A Tale of Two Scouts

CSmith · #1 03-12-2008

In the begining, there was the green scout, and it was good. At least we thought it was when we first saw it. Darrin, Wagonmaster and I picked up last winter near Athol, ID. Darrin was the proud new owner. It looked great on the outside, it even had the original paint. However on closer inspection he discovered that despite how nice the outside was, the tub had completely rusted apart. It was a snow plow rig, originally from Minnesota. He ended up parting it out. He kept all the sheet metal and sold the axles. The rest went to Shukmeister.

CSmith · #2 03-12-2008

Scout #2 is one that Shukmeister himself had purchased. John had taken the body off of the original six cylinder frame and had set it down on the frame from the green scout. The body is pretty rough on the outside, but the tub isn't too bad. Some minor repairs will make it pretty solid. This one is from Alaska. John let me talk him out of the blue scout and we hauled it home, along with the green scout's 345 V8, automatic transmission, transfer case and most everything else that had been salvaged off of it.

CSmith · #3 03-12-2008

With a little arm twisting I was able to talk Darrin out of all the green scout's sheet metal including the quarter panels which is all still in pretty nice shape. Basically I am going to resurrect the green scout. The blue scout will be stripped down to the bare tub and be put back together with the green scout's drivetrain and skin.

Darrin · #4 03-13-2008

I am glad to see the Ceylon Green Scout is going to be alive once again. It is too awesome of a color to not be seen in these parts again. I hated to give up the metal, but I knew Cory would put it to good use.

SHUKMEISTER · #5 03-13-2008

Without a shop of my own, I couldn't see me giving Sancho (the blue scout) the attention it needs any time soon. I agree with Darrin, and couldn't think of a better person to hand the project off to.

Good luck C. Knowing you you'll have it trail ready in no time.

Here's some travel pics from my cell phone.

John

CSmith · #6 03-15-2008

Thanks guys.

This morning was the first chance I had to work on it. I got it mostly cleaned out and stripped down. I will need to replace the rear body mounts, but that should be a piece of cake with the quarter panels off and the tub lifted off the frame. There will need to be some minor repairs made to the kick panels before I line the tub. All in all it's way more solid than the stuff I usually drag home.

IHTrucker · #7 03-15-2008

Cool project... BIG project! Good Luck!

Gustav129 · #8 03-15-2008

Awesome, let me know if you need any help with anything on weekends.: thumbsup

This is the kind of stuff I need to learn.

CSmith · #9 03-16-2008

I got a little done this morning before I had to shift my attention to a flooded basement...

I'm going in for surgery on March 28th so I'm trying to get as much done as I can before then.

CSmith · #10 03-27-2008

Well I've gotten alot less done than I had hoped. The engine is bolted in with a squarebore intake and Carter AFB. I swapped transfer cases. I cut out the rusty mid-body mounts and have new ones from SSS tacked in place and the new quarter panels are prepped with POR-15 on the backsides and waiting to go on. I go under the knife in the morning so I wont be able to work on it again for a few weeks.

Jensers · #11 03-28-2008

I hope all goes well Cory!

Travis · #12 03-30-2008

Next time you need help lifting something call someone! Rest up.

Gustav129 · #13 03-30-2008

I'll be stopping by your place this coming weekend. Did you need any help with anything?

CSmith · #14 03-31-2008

Thanks guys.

SHUKMEISTER · #15 04-04-2008

Yeah..... uuuuhm...... Cory!

I was wondering if you could come over right away and help me move a couple 345 long blocks. I just need to pack em' a hundred yards or so and only up 2 flights of stairs.

John

CSmith · #16 04-04-2008

I'll be right over.

Gustav129 · #17 04-06-2008

Looks good so far. Good work on the body mount.

CSmith · #18 04-12-2008

Cabin fever set in pretty quick so I have been sneaking out to the garage a little bit. Mid body mount welded in and corresponding floor area repaired.

CSmith · #19 04-12-2008

Using my cherry picker and floor jack I got the axles moved under the springs and welded in new perches. Then bolted on some swamper TSLs. I didn't do a cut and turn yet, I'm not ready to swing a 10 lb. sledge.

I have some chevy flat-tops to use with wagoneer steering linkage. I still need to round up the parts to convert to disc brakes and a pair of high steer arms.