LD`s Custom Scout II

[ihojeff]

Originally Posted by Rock Tractor

Lookin Awesome Jeff

Thanks Mike!

Originally Posted by Bill USN-1

Nice build.
I'm really interested in the top.
I used to love to go topless in the summer but after building a full cage it is so hard to remove the inner panels and side bolts now that I rarely remove it. I have thought about notching the fiberglass inner panels at each bolt but I hate to modify them.
Have you worked out an easier method or just plan to leave it stock?

The plan is to leave it stock. The downside to this cage being so tight to the hard top is that it will make it very difficult to remove the side panels in order to access the hard top bolts.

Originally Posted by INFINIT

Amen! As long as it has 4 cylinders, short shift trans and a turbo......... Speaking of which, my bro just picked up a '65 sport-top from your bro. He's been talking restore. I need to talk to him

That front bumper is hot.... Allows plenty of airflow through the grill

That Sportop would make an awesome builder.

Originally Posted by 23109c

Jeff, would you please stop posting all this eye candy. You know I'm indecisive when it comes to the Scout and this stuff does not help. Once again, beautiful work.

Thanks. If this helps any with your decision we do accept all four major credit cards, checks, and cash.

[ihojeff]

Now for a long overdue update. We finished up the front bumper. Mounted smaller driving lights to the bumper and filled in the open area to cover up the mounts. The inside of the bumper got plated for extra strength. For as strong as this bumper is it only weighs 73 pounds .

[ihojeff]

One last picture of the bumper with the shackles installed. The shackle mounts(sometimes known as a clevis) was welded to the inside of the frame for the ultimate in strength.



We started the rear tire carrier by first building a custom hinge. I've seen and heard of too many of the trailer spindle type hinges breaking so I wanted to make sure that the hinge was held in double shear. We used new bearings from a closed knuckle Dana44 front axle as they were on the shelf and fit close to the material we were using.

[ihojeff]

We welded in a receiver hith to the rear bumper and highly reinforced it to the bumper mounts. With this set-up all the weight when towing will be off of the bumper mounts as opposed to the bumper itself.



The tire rack was fabbed from 2" tube sleeved with 1 3/4" tube for extra strength and was built to go accross the full length of the rear bumper.

[ihojeff]

Here are more pictures of the rear tire carrier. We made a spring loaded latch so the rack will auto lock when shut. The stinger pointing back to the tailgate helps prevent the rack from shaking but also helps keep the rack in the shut position.

[ihojeff]

We built rear quarter panel guards that are removable.




At this point it was time to remove the body from the frame and put it back on our roller chassis in order to send it off to paint.





The cage was removed for some final welding.

[ihojeff]

We welded on a couple more gussets to the front body mounts.



With the body off we were able to finish off the exhaust tail pipes. With the limited room around the rear suspension and the 2.5" tail pipes we had no choice but to route the exhaust thru the frame .

[ihojeff]

We fabbed up a mount for the hilift jack to mount to the roll cage.



Here's a couple of random pics.




This brings us up to date.

[ihojeff]

Work has continued on with lots of progress. Fuel and brakelines were prerouted on the frame. The bumpers, roll cage, sliders, and other misc parts were sent off to powdercoat. Those parts came out looking awesome! A better picture of the thru frame exhaust. The fuel pump assembly was modified some more so quick disconnect fittings could be added in for easier service of the assembly.

[ihojeff]

With all the fabrication complete the chassis was stripped down to a bare frame.






The main body was picked up from my buddy Mike the painter. Mike layed down one of the flatest paint jobs that I've seen in awhile.

[ihojeff]

The frame was sanded, primed, and then painted semi-gloss black.

[ihojeff]

And finally the reassembly begins.

[76 Patriot]

Man, that is some beautiful work!

[Scouty]

Way to go Jeff, the quality is second to non . Can't wait to see it all finished. Louis is going to be one happy Scout owner. If you don't come home with multiple awards from Ohio, something is seriously wrong .

[ihojeff]