Looking to buy an older 4x4. Anybody have opinions on which to get?

[2Gunz]

Needs to be pre 1973 as I believe thats the smog cutoff in California.

I had a CJ-5 jeep and loved it. But im looking for something bigger this time around.

Currently Im thinking about getting a 70-73 scout.

Anybody know of a good scout forum?

What other options are there?

And why?

[squeakfinder]

Internationals are strange vehicles. They don't seem to sell for much as a whole. But some of the parts just as well be gold plated.

I would be looking at a Blazer or Jimmy. There stout rigs, parts are plentiful, and 74 and older models have the full convertable tops.

Check out Colorado K5. com. 

[68rt]

how a bout a ramcharger good trucks

[Manfred318]

Internationals are strange vehicles. They don't seem to sell for much as a whole. But some of the parts just as well be gold plated.

Scouts are great vehicles we have had several over the years and you cant hardly kill those things. The major problem with them is rust, especially in the floor pans and rockers. The last one I had was a '78 that had an early '60s 392 in it with a 727 auto. It was fun what little I got to drive it. I was scared shitless I was going to fall through the floor board or what little was left of it anyways. I ended up selling it for $500 after the transmission locked up in it.

how a bout a ramcharger good trucks

That would also be a good choice if you want something a tad bigger than a Scout, but they didnt start makeing those until 1974 which would not do any good for the smog cutoff. Not to mention the first gen Ramchargers are pretty hard to come by. At least around here anyways.

[Dave22443]

How about an early Ford Bronco?  A friend of mine had one with a 302 in it and that thing was a blast to drive.  The top was removable and off road ability was outstanding.

Very simular to a Scout of the same timeframe and parts are a lot easier to get.

[Chargen69]

My brother had a scout.  It was a lot of fun, small block with a 727 trans.

bad rust though, sure enough.

[speedfreak68]

ill second the ford bronco idea but if it has a newer 302 in it would it then have to have smog stuff?

[mikepmcs]

how a bout a ramcharger good trucks

unfortunately, as Manfred318 stated above, the RC was built from 1974 -1993 and the plymouth version(trailduster) was from 1974-1981

He's looking for pre 1973.  I'd be afraid of the scout due to parts availability and reasonable pricing for said parts.

But of course there is the old Dodge Power Wagon

I guess the only other thing that comes to mind in the time frame would be a ford bronco.

[derailed]

How about an early Ford Bronco?  A friend of mine had one with a 302 in it and that thing was a blast to drive.  The top was removable and off road ability was outstanding.

Very simular to a Scout of the same timeframe and parts are a lot easier to get.

That would be my vote as well. Fun vehicle and hard to kill.

[bull]

I've owned two Scouts (a 73 and a 79) and an IH pickup (71). Saying Scouts suffer from rust is like saying 68 Mustangs, Camaros and Chargers suffer from rust. It's like, no kidding? Anything old had issues with rust depending on where it came from. None of the IHs I owned had rust problems. The worst thing about Scouts IMO is the fuel mileage. They are very heavy and heavy duty and not built for fuel economy. There are reasonably-priced parts galore for them but virtually everything is going to be used instead of NOS or reproduction.

Check this: http://www.superscoutspecialists.com/store/

I don't know much about comperable Broncos but I do know the CJ5s are a lot lighter and therefore get better fuel economy. I loved my Scouts and Lord willing I'll be getting another one again someday, probably after I retire.

[jlb1pi]

Currently any car 1975 or older is exempt from smog inspections in California...that should give you a couple of more years to play with.
I say currently because that is subject to change at DMV's whims....for a while they had a "rolling" 25 year cutoff, which was great.
However they went to this flat '75 or older about 9 months before my 77 Dodge Colt Coupe would have been eligible for exemption!
 

Here's the link for smog exemptions:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2536


Here's the section, copied and pasted verbatim:
Does my vehicle qualify for a smog exemption?
Smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is:

Hybrid
1975 year model or older
Diesel powered
Electric
Natural gas powered and has a Gross Vehicle Weight rating of 14,001 lbs. or more.
Motorcycle
Trailer

Jer.

[mikepmcs]

In that case I throw the Ramcharger back in the mix.

[Manfred318]

In that case I throw the Ramcharger back in the mix.

[CaptMarvel]

Pre-80's I'd say you really only have a few honorable choices in 4x4s. They would be Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep and International (in that order) The reason being that up to that time, they were the only ones with long standing and continual experiance in the 4x4 field. Sorry, and its not just Mopar bias, but the 40's-70's Chevy & Fords cant begin to compare with their contemporary Power Wagons. Ive owned at least one of all of those makes, during those model years and have to say, I really wasnt disappointed with any of them. The IH's are kind of oddball as stated above,  but I loved my old 70 Scout....and the old Jeep Gladiator and Honcho pickups are 4x4 monsters, love them all....