The Scout is getting reworked.............again

[ChestonScout]

I dont know if anyone is even interested in this but maybe it will give me ambition to get things done so I have something to post up.

After my rollover, the front end was kind of messed up. About the same time I ran into a deal for some 54" boggers that I couldnt pass up. SOOOOOO..........time to rework the Scout.


The plans are........
-push front axle forward 5"
-cage front end
-install Scout 80 hood and grille narrowed 14"
-chop out Scout frame from trans mount forward and rebuild
-new shock hoops
-clearance cage and sliders in rear to clear 54s
-radiator in rear
-sold the propane kit, installing fuel injection

The biggest part of the plan is I want it to sit lower on the 54s than it did on 47s. Im shooting for 2" lower. So that means all the suspension is getting reworked as well.

I also spun bearings in the motor so that is getting gone thru as well.

I havent got very far on this yet, Ive mostly been working on the motor but here is one sneak peak of what Im shooting for

 

[ChestonScout]

That pic the hood and grille are just sitting there. I just wanted to get an idea of what it will look like.

So I was on hold fighting my motor for like 2 months. Like I said....every rod bearing was bad and 1 was spun. This motor was dang near new. Just installed last spring. It was a motor I was building for my Mustang drag car but the TTC motor pooped out so I threw this one in.

I put flat top pistons in it and it had the old 72cc DOVE heads. Roller tip rockers and a RV cam. Rest is stock. My buddy SkippedLink pointed out that I have 11.8:1 compression with this setup and thats why the bearings were all bad. The compression just beat the bearings out of it pushing my heavy pig around.

This news came just after I spent about 500 bucks to repair the motor and get gaskets and a lot of time on it.

So after some thought....this wasnt going to work. It ran ok on propane but it has a octane rating of like 110. With me converting it to efi I would have to run race fuel (which I cant afford) so something has to change.

I was going to swap on some newer heads that would have dropped the compression to around 9.5 but that deal didnt work out.

So after some consideration.....I decided to just pick up a EFI 460 and throw it in. This will be the easiest and most importantly the cheapest solution right now.

I will save the other motor for the Mustang again.

Im hoping I found a good motor. Its a 93 with 100k miles on it. It was pulled out of a wrecked truck. Got it cleaned up a little and threw it in.

I hope Im making the right call but the decision has already been made

 

[ChestonScout]

So yesterday I started hacking the frame.

here is the chunk I cut out. You can see all the places where its been patched, straightened and patched again

 

[ChestonScout]

Yes...Im doing all this in the driveway....in the middle of the winter and it flippin SUCKS!!

We have almost put our house up for sale to buy one with a shop just for this project but we realized no one would buy this place with all my torn up project everywhere.

Once the frame is back in, I might haul it to my buddys shop in Nevada. He has a lift, plasma table, bender, etc. PLUS A HEATER! And he is the best welder and fabber I know. He is also going to help me get the efi 460 running.

I figure I can do in a week what would take me a month or more in the driveway.

Well.....time to bundle up and go work on it I guess

 

[ChestonScout]

BTW this is the new ride height in this pic. The body is sitting 1" lower than it was on 47s.

Im extremely happy with the height!

I am going to lose some of my up travel compared to before but it will be worth it for the better COG

 

[thenag]

Yeah my wife told me that I "had to insulate the shop" before I start the next project...

down side is that the bronco is completely torn apart and I have stuff laying all around... but my 16x22 shop is currently insulated it just needs some work to be finished. Even with two small electric heaters it was about 15 degrees warmer than outside. (40 degrees felt darn toasty...)

Then we start what has been called "project pending funding" or "really well built xj"

damn gonna be a sheep in a jeep pretty soon...

Let me know if you need any bits and pieces for your 460.

Nathan
I like my socialized military, police, and fire departments...

 

[ID Bronco]

Man you sure are ambitious! I am impressed with how much you have done on this thing! Looks like a much better ride height.

 

[Gravy]

You're nuts dude! It's cold out there! I have no idea how I'll finish mine before crawlfest in my dang boatshed, much less in a driveway

 

[Chevycrew]

Holy cow, big changes! You just keep going bigger, good choice with leroy for help!

 

[iamsparticus]

i do all my stuff in the drive way you just wear warm cloths under coveralls, a snowmobile hood to keep the neck warm and some good mechanic gloves and your set, it does suck but how else will you get ready for SWCF

 

[jackjoh]

Scout??? I recognized the headlights. You have more guts then I ever did. You must have a very understanding wife also. The 1980 Scout II I am looking at will be a restoration except for a few tweeks.

 

[ChestonScout]

Ya.....I use the name Scout loosely anymore. It has a little Scout frame, some of the firewall, then whatever panels I put back on the front.

Frame work is no fun. I had to come in and warm up for a few.


As for the understanding wife.......most the time :greg:


She has learned over the years. Her big thing now is I have to pay cash for everything I do on it. Slows the process down for sure since I work construction but what do you do? Find the absolute cheapest way to do everything and hope for the best

 

[4554x4]

I dig your jackstands!

 

[LT.]

I wouldn't say you are nuts but, I would say that there is too much distance between your field goal posts. Since every time I touch the Beater it seems to cost me thousands I will just have to watch and learn from you! Nice write up and keep the updates coming. I can't wait until we get to wheel again.

LT.

 

[Bart]

Love the new nose and ride height. Good idea on the cash only. If I had done that the buggy would still be in the garage. It may not be finished yet, but it would still be mine.

 

[ChestonScout]

It sucks for sure but worth it in the end.

When I went Top Truck Challenge in 08 I put everything on the credit card. Between what I did on the Scout and the trip is was about 8 grand.

Ive been paying religiously on the card since. Sometimes making huge payments. Today I think its down to 7 grand!!!! It makes my wife sick.


Anyhow...got a little done today. I left the camera outside so I will post a couple pics later

 

[spaggyroe]

You crack me up Cheston.
You're hard core though, and I can admire that. :greg:

That sucker is going to be MEAN with those 54's. I was secretly hoping that your plans included new wheels..... and therefore the sale of your existing wheels....

Does all this mean that you'll be installing 2" ouverson shafts soon?

 

[ChestonScout]

You crack me up Cheston.
You're hard core though, and I can admire that. :greg:

That sucker is going to be MEAN with those 54's. I was secretly hoping that your plans included new wheels..... and therefore the sale of your existing wheels....

Does all this mean that you'll be installing 2" ouverson shafts soon?

THis means I SHOULD be installing 2" OEM shafts soon But ya.....gonna be awhile.

Im thinking I will get the chromo 16 spline stock replacements and see how they hold up. I know some guys that havent broken them with 54s

For now, I will just be wheeling very gingerly and will be carrying spare shafts with me.


I would LOVE to get new wheels. It would be a happy day to call Stazworks and tell them what I want. But, they want money to :-\

 

[ChestonScout]

Here is todays progress. It doesnt seem like much but it took me about 5 hours.

Between finding angles, fitment and adjustment. It was a butt kicker. Not to mention needing another 2 or 3 hands.


So this is the main reason I chopped the frame. With me lowering the body the upper link mount had to be moved up. Since it was under the frame before this was my solution.

So now the frame actually comes up through the floor. Still have tons of leg and foot room tho.

The biggest time consumer....I had to inboard the frame about a inch to clear the fenderwell exit headers. I think it should work good

Good news is I have all the angles now so the other side should be easier.

I actually have to work tomorrow and friday so it will be sitting til saturday

 

[LT.]

Really cool! I wish I had your skills.

LT.