Welcome To Lance's Scout Page

The International Scout (IHC) is the best mechanically built 4x4 ever!

1978 Scout II	1977 Traveler Midas Conversion	1976 Traveler	1979 Traveler Rallye Package
1976 Terra	1976 Scout II	1975 II Cab Top	1978 Scout II

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Here is a photograph of my first restoration. It is a 1978 International Scout II 4x4.

I bought this in Texas in the spring of 1997. The body is in great shape, but it was about worn out mechanically. I have replaced all the worn out parts on it. Everything mechanical except for the rear end gears has been replaced with original or original replacement parts. Actual mileage is unknown, but in reality is irrelevant, due to replacing all those parts. If the rear end gears are replaced someday, I can say with confidence that any new 4x4 will most certainly be inferior to this one. Some of the options it has are the 304 V8 engine, automatic, AC, sliding rear side windows, tilt, cruise, chrome rims, bucket seats, blue interior and AM/FM radio. I thoroughly enjoyed the ability to drive it six months out of the year with the top removed, while living in Texas. Now it resides with me in Minnesota where I can assure you that it "disappears" for the winter, since it has never been exposed to salt.

Here is my second Scout. This is a 1977 International Scout Traveler 4x4 with the original Midas package.

I purchased this Scout in Iowa in the summer of 2000. This Scout used to reside in Oklahoma until 1995. Thanks to the salt used in Iowa, the rockers and rear fenders were rusted. I finished the restoration on this Scout in October of 2002. I replaced the rear fenders with fiberglass replacement fenders and the rocker panels from Super Scout Specialists in Ohio. Unlike my first Scout, this one has 152,000 miles and has been extremely well maintained, along with the nice original "Midasized" interior. Some of the options it has (original) is the 345 V8 engine, automatic, AC, sliding rear side windows, blue interior, tilt, cruise, and clock, in addition to the Midas package. This is certainly my most valuable Scout. Click here for more photos.

Here is my third Scout. It is a 1977 International Scout II 4x4.

Unlike my first two Scouts, this one came with minimal options. It has a 304 V8, manual 4 speed, manual hubs, no tilt or AC. I bought it (in the summer of 2000) for two reasons: It had a perfect grill and the soft top was nearly new. I plan to use the top with my first Scout as an option, but only after I figure out how to install it without drilling any holes or defacing the originality of it in any way, while retaining the ability to easily remove it and switch to the hard top. I want to keep the hard top the standard, so it retains its value. So what is the fate of this Scout? Unfortunately, as you can more easily see in the photograph below, the other side doesn't look so good.

The underside is so badly rusted that it is sagging in the middle. It's too bad too, because this Scout came with good documentation and many receipts. The evidence indicates it was purchased new in San Antonio, Texas, migrated to Kansas, then to an Air Force base in South Dakota. Around 1990 it moved to Minnesota. Thanks to all the salt used in this state, I'm sure that's when it's decomposition began. It has 238,000 miles on it and was well maintained mechanically. This will be a good one for parts for my other Scouts. The grill, lenses, seats, bumper and new exhaust systems have already been used for this purpose. It still runs as of the day I am updating this (3/21/2002). I have to admit I'll be a little saddened the day I use a component that permanently disables it. The manual transmission sure is a lot of fun. Someday I'll have to come up with some plans for its use.

Here is my fourth Scout. It is a 1976 International Scout II 4x4.

This Scout is in mediocre shape. It is a 345 V8 automatic with a nice blue interior, good automatic hubs, reinforced suspension, and original chrome rims. The chrome on the sides was so good I removed it for the sake of preservation. Unfortunately it needs some bodywork and already has body filler in many places. Additionally, the engine won't rotate 360 degrees. Once I have the engine analyzed, I will decide what to do with it. I may snatch the good 304 V8 from the previous Scout, remove some of it's good blue interior parts (save for the good Scouts with blue) and use it as a rough truck. It could be restored, but would be quite expensive, and wouldn't likely have the time to do it myself.

This is my fifth Scout to acquire. It is a 1978 International Scout II 4x4.

I picked this Scout up for one reason... the engine. This is a low mileage Minnesota Scout that was parked in the 1980's due to extensive rust damage. I used its 304 V8 engine and transmission in my first Scout. I purchased it in the fall of 2000 and drove it home in this condition. I could feel some bowing action in the middle as I slowly drove it home with my dad following as an escort. Of course, it will provide me with numerous other parts. Yes, the hole you see in front of the back tire, is the complete absence of a portion of the fender and floor.

My sixth Scout is a 1976 International Scout Traveler 4x4.

Over all, this Scout is in decent shape. It had been restored about ten years ago. It now has on some rust on the left rear fender behind the door, needs to be touched up in a couple of other places, and then repainted. Otherwise this Scout is in great shape.

My seventh Scout is a 1975 International Scout II 4x4.

I Basically rescued this Scout from going to the junk yard. It had been rolled back in the mid 1980s. It is slightly bent towards the passenger side along the top of the front window, misaligning and slightly bending the driver side door. As you can see there are dents all over it, however the rust underneath is minimal. It would basically require a new exterior, so I have no plans for restoring it. The engine does not run, but it appears to have had fairly low miles on it, so it should provide numerous good parts.

My eighth Scout is a 1976 International Scout Terra 4x4.

I always hoped to have a Scout Terra in my collection. I picked it up for a low price and hope to restore it someday. It is very rusty, but has no dents and has an exceptionally nice blue interior. It has a manual four speed transmission with a 304 V8 engine that runs great.

My ninth Scout is a 1975 International Scout short top 4x4.

This is an interesting and different Scout to add to my collection. It is very rusty, but I got it for a low price. It has a manual three speed transmission with a 196 four cylinder engine with only 72,000 actual miles and runs great!

My tenth Scout is a 1976 International Scout Traveler Rallye 4x4.

The rockers are rusted away and the rear quarters are rusted on this Scout. This Scout is otherwise in good shape. Because of the extensive body work required to restore it, I will likely use it to provide parts for my other restorations.

My eleventh Scout is a 1979 International Scout Traveler Rallye 4x4.

The body on this Scout is very nice. It came from out west where they don't use salt on the roads. Since it is so clean I thought it would be a good one to use some of the excellent mechanical parts from the rust bucket Scouts I have. It is a 345 V8 automatic. It even has an original 8 track player. The fact that it has the Rallye package with a decent interior is also a nice plus. It's 4 bbl carb is great for pulling stuff!

My twelveth Scout is a 1978 International Scout II 4x4.

The body on this Scout is also very nice. It too came from out west where they don't use salt on the roads. It has a 345 V8 engine and a blue interior. The water pump gasket leaks. Other than that it works great!

How did I get interested in Scouts?

Dad's Scout is a 1978 International Scout II 4x4.

(I plan on putting a photograph here soon.)

He is the original owner of this 1978 Scout II, with a 345 V8 automatic. He has taken exceptional care of this excellent 4x4. It has approximately 140,000 miles on it. I have always liked it and have an appreciation for its quality mechanical workmanship. The body is quite another story, however. His Scout's body has been completely redone. The rear fenders are now galvanized and the front floor is made of galvanized plate steel. Now it stands up to the Minnesota salt quite well.

Something is more important than Scouts.

Although I have an appreciation for International Scouts, it would be unfortunate if I did not mention what is by far exceedingly more important that any Scout... or anything for that matter. Someday each of our lives on this earth will end. Do you have things in order from an eternal perspective? I can't take any of my Scouts with me to heaven, but I could see you there, but only if you know Jesus Christ as your personal savior. If you haven't already, please put your faith in Him and ask Him to forgive your sins. Learn to get to know Him better by reading your Bible every day and praying to Him for wisdom and understanding. Applying what you learn will change your life for good, both now and for eternity. This is not to say that this life will get any easier, in fact it could get harder. You will, however, know the Truth, which will set you free. There is nothing better than this. Get a Bible and start reading the books of John and Romans first and read as God leads. Find a good supportive church where the whole Bible is taken seriously, and make some good friends. Just think, these are people that will be your friends forever if they really have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, too.

May God bless you.

-Lance

-PS If you would like to buy or sell real estate in Minnesota, please e-mail me. I'm a licensed Realtor!

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