Category: My First Scout
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Mr. Fix It and the tale of the failing fuel pump…
There’s a special kind of frustration reserved for a vehicle that runs perfectly… until it doesn’t. Min? A small block Chevy 350 running a Holley Sniper 2 EFI with a return-style fuel system. Strong. Reliable. Confident. Until about 5–15 minutes into runtime. Then the gremlins arrive. Here’s the step-by-step journey that led me to conclude Read more
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Sidequest: Fat Bastard- the story of the gas strut.
I decided to search around and start adding some small “luxuries” to my Scout II. The first thing I came across was a tuffy gas piston to help assist the opening of the tuffy box. I am going to be honest. I didn’t think much about this being a problem but it is a pain in Read more
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Operation: Leaky Seals.
When I planned for this rig to be a daily driver, I knew there would be water entering the vehicle. I had my guys blast rhino liner in the tub, sides, and bumpers. This was all to prepare for rain and moisture. I have about 1500 miles on the rig, and she is running pretty Read more
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Sidequest: Foghorn um, er, Legorn.
I have set out to get the horn working on this bad boy. I quickly realized the cancel cam wiring harness was not appropriate. As you can see on the left, the harnesses do not match up When you buy the wiring kit from Anything Scout, you will need a short-style harness. The short will Read more
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Running Sidequest….My mecahinc is twerking or is it tweaking?
I decided to create a dedicated post for the ongoing tweaks to my Scout II. October 9th – 2025 As you can see, I have some leaks that I am currently looking to fix. I have a significant oil leak, and it appears to be coming from the pan. I can see that on the Read more
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Get Low: Exhaust-ive Shenanigans with My ’72 Scout II’s Booty Call Pipes
I am in the market for a new exhaust system, and as with everything else on this build….I know nothing. I stopped by the muffler shop here in Chattanooga, and the guy told me to do some googling and listen to the sounds of both Flowmaster and Magnaflow mufflers. So, here I go. I will Read more
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First Show! – Harvesters in the Hollar
This past weekend, I was able to get my Scout over to Crossville, TN, for the annual Harvesters in the Hollar, about 140 Miles round trip. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot, but I had only put 200 miles total on the new speedometer/odometer. My destination was up the hill a little, so Read more
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Wheelie Good Laughs: Aligning My 1972 Scout Tires for the First Time
One of the things that I have already done is update the steering linkage. It helped a little bit. I am still working to get it driving better. I recently purchased a sway bar for the front end. I hope to have that this month and will install it with some Grade 8 or Grade Read more
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1st gear? No problem! The other two. We have a poblem. Four slight challenges….
Okay, I was expecting that some crap was going to happen. I was actually just researching the dust cover that was missing when I bought this thing. I was thinking, man I should probably replace that thing. I am not sure if this missing dust cover has anything to do with next things to get Read more
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Measuring the slither of my serpentine..and other items.
Back at the mechanic…. I think there may be a vacuum leak or a fuel pressure regulation/fuel pump issue. I will have it back at State Line Auto in a few weeks to see if we can get it running as good as it looks. Update: …so the old man is back on the tow Read more
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Before and After Photos: Back where it all began.
So, I will admit that I found a plugin that creates before-and-after photo sliders, and I like it. Since I like it, I will use it so much that you may be upset with my overuse. Deal with it! A brief note for you purists out there….you know who you are, and yes, I am talking to Read more
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Sidequest: Battery Beefcake
I never thought I would have to think this much about a battery, but here I am. When I purchased my Scout II, it came with a DieHard Silver 24FT-5 battery, which had the following dimensions: a length of 10.25 inches, a width of 6.81 inches, and a height of 8.88 inches. When I decided Read more
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The Rebuild…something is going to happen
Here we go! I have a few pics from today and will keep putting them up as things go back together. I was told that windows were going in today. So far, the rebuild has been ongoing for three weeks, but they are not working on my rig full-time. I will keep up with pictures Read more
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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
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GPS in a ’72 like its ’02…
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Project Running Like a Singer: Only hopefully with a little more power.
I am not going to B.S. you here. Getting this thing running correctly is not as easy as one would think. I am going to have the guys at State Line Auto help me, but Levi does a great job explaining the challenges. Bonus: Levi also shows an upgrade that I may drop in at Read more
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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
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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
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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
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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: Back: Read more
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 Current Setup: 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 Read more
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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: Read more
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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 guy 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