Thread: International Harvester Scout

A early Bronco is a good piece of gear if you can find one.( Pre 1974)
They were totally different to the later Broncos and equal to the range rover of the time in all areas.
they were mostly private imports or dealer special ordered, but were sold in right hand drive in this country.
I had much experience with John laws old Bronco.
I agree the smaller International 4x4 trucks sold over the years are a better project than the Scout.
The International 4x4 range is easily up graded by bigger gearboxes and motors from other areas of the international truck range and most of it will be a easy swap.

Howdy,

I'm new around here and I thought I'd say hi and weigh in on the Scout comments. I'm not a Land Rover owner but I hope to be soon. I've been looking for a Defender that's nice enough and cheap enough. Something to tinker with and drive on weekends. I am an International Harvester Scout owner though and have a couple comments. They were built in my hometown in Indiana and my father and his father both worked in the Harvester plant.

It's true that they're pretty crude compared to a Land Rover. It was built by a farm implement company and marketed to farmers. It's not a truck that I enjoy driving over a long distance because of the position of the seat/steering/pedals. I'm thinking of modifying some or all of those to make it more comfortable. It's true that it could use some caster as well.

The Scout you have pictured is an 80. The 800 looks almost identical but had more comfort and power options. I think the specs for the 80 were the same worldwide (aside from necessary differences like LHD, RHD). They were built between 1960 and 1970. After 1970 the Scout was renamed the Scout II. The 80 and 800 were sold in Oz for a few years after 1970 but they were vehicles that had been built prior to 1971.

Scout 80s and 800s were all the same wheelbase, approx 100" (254cm). RHD Scouts were sold in UK, NZ, So Africa and Oz and were built under contract for the US Postal Service as mail delivery vehicles. RHD parts are still available.

The standard axles on the 80 are Dana 27s front and rear, normally with limited slip in the rear. The standard transfer case on the 80 is a Dana 18. Lock-out hubs, removeable top, removeable doors, fold down windscreen, dual 9 gallon fuel tanks

Someone commented on the oil filter location. It is vulnerable but the filter is the old cartridge type and many are converted to a modern remote oil filter which can be located in a safe place.

Most 80s in the US were farm vehicles and never titled for street use so they don't have many miles on the odometer. Mine was built in 1964 and has only 60,000 miles on it. It starts every time on the first try and idles quiet and smooth. The only complaint I have with the drivetrain is with the hydraulic clutch. I read somewhere that the RHD models have a mechanical clutch linkage, your advantage.

I'll be watching this thread to see if or when you get your Scout. If you need any help with parts let me know. I've got a small collection of spares and lots of connections.

Eric

There are still quite a few around Brisbane. They seem to have become a type of cult car. Users seem to all follow the same path. How big an engine can be fitted, how high can you lift it, what are the biggest widest wheels you can get away with, etc. etc.

I spotted one in Perth(Canning Vale) a couple of weeks ago.Big lift and tyres,Camo paint job.
I liked the look of it,well done to anybody that is prepared to spend time and money on something different.
Andrew

didn't they have a diff or axle problem for the early ones?

I recall soomething I was told by an owner a long time ago...but he was fanatical about the car, no matter what he was loyal to it...I thought he was a little crazy....



then I got a land rover.....
......................................or two
................................................ma ybe 3
.................................................. ..........well 4
.................................................. .........................." SHHH, its 5!! I have one hidden! "

I had one years ago. It was a really nice car, but had no articulation, so not much chop offroad. Also sucked the juice like nothing. Usually did worse thatn 20L/100km.
However, I never had a problem with parts for it. A large cement company had a fleet of IHI trucks, and they used the same engines. I dropped my started in at an auto electrician, he looked at it and said "I haven't seen one of those for a while" They had the parts on the shelf to fix it. Autobarn had the gaskets for it too. Had to order them in, but only took a few days.

Power steering was great, and it had a small steering wheel on it. It had a better turning circle than my fathers range rover. And seats had been changed to something very comfortable. Was a great car to drive, but I can't say I miss it that much.

Friend had a Traveller a good few years ago, quite pleasant,in an american way, to drive but its fuel consumption made my 78 Rangie look positively economical.
This particular vehicle didn't last long, it was used on the beach for fishing trips as well as towing a bloody big builders trailer in work time.
They certainly had some issues with rust too.

Gday 101 Ron
I'm all new to this forum/club & I've just joined up becasuse I'm interested in what you had to say about the early Broncos.
I have a Imported '74 Bronco Sport LHD.
I have read in an old 4wd article that John Laws did own one of these but was wondering if you had any info on the importers or the conversion mob for the Australin version that was sold in limited numbers. I beleive John Warren Ford were the importers of some but can't find out who the converters were. Really just after the steering box details of what was used etc as I'm thinking of converting mine.
Is regoed at the moment but a pain in the a##e for everyday use being LHD.
Any info at all on these would be greatly appreciated!!
cheers!