Scout 800 Body Removal or "Dream Project of the Week"

[Tom and Amanda Lang <rustnrot@domain.elided>]

I'm starting to dream about (nope, haven't reached the planning stage yet)
restification of my '66 Sportop.  Anyway, it sounds pretty easy to remove
the body and I have two engine cherry pickers.
Nick, can you elucidate on the below statements?

>Run a 4x4
>across the rear inner fenders where the hardtop bolts on, and a strap or
>chain to a cherry picker.

Do you mean bolt the 4x4 to the top of the inner fenders or to the top of
the quarter panels where the top bolts on, and furthermore, I assume you
remove the front clip and hardtop before you pull the tub also?

>In the front run one down the body mount
>under the radiator and pull it off.

So this 4x4 is under the cross piece that goes under the radiator?

Now, for some details on the "Dream Project of the Week"--my dream, this
might be a nightmare for others since it involves "rodding" a SporTop.
Firstly, I've done some checking and discovered that there are several
800's that originally came with the 4-cyl. that now have Chevy SB's in 'em.
 It appears SBCs fit pretty well because of their compact size where the
original 4-cyl was originally (totally unlike putting a huge I-H V-8 in an
original 800 4-cyl.)  Anyway, couple that engine with a 700R4, install a
D44 from a Scout II in the rear (converted to disc brakes).  What about the
front axle?  The SporTop I have is a 2wd model and has a beam front axle
with kingpins, etc.  It appears, from looking in rodder magazines, that a
Mustang II front independent suspension could be adapted to fit.  In doing
this, I would not have to rebuild the front axle, would have the discs on
the new front axle already with rack & pinion steering.  A new steering
column would be needed also.  Then air conditioning installed.  A set of
great seats.  What I would end up with is a *very* SporTop with more Sport
than utility.  In looking at the construction of the 800, it appears very
similar to cars and trucks of the '30's and '40's that are modified like I
described above.  Straight frame rails (29 inches clearance between),
already fully boxed . . .

Comments, thoughts anyone?

Tom Lang
Augusta, GA