1976 Scout II Patriot

[76 Patriot]

I guess I'll start. My build is nothing special. I just want a nice looking, wheelable, streetable Scout. I don't go to any extremes, but my primary goal for this rig is the 'Con. I last went thru the Rubicon trail with my dad when I was 15 or so, and I've longed to go back ever since. I'll just say life got in the way.

I run a 392 motor, 727 auto, Dana 20, 44's with 3.73's (open) and 35's. I was running the stock 345 but spun the center cam bearing, twice, and the 392 was a freebie. I am currently running the 2bbl manifold with the 2210C carb so it will smog, but I long for MPFI. This motor is suffocating. I've jetted the carb using #502 jets from the 4bbl that came with the 392, but I need to go a little bigger. Gas mileage sucks.

I am running a D&C cut and turned front housing, SOA and RS set-up with stock Scout II springs, and I'm pretty happy with it so far. I converted to disks in the rear using the TSM kit.

Other upgrades include a red top Optima, re-wiring the engine compartment using an idea stolen from Doc Stewart on the BB, remote voltage sensing with a voltmeter as recommended by MAD Wiring, Halogen headlights and LED turn, tail, brake and marker lights. I built some custom sliders/steps from a roll bar and diamond plate 'cause I had a hard time getting in it. I touched up my stripe decals with rattlecan paint to get them back to the correct color.

That's about it so far. I am currently working on high steer using IH 8-lug flat top knuckles (I'll be calling soon Jeff for some hardware), A winch bumper for the front, a bumper and swing-away for the rear, and I'm going over design options for a cage.

Here are some current pics from this past weekend in the High Lakes area above Magalia, Ca. You can use the picture in my sig line as a 'before' reference. This picture was taken before most of the upgrades listed.