toward the s-10 blazer. It has EVERYTHING from the frame rails up. Add a box for rocks and D300 behind the 231 and its a done deal. Wiring harness, column, etc... its all there. If I could score a decent rig for around a grand, that would leave the rest of my budget to go toward axles and suspension.

I wanna stay light weight but still run 40's. I'm thinking 9's front and rear. 35 spline rear is about as cheap and durable as anything. Put some spidertrax C's and knuckles on and the fronts bomb ready with 35 spline stuff.

Internationals are in my blood. Powertrain swaps might not satisfy the purists but to me its still an IH. At he same time, I wanted to avoid just swapping a scout body onto a K30 and living with the fattness.

Robert- your right. There is no perfect donor rig. If I had an unlimited budget, I would be doing the mix bag of upgrades, but I dont. I need the max amount of bang for my buck...

How about a '91 to '95 Cherokee donor? 4.0/AW4/231 or 4.0/AX15/231 if you want a manual transmission. Similar scenario to the s-10 donor, you have the whole powertrain and accessories from a single donor, and they are dirt cheap. If you didn't want dual cases, a Dana 300 will bolt on to either transmission with a spacer and clocking ring. The 4.0 is also true-er to the IH roots, its in the same engine family as the AMC 232. 4.0's love to be stroked or turboed if you need more power.

. 4.0's love to be stroked .......

I love to be stroked too.........just sayin.:grinpimp:

I love to be stroked too.........just sayin.:grinpimp:

Why don't you hurry up and stroke that transmission of yours?

Ben, that crossed my mind too. My step sister has a 95 with 200k plus of zero issue reliability. I like that. BUT.....

I like the compactness of the 4.3 and the ability to bomb proof that 700r4. Plus, if the day comes, a zz383 will swap right in :grinpimp:

Thanks what I was thinking too. Guy around the corner has one, 78 I think. no motor and need a ton of work and only wants $5K for it.

hmm, just helped a guy get a 78 w/400m and 4 inch lift for $600, motor needed rebuild. 5k for a bronco? wow, must suck.

EB's you can find pretty easy for $1000 either stock or lifted a lil.

EB's you can find pretty easy for $1000 either stock or lifted a lil.

I will buy every running '76 - '77 Early Bronco you can provide for $1000 each and give you a $100 finders fee per purchase.

hmm, just helped a guy get a 78 w/400m and 4 inch lift for $600, motor needed rebuild. 5k for a bronco? wow, must suck.

EB's you can find pretty easy for $1000 either stock or lifted a lil.

Well, a '78+ Bronco aren't all that "collectible" so they are cheap.

Everybody an their brother wants an arm and a leg for a '66-'77 EB.
:rolleyes:
SHOW me a decent '66-'77 EB for $1,000. In running, driving, condition.

Along with that, find me a couple of your $50 D60F's:flipoff2:

Well, a '78+ Bronco aren't all that "collectible" so they are cheap.

Everybody an their brother wants an arm and a leg for a '66-'77 EB.
:rolleyes:
SHOW me a decent '66-'77 EB for $1,000. In running, driving, condition.

Along with that, find me a couple of your $50 D60F's:flipoff2:

5 grand is my whole budget. I can't find a bronco platform for less than that let alone something decent.

Free 80's on the other hand, fall into my lap weekly it seems. I think I can find a decent blazer or cherokee donor for around a grand. That's my plan anyway, lol!

If your that into Uberscout talk to Mike he seems to be doing something else now. He is the Scout Broker maybe you guys can work out something that will have you wheeling instead of crawing around on the floor building:smokin:

If your that into Uberscout talk to Mike he seems to be doing something else now. He is the Scout Broker maybe you guys can work out something that will have you wheeling instead of crawing around on the floor building:smokin:



Being there for his build really inspired me and stuck with me. It made me really want to do it myself. His rig works, plain and simple.

I think you got it there, the best donor will be one that falls into your lap.

The 4.3 is not a bad motor, since you been driving around with 80hp.

Find something that works as a daliy driver and then use it. That why you know the motor and trans are ok.

The other nice thing is, I'm not parting out the Rattle Trap Shit Box to build this one. So, I can wheel all winter, spring, summer, fall, and winter x7 till this thing is built.

Your right Craig, I have made do with 80hp this whole time. 200hp from the 4.3 will make me feel like I'm driving a rocket ship:laughing:

In an unrelated topic...can I flip a ford 205 to run behind the 231 doubler? Neighbor has one that I can get cheap. I like the idea of the 205 strength for the final output. I figure I'm saving a lot of weight with the 4.3/700r4/231 set up so a few extra pounds on a 205 is ok.


Got a call from a craigslist dude. 89 blazer 4.3/700r4/231 just over 100k on replacement motor, daily driver, 30 miles from my house. $500 but flexible. Thoughts?

Got a call from a craigslist dude. 89 blazer 4.3/700r4/231 just over 100k on replacement motor, daily driver, 30 miles from my house. $500 but flexible. Thoughts?

89 will be TBI instead of CPI. Which ia a bit less HP but easier to fix on the trail. Either one will have more HP then a stock 345. $500 is a ok price. Is it a 4 door or a 2 door?

89 will be TBI instead of CPI. Which ia a bit less HP but easier to fix on the trail. Either one will have more HP then a stock 345. $500 is a ok price. Is it a 4 door or a 2 door?

I have more experience with the TBI stuff anyway. I know my way around them pretty well after your build and all the TBI build ups I helped on.

Its a 4 door. fully loaded but USED. I'm on the fence... I kinda liked the 'bling' factor when you open the hood and see the octopus and bright orange VORTEC though:D. K&N, headers, ignition, and chip stroking should net me a few more HP if I think I need it.

In an unrelated topic...can I flip a ford 205 to run behind the 231 doubler?

Yes...
I just replied to your PM.
Check my links.

I will buy every running '76 - '77 Early Bronco you can provide for $1000 each and give you a $100 finders fee per purchase.

come to georgia theire everywhere,oh yeah and old fj-40's also.

In an unrelated topic...can I flip a ford 205 to run behind the 231 doubler? Neighbor has one that I can get cheap. I like the idea of the 205 strength for the final output. I figure I'm saving a lot of weight with the 4.3/700r4/231 set up so a few extra pounds on a 205 is ok.


Got a call from a craigslist dude. 89 blazer 4.3/700r4/231 just over 100k on replacement motor, daily driver, 30 miles from my house. $500 but flexible. Thoughts?

Yes you can flip a Ford 205... slipscomb has posted pics of his flipped 205 setup a couple of times. Search for my T19 to 203/205 thread and I believe you will a couple of pics of sean's setup there.

I have also seen pics here on pirate where someone swapped sides with the input and output assemblies in a Ford 205.

chip stroking should net me a few more HP if I think I need it.

I'm your guy.... :smokin:

http://www.moates.net/images/burn2.jpg


As long as you find someone to edit the bin for you/with you. :shaking: I still suck at reading/making sense of/editting the data.

Thanks! I'll just squirrel this 205 away for now, till I need it.

I think I'm gonna wait a lil longer and see who crawls out of the woodwork with a blazer. I'll keep the dudes number just in case though. I really dont plan on starting a project like this till next spring anyway. It was 35 here this AM and only 75 for a high. 2 months it will be a high of 35. By christmas everything is frozen to the ground:eek:

I'm your guy.... :smokin:

http://www.moates.net/images/burn2.jpg


As long as you find someone to edit the bin for you/with you. :shaking: I still suck at reading/making sense of/editting the data.


You running the EEprom:smokin: I did that mod to my ECM as it makes changes a snap.