Your cart is currently empty!
Category: My First Scout
Scout II Radio Quest: ’72 Tunes…in 2025
I have been doing lots of research, trying to figure out what touchscreen unit will fit without much modification to the dashboard or the dash panel. I think I found a winner—introducing the Single Din Touch Screen Car Stereo with Wireless Apple CarPlay. I purchased mine before the 2025 tariff wars for $99 plus tax. I am pretty… Read more
GPS in a ’72 like its ’93…
I decided to hook up a GPS to my Speedometer. I bought the unit from AutoMeter. I am sure you can buy a cheaper version of the GPS unit on Amazon, and it works just as well as the $250+ one I purchased. But hey, one of my superpowers is overpaying, so I have that… Read more
Project looking glass: Scout II Sleuth
I bought this scout from a 90-year-old gentleman who just lost his wife. He was the primary caretaker and held the position for over 10 years. He wanted to redo the vehicle but was unable to do so. I still send him updates from time to time. I also found it strange that my Scout… Read more
From V-Belts to Serpentine: Slithering into a Smoother Scout II Ride
I wasn’t expecting this, but I am not surprised. We will do two things to get a more modern and serviceable engine. I will be taking pictures of before and after, but since a mechanic is doing the work, I may be missing some process steps. Updates: Talk to the guys at State Line Auto. Here… Read more
Chillin’ Like a Scout II Villain: The AC Chronicles
I found a shop in town that can install the after-market kit. The guys at State Line Auto say they are up to the challenge and have a fabricator to fabricate the steel pieces to hold the compressor and move the alternator around. I am excited to get this piece taken care of because the… Read more
Sidequest: Big, Shiney, Happy, Beauty Rings…and center caps.
So I grabbed the beauty rings off the Scout and brought them home for refurbishment. The outside of the rings were in pretty good shape. The biggest challenge I had was to blow the rust off the back of the rings and work them over with a wire brush. You can see how I handled… Read more
Project Scout II:The final quest…before the ongoing saga.
Sure, I remember the Christmas of 1987. Why do you ask? Well, I remember that year I got the Legend of Zelda. It was under the Christmas tree, all beautiful and gold! I unwrapped that bad boy and stared at it. It took us a few months to beat it. Yes, we called the hotline in Seattle… Read more
Sidquest: Headliners are for quakers.
You will notice that my cover image is a little different. I quit paying for ChatGPT and use Grok now. Grok creates more realistic images which, I don’t know if I love or not—either way. GPT only allows the free version to do a few renditions of pictures before it says to try again tomorrow.… Read more
Project II-Tone: Ready for paint! Part Deux
I figured I would break from the old post to jump to paint stuff here. Now that that deadener is applied and the spray on bed we will start to attack the exterior. Reed has started painting on the loose parts like the cowl, front grill, lower valance, rear hatch window, and glove box door.… Read more
Project Running Like a Singer: Only hopefully with a little more power.
Coming soon! Love0 Share Share Share Pin Read more
Project II-Tone: Ready for paint! Part Uno
I think I have found the color scheme. I am not 100% sure about the color of the pinstripe, but I LOVE the front cowl, all in white. It will look great with the stainless grill. Leave your comments in the section below. I am going with sage green and an “antique white”. I talked… Read more
Bondo Bonanza: My 1972 Scout II’s New Skin Regime
She’s back at the body shop: Update: I talked to Tony 11/5/24 about the process. We are going to go weekly on the truck. I will go down and get updates on the process and approve the next steps. We are getting closer to putting her back together. Update: 59.5 Hours of Body Work…. Okay,… Read more
Project: Everyone could use 2-3 inches…and it only took 5 months!
Good day!….Um, er to spend money!!! So I had the tow guy, I use Cain, pick up the Scout. Cost me $150 to get it up the lift kit place but I don’t have any other option. My mechanic grabbed a crate and told me it could be fun after he finishes driving it with… Read more
Body Work: How is it going?
My body guy put up a video on Instagram, which I pinched and posted below. I have sandblasted, removed rust, replaced sheet metal, cleaned up most rotted spots, refurbed the windows, and gas vaporizor. Chatt Town Exclusives Next: Love0 Share Share Share Pin Read more
Project Driver and Passenger Refurb: Glass refurb part deux.
I am working on the driver and passenger windows and both triangle windows. Now for the triangle window. I am starting with the driver’s window because the latch is broken. Update:I have been working to complete my glass FAQ on procuring glass for your drive and passenger door. You can order the glass ONLY here from… Read more
Project Scout’s Honor: Bringing the ’72 Glass Back to its Clear, Glorious Past
So, let’s get into it, shall we? I have the glass from my Scout II that I would like to restore. This will include cleaning and restoring the glass, and I will also take on the hardware restoration. The glass is pretty grimy and gross, as shown in the pictures below. The front and rear… Read more
Project 70’s Shag Baby: Secrets to a Deep Pile Satisfaction
Ah, carpet. You wouldn’t think this decision would be so hard to make, but there are many options for carpets. There is a plush cut pile, an ultra-plush cut pile (the most expensive), a neon cut pile (for those who love disco biscuits), an 80-20 loop, and a loop pile carpet. FYI: Neon-cut pile carpets… Read more
Project Heavy Metal: Louder and Nastier than Ever!!
Now that all the sheet metal is in, I must take it to the sheet metal guy for advice. As you remember, I am gaining two inches or more with a new suspension and a one-inch body lift. UPDATE: I took down the HD Surefit Wedge from the boys at Anything Scout. I forgot that it would… Read more
Project Dune Part 3 Part 2: Scout Prime
I visited my friend down at Chatt Town Exclusives to see the recently blasted and primed Scout II. I took some pictures and discussed the items needed. Essentially, all of the floor panels needed replacement. That means I needed the following: UPDATE- So, the suppliers came through. Right front quarter panelLeft front quarter panel EJClassis… Read more
Project Hog Ring 101: Tan Corbeau rear seat cover installation.
Today, I had a little bit of extra time so I decided to work on the rear seat. I didn’t have 100% confidence that I had the skill / patience / detail to make it happen. I have been going a little over budget on some of the other things. HUH HUM – BROKEN Axle.… Read more
Project “Arm-rest”oration: Upholstering a 1972 Scout’s Interior, One Pun at a Time
I really do hope you appreciate the work that went into the title of this blog. Yes, most others are stupid, but this one is pretty good!! One of the most frustrating parts about re-doing this ’72 Scout has been finding the people to do the work. I don’t have any relationships. I ask friends… Read more
Project Dune Part 3: The sandblasting.
I have read the horror stories. Sandblasting can warp steel. There are ways to minimize warping and maximize the outcome. I am putting a lot of trust in A2Z Sand Blasing, and I must admit. I am a little nervous. I would say that this portion of the restoration has caused me the most anxiety.… Read more
Project Broken Axle: The Story of a July Suprise.
Log Entry 129: I felt like the tide was turning in my quest to have a good July, and I made it less than a few hours before I heard the news. I took my Scout II out to tweak my EFI a few days ago. I noticed a rattle in the back end of… Read more
Videos
Cool Videos I Found…all in one place. Engines. Windows. Hardtop. Wiring. Seals. Wipers. Exhaust. Sniper 2. Gears/Transmissions/Axles. Tires. Steering. Dealing with Rust. Fuel System. Coolant. Carpet and Sound Dampening. Water Pumps. Brakes. Other Videos. Engines: (TOP) Windows: (TOP) Hardtop: (TOP) Wiring: (TOP) Seals: (TOP) Wipers: (TOP) Exhaust: (TOP) Sniper2: (TOP) Gears / Transmissions / Axles:… Read more
Project: Tweak my EFI
I am working on gathering some tweaks for my EFI. I plan to get it idling great and then running great!! I will tell you how things go when my mechanic installs the EFI. We are still having some issues but Holley has been great with help and support. TIPS from the video:1) Always make… Read more
Project Steering Wheel: Like an old batch of collard greens.
I am searching for the perfect replacement steering wheel for my trusty Scout II. When I bought my Scout, I knew the steering wheel had to go. It was time for an upgrade, and I was determined to find the perfect replacement. Little did I know that this seemingly simple task would become an epic… Read more
Project: Where to put my boxes. EFI added!
In this blog post, I’ll share my experience hunting for the perfect location to attach the ignition box and tie-in box while installing the new Holley Sniper 2 electric fuel injection system on my vehicle. The process required careful consideration, research, and a few trial-and-error attempts. Background:I recently decided to upgrade my vehicle’s fuel system… Read more
Project: Baby needs a new pair of shoes.
Scout II Factory Options and Specifications for Scout II applications Aftermarket Basics to Know for Scout II applications Update: Here is what I am thinking. BF Goodwrench 33/10.5/15 They came in today! I decided to order them through the Walmart app because I use Walmart plus and the prices were good and they put them on and… Read more
Project: Plug the holes…
It’s better known as dropping a grand on gauges… The boys at Anything Scout recommend gauges from AutoMeter.com. Over the next month or so, I will research these bad boys and consider the look I want inside my Scout II. So I pulled the trigger on my gauges and went with the AutoMeter American Muscle… Read more
Project: Electrical Up to Snuff?
The boys at Anything Scout have a Scout II specific wiring harness and I am thinking about adding this to the project list. When embarking on a journey to restore or upgrade a classic vehicle like a 1972 Scout II, one of the most critical and intricate tasks is rewiring the entire electrical system. This… Read more
Unveiling the Past: A Comprehensive Guide to Sandblasting a 1972 Scout II
In the world of restoration, few tasks are as crucial and transformative as sandblasting. This process, when done correctly, can breathe new life into a vintage vehicle like the 1972 Scout II. But what exactly does sandblasting entail, and how much should you expect to pay for this service? In this blog post, we’ll delve… Read more
UPDATE: Project (Secure Hard Top)
So, I got the hard top on the Scout II. It came with a little pain, but I guess so do everything in life…..I had my 13-year-old helping me, which was a 1.5-man crew working on a 2-man project. We took it slow and steady and got it up on top. I did get my… Read more
Restoring a Scout II: A Step-by-Step Guide
Welcome to the world of classic car restoration, where patience meets passion! Today, we’re focusing on the iconic Scout II, an off-road vehicle produced by International Harvester from 1971 to 1980. Known for its rugged design and versatility, the Scout II makes a fantastic project for enthusiasts looking to bring a piece of automotive history… Read more
Project: Safety Check
I took my ’72 Scout for its first real visit to the mechanic. To start, I am having the boys at D & M Motors check it out. I have known these guys for years, and David met me to review the car and determine what we needed. We sat out in front of D… Read more
Project: Lights Camera Action
Okay, please refer to #2 of the home page – “Gullibility”. I am on Instagram a lot, yes more than I would care to admit. I found a guy –Wallace 4×4 with some really cool stuff! He doesn’t have a store or anything, but he does have a VENMO…. I mean, what is the worst… Read more
Project: Color Scheme
So, I can’t tell the difference between Hunter Green and Forrest Green… I am sure that one of them is darker, or something like that. I will enlist my wife when it comes to picking the exact color, but I found some color schemes that I like, and I think the interior work with most… Read more
The top is off…
I have owned this thing for a week now and decided to take the top off! To my surprise, the Soft Topper is pretty easy to take down and put back up. I am glad because I will probably want to remove the hard top and put it back on once everything is in order.… Read more
Project: Secure – Scout Hard Top
I secured a replacement for the missing hard top. I hope I got lucky because the guy I bought it from is SUPER nice. He lives in Minnesota and is going to build a pallet to ship it to me. Yes, it is ruff, but it is mine, so LAY OFF! UPDATE: Big shout out… Read more
I bought one. One eyebrow.
So- This old thing had to come home with me. I know it is not perfect. I am sure I will look back and say that I overpaid…the self doubt is real. Next: Love0 Share Share Share Pin Read more
The Black One ’72 w/ winch
Okay, so I got in touch with a guy named Marlin. He bought this 1972 IH Scout II for $16K in 2022. This guys is super nice! He is 89 years old and looks like he is in his 70’s. His wife had a stroke, and he took care of her until she passed this year.… Read more