1976 International Scout II

Motorcar Studio is pleased to offer this 1976 International Scout II, a great looking and highly upgraded truck just completed by noted Scout specialist The Scoutman. We love...

Motorcar Studio is pleased to offer this 1976 International Scout II, a great looking and highly upgraded truck just completed by noted Scout specialist The Scoutman. We love vintage 4x4 trucks around here, but as great as they are, the driving dynamics are decidedly antique. They're perfectly fine as a nice-weather weekend driver, which is how most people enjoy them, but can be impractical to live with for everyday use.

What if you could have all of that vintage style but with a modern drivetrain, good brakes, custom suspension, three-point seat belts front and rear, a great stereo and cold A/C?

That's what you get with this Scout II, which has a fuel-injected LS engine under the hood mated to an overdrive automatic transmission plus a complete steering, brake and suspension overhaul with many upgrades to enhance drivability. Oh, and it looks great, too. Finished in Cavalry Blue with a black soft top, plus a black rallye stripe, Mickey Thompson 17-inch wheels and GRC front and rear bumpers. Good paint, body and panel gaps throughout. Nicely detailed underneath with no known rust issues.

Interior is tastefully finished with saddle brown seat upholstery and door panels, plus a GRC extended roll bar with three-point seat belts (both front and rear), a locking center console with cupholders and matching upholstered armrest, custom dash with full Dakota Digital instrumentation, and a Kenwood double-din stereo with backup camera discreetly installed in the tire carrier. With the stereo plus Memphis Audio speakers and an 8-inch sub carefully integrated in the passenger side inner quarter, sound quality is excellent. All wiring is new with LED lighting upgrades inside and out. All new air conditioning system running R134a blows ice cold (heat/defrost work well, too).

But as sharp as this truck presents cosmetically, the drivetrain and suspension are what really set this Scout apart. Under the hood is a GM LS-based LQ9 6.0 liter fuel injected V8 freshly overhauled with a Thumpr cam, LS7 lifters, new GM Performance valve springs, new valve stem seals, plus new piston rings, rod bearings, main bearings and oil pump. The LS engine (estimated at more than 350 horsepower) is mated to a 4L60E overdrive automatic transmission with an NP208 transfer case, custom front and rear driveshafts and rebuilt 3.73 axles. New Warn manual locking front hubs.

This Scout is running a 2-inch Skyjacker softride lift with stock shackles (new bushings) and Bilstein shocks -- with 33-inch tires, the result is a ride height that's a little more aggressive than stock, but still easy to get in and out of. Front axle cut and turn means no bump steer or adverse handling characteristics due to the lift. Complete front end rebuild with heavy duty drag link and tie rod from GRC and Skyjacker pittman arm results in more precise steering than your typical Scout. Brakes have also been fully overhauled with new front calipers, rotors and pads and new rear drums, shoes and springs plus all new hoses, stainless steel lines and hydroboost power assist for excellent stopping ability.

The result is a Scout that runs, drives, steers and stops far better than usual, all with modern safety and convenience features that today's drivers expect. The performance and driving dynamics (step on the gas and this truck will go) really brought smiles to our faces. It was hard to give back the keys after our initial test drive.

This LS-swapped Scout II offers a rare opportunity to own a bespoke truck for considerably less than the cost to build one. For more information about this 1976 International Scout II LS for sale at Motorcar Studio in Atlanta, please call 404-692-5250.