The Diesel Scout 800 on a Jeep JKU Chassis

This Diesel-Powered Scout 800 Has A Surprise and It Starts with The Letters JKU

Classic 4WD, like Defenders, Broncos, FJs and Scouts, are all the rage right now. Driving a boxy all-metal 4×4 mechanical beast, with little in the way of creature comforts, makes a statement amongst the plethora of plastic-clad computer controlled “soft-roaders” that have flooded the automotive market recently. The back-to-basics mechanical systems can be worked on in your home garage and you’re sure to turn heads no matter where you go.

New Legend 4×4 is revitalizing classic 4WD vehicles, and taking them to all new heights of refinement, performance and capability, while still keeping the classic looks, mechanical driving experience and sprinkling in a few creature comforts, where appropriate.

The company is passionate about preserving and elevating the functionality of classic 4x4s, and the company’s roots start with the parts, service and restoration company Anything Scout. Over time, customers demanded higher levels of refinement, performance and ability in their classic restorations, and eventually those demands surpassed the capacity of the underpinnings and systems of the original vehicles.

“Under that beautifully restored sheet metal you’ll find the new Cummins R2.8 Turbo Diesel crate motor.”

Restored & Refined

In order to meet customer’s demands, New Legend started integrating modern parts and systems, while retaining the classic vehicle’s looks and style. It uses OEM and top aftermarket engineering to breathe new life and performance into classic 4×4 legends. In the end, the vehicles that New Legend 4×4 creates provide a modern driving feel while also giving a driving experience that just can’t be had in modern vehicles.

New Legend’s most recent build is this truly one of a kind 1967 Scout 800. It might just look like a nicely restored classic Scout from the outside, but underneath the gorgeous sheet metal you’re sure to find more than one surprise. The body, dash and seats are all original restored Scout 800, but everything else has been upgraded and refined. If you truly love the classic International Scout 800, but want the capabilities and ride characteristics of a modern 4WD, you might have just found your own personal automotive nirvana with this build. Nirvana doesn’t come cheap, however, as this build will set you back about $100,000.

Cummins R2.8

The big story is what you find when you pop the hood. Under that beautifully restored sheet metal you’ll find the new Cummins R2.8 Turbo Diesel crate motor. New Legend 4×4 connected with Cummins at Overland Expo East 2016, where the two companies hatched a plan to put the first customer R2.8, Beta engine #1, into this Scout 800 build. The R2.8 finally provides vehicle builders with a quality new small turbo diesel engine swap option in North America.

The motor is a 171ci 4-cylinder that is turbocharged and puts out 161hp and 267lb-ft of torque. The R2.8 is fitted with a Bosch Electronic fuel system and weighs in at 503 pounds. Dimensions can be an issue with engine swaps, but the R2.8 should fit a wide variety of applications with its relatively small size; its svelte measurements of 28.3-inch height, 25-inch width and 25.1-inch depth place it at about the size of a large suitcase, hardly the expected size of a vehicle’s power plant. As expected, it fit the Scout 800 perfectly.

“The Scout 800 body and Cummins motor sit atop a new ‘16 Jeep JKU frame, with Rubicon D44 axels under it, which has been tweaked to make all the systems look and work well together.”

The motor comes ready to go with a bunch of included systems; power steering pump, 120amp alternator, vacuum pump, grid heater, passive diesel oxidation catalyst, universal wiring harness, engine control module, accelerator pedal, OBD port and digital J1939 display.

Fuel consumption with the Cummins R2.8 will vary widely with the vehicle application and gearing, but the New Legend Scout 800 with 4.10 gears and a vehicle weight of about 4,600 pounds has averaged mid-twenties mpg over its first 4,000 miles. New Legend says the install was extremely straightforward and the aftermarket support is already strong. Above all else, the Cummins R2.8 offers up plenty of fun when you mash the go pedal!

“It might just look like a nicely restored classic Scout from the outside, but underneath the gorgeous sheet metal you’re sure to find more than one surprise.”

The JKU Surprise

Another big surprise is the chassis that this vehicle is built upon. The Scout 800 body and Cummins motor sit atop a new ‘16 Jeep JKU frame, with Rubicon D44 axels under it, which has been tweaked to make all the systems look and work well together. The Jeep frame and modern axels, with E-Lockers, create a very capable, durable and customizable platform that allows the Scout to be taken to all-new heights of refinement.

One of the first things to tackle on any build like this is to make sure the suspension in setup properly for the vehicle’s intended use. In this case, a full AEV 2.5-inch lift kit was installed, which utilizes Bilstein shocks. This lift allows the Scout to have an aggressive, but not overly lifted, stance while also improving ride quality and handling characteristics, both on and off road. The lift also allows for a 33” tire to be mounted, in this case a 285/70-17 BF Goodrich MT. Jeep steel “Winter Wheels” were also installed to provide a durable, aggressive and classic look.

Upgrades & Accessories

This Scout is well sorted with upgraded exterior accessories, which help accentuate the classic lines of the Scout 800, while providing a more aggressive look and quality off-road protection, capability and storage. Bumpers, rock sliders and roof rack are all New Legend Workman Series parts, made specifically for the Scout 800.

Besides all the big impressive parts and features of this build it really comes down to all the little things that tie those big parts together and elevate the vehicle experience. A ride like this has to sound right, so a full custom 3-inch mandrel bent stainless exhaust from Jones was installed. The OEM Jeep Rubicon selectable E-Lockers in the D44 axels provide unmatched capability off-road, while full diff breathers and an ARB single air compressor round out the off-road accessories.

The interior looks and feels generally like a classic Scout 800, but there are a few things that standout from the original. The first is Duluth Pack rugged waxed canvas upholstery throughout, which gives the interior a rugged and classic look. The second thing you’ll notice is the twin sticks from the Atlas transfer case sticking through the floor, which gives you the ultimate off-road driving control. Other fine touches are the Tuffy center console, with hidden stereo head unit, and Focal speakers throughout, featuring a 10-inch back/flush mounted sub in the rear of the vehicle.

“In order to meet customer’s demands, New Legend started integrating modern parts and systems, while retaining the classic vehicle’s looks and style.”

Built for Five

Both function and looks are key to pulling off this impressive Scout 800 build, and New Legend has delivered on all of the above. The customer for this build has a family of five, but the typical Scout 800 only seats four. New Legend fabricated a custom jump seat in the rear of the Scout in order for the whole family to adventure together.

The soft-top on this build fits around the custom roof rack and perfectly hugs the custom roll cage, which was built to the original hardtop OD specs. The soft-top features roll up side and back windows, for that open air off-road motoring experience. The top pictured is a prototype, and will be replaced soon with a new production top, with some small refinements and higher quality stitching, that New Legend plans to offer to all its customers.

The finishing touch on this Scout 800 build is a beautifully integrated snorkel, which was hand crafted into the front fender. New Legend realizes that not everyone is a fan of snorkels, especially on vehicles like this where they can break up the clean classic lines of the original body. They built the system to be modular, and only require a replacement fender to be installed, a quick and easy process.

In The Works

While this Scout 800 build is impressive on all levels, New Legend 4×4 has no plans to stop here. Besides reimagining Scout II and Scout 800s, they also plan to modernize other classic 4×4 legends as well.

Expect to see Grand Wagoneers and Range Rover Classics out of the company soon. Also expect to see more interesting motor choices, and diesel fans can count on a continued relationship with Cummins.

“Driving a boxy all-metal 4×4 mechanical beast, with little in the way of creature comforts, makes a statement amongst the plethora of plastic-clad computer controlled “soft-roaders” that have flooded the automotive market recently.”

UPGRADES

New Legend 4×4 1967 Scout 800

Drivetrain:
Cummins R2.8 Turbo Diesel (Beta Engine #1), NV3550 5-speed Manual Trans, Atlas II 3.0 T-Case

Chassis:
2016 Jeep JKU “Outrider Chassis,” D44 Rubicon Axels with E-Lockers

Wheels & Tires:
JK Steel “Winter Wheels,” BFG MT 285/70/17

Suspension:
AEV 2.5” Suspension Lift

Exterior:
New Legend Custom Fit Soft Top w/Roll up Windows, New Legend Workman Series Front Winch Bumper/Rear Bumper with Tire Swingout/Sliders, New Legend Custom Snorkel, Trucklite Headlights, Putco Rear Bumper Lights

Interior:
Duluth Pack Rugged Waxed Canvas Upholstery, Custom Roll Cage, Focal Speakers, Tuffy Center Console, Custom Rear Jump Seat, SPod HD

Other Accessories:
Jones 3” Stainless Exhaust, Axis Industries Motor Mounts, E Lockers, Custom Diff Breathers, ARB Single Air Compressor