Opinions Please

[Jim Ross]

OK, I'm new to this forum, and to Scouts in general. I bought my Terra two years ago and am finally ready to get it back on the road. It's bed was totally rusted out, so I have a nice flatbed for it. It came with a worn out 727 auto, which I had rebuilt. I am also picking up a manual this weekend (four speed with diesel bell housing) Here is the place where you all get to weigh in....
Is it worth the effort to put in the manual tranny? (clutch assembly, linkage, flywheel, etc?)
The suspension is standard and all the shocks are mismatched (it was used in a wrecking yard, I think)
Is it worthwhile to add a 2.5 or 4 inch suspension lift?
Thanks for the input. Lets get this forum buzzing!

[Eldon McFarling]

Howdy Jim,

Welcome to the club.


Myself I prefer a manual tranny so that would be my vote. It sounds like a NA engine? In that case a manual tranny makes it more driveable compared to the auto. it shouldn't be all that complicated, just a matter of rounding up all the parts you need. There are a few times the auto works out better, if you have some physical limitations and can't work the clutch for instance, but most often the manual works out a whole lot better in the Diesel Scout.

I don't have alot to offer on the suspension lift part. Lots of folks do them, I guess it depends on how you plan to use the Scout.

Eldon

[Tony]

I would put in the manual tranny.Mine has a manual trany and the low gears make it great ffor crawling or in my case pulling firewood logs out of the woods. Not big logs 18 inches or so on the butt and 30 feet long but I bet your auto wouldn't stand up to that very long. I use it for hunting also the wife and I used it and the winch to bull a black bear out of the boonies . Just depends on what your going to use it for. I also have a worn out stock suspension, which needs to be upgraded. I'd be interested in seeing your flat bed for your terra. The body is gone on mine and Im going to cut it off behind the step up and put a flat bed on it so if you have pics post them up!! Tony

[Jim Ross]

OK, I got the manual tranny. The spline is different than that on the auto. The adapter plate that the starter mounts doesn't fit. The unit is shorter, so right now, just to get back to square one, I need
flywheel with ring gear
clutch and pressure plate
engine to tranny adapter
helical gear, or maybe different t-case
new drivelines

this is too much!
I'm going to part the thing out and spend my very limited energy elsewhere.
so.. you guys have first dibs
1975 scout terra
chrysler-nissan diesel. It ran fine when I drove it home two years ago
automatic tranny
4 speed
7' x 5.5' flatbed
utility rack

the metal behind the cab is trashed. the bed was totally rusted out. Cab is fine, bench seat is pretty much toast. Axles 3.54. I have the rear tailgate, but it is not in very good shape.
drivers door has crease, passenger door fine.
If you have any interest, let me know and I'll throw up some pics.