Re: [ihc] Possible Scout purchase - advice requested

["Ryan Moore" <baradium@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Bongo" <dbongo@domain.elided>
To: "Ryan Moore" <baradium@domain.elided>
Cc: "IHC Digest" <ihc-digest@domain.elided>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 19:59
Subject: Re: [ihc] Possible Scout purchase - advice requested


>
>
> Ryan Moore wrote:
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "David Bongo" <dbongo@domain.elided>
> > To: "IHC Digest" <ihc-digest@domain.elided>
> > Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 16:00
> > Subject: [ihc] Possible Scout purchase - advice requested
> >
> >
> > Grand cherokee, IE the little one?     An 800 is around the size of one
of
> > the old original series broncos.
>
> Regular Cherokee.  It's a '99 RHD Cherokee.  Not a GRAND Cherokee, the
> next size down.  The one that was just replaced with the Liberty.  And
> while I appreciate the reference to the Bronco, I haven't gotten a good
> look at one in years, so that comparison isn't helping me much.
>

A few inches off of the scout II on the inside and you lose the space behind
the rear tires on the back basically.  Also, the wheel wells on the inside
are benches running the entire length of the back.

> >
>
> I think John said this has 4.88 gears, but that's totally off of my
> (usually faulty) memory.
>

That'll give you a theoretical top speed around 70 mph or so. maybe 75.  If
the engine has the oomph it should move along at a fairly decent clip.

> > > _IF_ I have a problem with that engine or transmission, how difficult
is
> > > it to get repairs done?  (In the Scout II I have a 258 with a 727, and
I
> > > wanted that combo for this reason.)
> >
> > Don't know about the b/w auto, but the 152 should be easy to get repairs
on,
> > it's simply half a 152 so pretty much all the parts are bolt up.
> >
> > > I've already asked about making some changes to the truck.  Front Disc
> > > brakes are, IMHO, required for mail delivery.  Better performance,
> > > easier maintainence.  John can do the conversion, but feels that
adding
> > > a power booster would be unnecessary at that stage.  What are your
> > > thoughts on that?
> >
> > He's probobly right,  I know full sized pickups with manual brakes and
even
> > with discs up front.   I personally don't know if discs would be
extremely
> > important just because it seems like it's lasted this long as a mail rig
> > with front drums, but that's your call
> >
>
> I've driven an old mail jeep with 4 wheel drums, and the experience was
> less than satisfying, shall we say?  Again, it's a safety/performance
> issue.  I'm not worried about getting up to 90MPH, but I've got to be
> able to stop.

That's your choice of course.  I've never had bad experience with drums all
around, prefer disks, but the drums have worked for what I've used them for.
Although I imagine it's a bit different with the constand stop and go
driving of a mail route.


> > >
> > > Power Steering should not a problem.  Additional fuel capacity (I
think
> > > it's got a 10 gallon tank right now) shouldn't be an issue, and the
> > > vaccuum wipers can be upgraded to electric.
> > >
> > > What's it like getting parts for the rear brakes?  My understanding is
> > > the 152 is 1/2 of a 304, but are there any exotic parts that are
unique
> > > to the 152?  At some point in the future I may run into problems with
> > > the engine.  Would a 196 be a feasible replacement, or am I married to
> > > the 152?
> >
> > The transmission will be 152 specific.  However, I imagine that since
the
> > B/W have a removable bellhousing that it's simply the bellhousing in
your
> > case that will be unique.  I think essentially everything else is 304
except
> > the obvious stuff like the crank and cam.
> >
> > Anyone remember if the 800 152 and 196 tilt are the same?  If they are
the
> > same in an 800 you could bolt a 196 right up.
>
> Would it be possible to transplant a 727 into this rig, then?  Since
> there are 196-powered 727 rigs out there?
>

Only if you plan to change the tilt of the motor, scout II's use a different
tilt than the scout 800s.

> >
> > >
> > > Honestly, the more I think about it, the fewer problems I can find
with
> > > this plan.  I'm looking for reasons to NOT do this.  Since I really
> > > can't find any, I feel like I'm missing something.  I'm trusting John
> > > that the vehicle is in great shape.  Any specific questions I should
ask
> > > him?  Any feedback on this, any at all, would be greatly appreciated.
> > >
> > > Dave
> >
> > Well, he does list a scout II too if you are worried about keeping part
> > interchageability....
> >
>
> It's not part interchangeability I'm worried about, really.  It's
> availability.  And buying that Scout II puts me in the same boat I'm in
> now.  Acquisition costs aside, the most appealing thing about the 800 is
> the projected gain in fuel economy.  (The galvanized body is a close
> 2nd, though.)  I'm getting about 7MPG with the Scout.  (I've got the
> last 37 fill-ups tracked, with a total average of 7.516MPG, but it's
> 7.013 for the last 20.  I'm on track to spend almost $2000 on gas per
> year.)

Keep in mind, the 800 won't get that 20mpg figure on a mail run.

> > I've been told that the B/W auto still has parts availible so I wouldn't
> > wory too much on that end.   Havn't heard of anyone ever having trouble
> > finding 152 parts either.
> >
> > Keep us updated with what you decide on the matter.  Are you
contemplating
> > ditching the cherokee completely?
> >
>
> Yes.  That's what makes this plan work, actually.  I can sell that for a
> fair bit more than the 800 will cost.  Which would then be used to add
> seats and A/C to the Scout II (maybe even fuel injection - since it'll
> be a "normal" car I might want the performance boost.)

Oooh.... A/C....  chilly...  You could also consider a progressive weber
2bbl carb... have heard that the guys with the 4 and 6cyls love those
things.

> And like I told John, I'm coming here for advice, so you guys will know
> the decision I make.  Be it good or bad.
>
> Dave

Thanks,
Ryan


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.576 / Virus Database: 365 - Release Date: 1/30/04