Date: Mon, 06 Dec 2004 13:53:58 -0700
From: Latham Jenkins <latham@domain.elided>
Subject: [ihc] Snowplow for 79' Scout II
I need a snowplow solution for a 1979 Scout II. Any recommendations?
Latham,
Build one from scratch and then for the next year you will see one a
week for less than $400. That is close to my experience. I bought a Meyers
plow and lift pump at an auction during the summer figuring that I would
easily find the mounting bracket in a junkyard, online or thru Hemmings. I
looked for a year and a half but never found one. Saw a few damaged frames
and homebrew welded on designs but nothing that didn't look like it would
hurt my Scout II. Eventually I built mounting brackets that are based on
the line drawings Meyers faxed me from an installation instruction sheet
they had. I attached it to the frame in the same way and at the same places
they did.
Of course the summer after I built it, I kept seeing ads where someone
bought a Scout II but wanted to get rid of the "looks like it has never been
used Meyer/Western/Fischer plow" that came with it. Haven't seen any lately
but haven't been looking either. You might run a parts wanted ad on the
Binder Bulletin.
I can't tell you how many people have told me that they used to plow
with a Scout or Scout II and just can't believe how much that little truck
could push. Then they usually mention that the body pretty much disappeared
and there aren't too many Scouts around anymore.
At first, the box frame concerned me. It is much easier to design and
attach a plow bracket to a C-channel frame because you can basically bolt on
to it without being concerned about crushing the frame and you can pretty
much torque it down with impunity. At Nats, I've had a few fellows tell me
"you're going to rip your frame apart" or "you'll destroy your Scout in two
years max." But after four 100+ inch winters, everything is still looking
good. Maybe they plow like maniacs or they don't know what they were
talking about. Perhaps I've just been lucky. I've can push piles as high
as the hood, I keep my speed reasonable and watch out around solid objects.
It is absolutely a blast! - but if you plow snow, you already know this.
Good luck finding the parts you need, Mike
"If I ever decide to spend more than my truck's worth to make it worth even
less, I know how to do it."
- Cory Farley [AutoWeek Vol. 54 Issue 40,
www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=100901]