Common problems · 1971–80
International Scout II problems: 8 things to check
The problems owners and specialists flag most on the International Scout II, the repairs they end up doing and what those cost, plus the years and recalls to watch. Sourced, not scraped.
International Scout II problems to check before you buy
- Structural rust firstScouts were never fully galvanized. Corsetti Cruisers says to start with the rear spring mounts, the body mounts and the area under the doors. Structural rust around the rear crossmember or along the inner rockers can mean a full rebuild. Surface rust is manageable.
- Look under bedliners and fresh paintIn one Scout II rebuild reported on the 4WD Mechanix forum, a previous owner's bedliner reportedly hid so much floor rust that the repair ran past budget. Front fenders, door sills and the tailgate area hold moisture and can hide filler.
- Frame cracks at the steering boxThe frame is prone to fatigue cracks where the steering box bolts on, behind the front spring hangers and at the body mounts. Pull the box (three bolts) or at least inspect the welds, especially on a truck with big tires.
- Panel gaps aren't always crash damageScouts were hand-assembled with wide, uneven gaps even when new. Very uneven panels, doors that won't close properly or messy welds can still point to a bent frame or a poor repair.
- VIN tags, title and line ticketCheck for a clean title and matching VIN tags on the chassis and body. The line ticket (the factory build sheet) lists the engine, transmission, axles, gear ratio, paint and options. On 1971–76 trucks it's under the hood on the cowl; on 1977–80 trucks it's inside the glove box door. Replacements can be ordered.
- Which front axle?Dana 44 axles became standard on all Scout IIs after 1974. Compare the covers: if the front cover is smaller and rounder than the rear, it's a Dana 30. The line ticket also shows the axle, the ratio and whether there's a Trac-Lok rear.
- Engine swaps and wiringMany Scouts now have LS or other swaps. Check the wiring, cooling and driveline geometry; Corsetti warns that amateur conversions cause endless electrical and mechanical trouble. Look under the dash and around the firewall for brittle, patched factory wiring.
- Diesels and small partsThe SD33 diesels are rare and interesting. IH Parts America still lists filters, water pumps and seals for them. Dash pads, gauge clusters and original seat frames are hard to find for any Scout II, so price those in.
The repairs International Scout II owners end up doing
| REPAIR | SYMPTOMS | DIFFICULTY | TIME | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor, rocker and rear crossmember rust repair | Bubbling under the doors, soft or holed floors, a sagging door opening, water on the carpets, and rust at the rear spring mounts and rear crossmember. | 4 / 5 | ≈ Several weekends, depending on how far it goes | Panels from about $89 (outer rocker) to $1,429.95 (complete aftermarket rear floor), plus welding |
| Reinforce a cracking steering-box frame mount | Wandering steering, a box that moves when someone turns the wheel with the engine running, or visible cracks in the frame rail around the three steering-box bolts. Big tires and front lockers make it worse. | 3 / 5 | ≈ Half a day, more if cracks need welding | Plate $16.95; Straight Steer brace about $164.95–199 |
| Rear main seal on an IH V8 | Oil dripping from the bellhousing area and a wet oil pan rear lip. The engine-to-transmission joint is the giveaway, since valve-cover and pan-gasket leaks run down from higher up. | 4 / 5 | ≈ A weekend (the transmission has to come out) | Seal $69.95 plus spacer; full V8 gasket set about $162 |
| Points or tired electronic ignition → Pertronix | Hard starting, misfires, burnt points, or a failing stock electronic module that's hard to find. | 2 / 5 | ≈ 1–2 hours | Module about $144.95–196; coil extra |
| Front ball joints (Dana 30 / Dana 44) | Wandering, clunks over bumps, uneven tire wear, and play at the top and bottom of the tire with the front end jacked up. | 3 / 5 | ≈ A day for both sides | About $157 per side (Spicer pair) or $49.95 per joint (Moog greaseable) |
| Front disc brakes, wheel bearings and seals | Pulling, a soft pedal, grinding, or play in the wheel. Even when new, the brakes were the weak point: Motor Sport's 1978 test said they tended to pull and twitch. | 3 / 5 | ≈ A day | About $350 for a complete front disc kit; wheel bearing kit $74.95 |
| Tired leaf springs and shackle bushings | A truck that sits low or leans, clunks from the shackles, tires rubbing on 31s, and a harsh ride. | 3 / 5 | ≈ A weekend | Bushing kit $33.95; stock-height spring set $819.95; reverse-shackle kit $349.95 |
Each repair links to a step-by-step guide with tools, part numbers and where to buy the parts.
Take the printable International Scout II inspection checklist: every check on this page plus the model-specific ones, on one sheet. Get the checklist →
Sourced from owners, specialists and factory documents; full sources are on the International Scout II guide. Verify torque figures and procedures against the factory service manual (disclaimer).