UPDATE 8.12.24: Looks like the VinWiz tool I linked to here is down, and I have no idea if it will ever be back up. I can’t decode VIN numbers myself, so you’ll have to reach out to the Wisconsin Historical Society for deeper info.
One of the questions I’ve had about my FrankenScout since I got it has been what is original and what isn’t. I have the VIN from the title and the plate (which is screwed into the driver’s A pillar), and which most likely comes from the body itself. But what about the frame? is it original or a donor? If I send in for a lineset ticket, will it even be relevant to the jumble of parts I’ve got?
Browsing through Binder Planet last night, I stumbled on a post about the location of the frame serial and how it’s keyed to the last 8 digits of the VIN, so I picked up a scraper and headed out to the garage. I first looked in the wrong place (back behind the B body mount), but then found the right location after scraping off some engine grease: right in front of the driver’s firewall, forward of the hoist port, on the vertical rise.
As it turns out, the VIN screwed to this truck does not match the frame. Big surprise. Using a VIN decoder linked from the BP, the tub correctly dates to a ’76 model Scout II. But when I drop the eight numbers from the frame (Year, Plant, Line, serial) in front of the first five from the body (Model Year/Unused/Model/Model/Engine), I come up with a 1979 model year frame. Curious.
I suppose I could spend $100 on a lineset ticket to see if the VIN I’ve got on the title matches the tub (I know the original color of this tub, which is always on the lineset ticket), but its current location and method of attachment leads me to believe it may be from a third donor vehicle—one that had a clear title, and made it easy to register—and that would be money wasted.
UPDATE: Given the amount of people landing here, I should be clear in saying I’m not the author of the tool, I’m just linking to it. If you’ve got a 7-digit VIN, it won’t work for you (this rules out most Scout 80s and 800s, I think). Your best bet is to contact the Wisconsin Historical Society directly, or one of the Light Line Dealers listed in this link. Good luck!
UPDATE UPDATE: Folks, I don’t know how to decode 7-digit VINs. If you’re looking for more information on Scout 80/800’s, Click here to the Binder Planet, where there’s a serial number list available for download.
RichW says:
FYI, I moved the VIN decoder you mentioned to a new domain name. Its now at http://www.VINwiz.com
Glad you found it useful. I put a lot of work into the IHC decoder.
bill says:
Thanks! I appreciate the effort.
Eric Clow says:
Hey guys,
Not sure if this site is still active but I was hoping to get some help looking up what is stock and whats not on my titled 71 Scout II VIN: SN183880G459275. any information including a direction to look would be helpful. Thanks!
-E-
bill says:
Eric, try looking for a Line Set Ticket from Super Scout Specialists. It’s the build sheet IH used on the production line for each Scout, and should be available for ~$20 or so (providing your VIN is still tied to the frame).
Bob Mohl says:
I just bought a 1964 Scout 80 and was wondering where I may be able to get a build sheet or some information of its origination. The serial # is FC93780A.
Thank you for any help you can give me.
Lyle says:
I just purchaced a 1962 INT PKUP Vin # 1700S B2709 17F, I am getting ready to travel across the country to pick it up. However, I am trying to find out how to decode the VIN to find out as much info about it as I can. It is actually a Tow Truck with a Flat Bed tilt trailer and winch set up on it. Any info on decoding this VIN you can give me is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lyle
Clay Feller says:
I have a 66 scout that only has a 9 digit vin # FC150220A. Can you decode that and send the information to me? Thanks for your help!
mel silva says:
I have a Scout 80, and I would like to know what year it was made, you’re vin decoder said you needed a model. #FC116706A
mike says:
I have just bought a scout with no title but I did find the stamp on the frame it is fc11402 can any one tell me what year this should be was told when I bought it was a 66 or 67 but it has sliding front windows and was told it should be earlier
Juan Lugo says:
TENGO UN INTERNATIONAL SCOUT SERIAL VIN FC74887 AÑO 1963 PERO QUIERO ESTAR SEGURO DEL AÑO DE SU FABRICACION ESTA MUY BUENO DE TODO PERO QUIERO DAR FE DE SU HISTORIA COMPLETA, ME PUEDEN AYUDAR A ENCONTRAR SU HISTORIA DESDE SU FABRICACION?
SALUDOS.
JUAN LUGO.
bill says:
Hola Juan, no sé cómo buscar más allá de 1970 basado en los números de VIN. Lo siento-
ROBERT says:
Just purchased this 1970.
313107h9437690 VIN
1970 International Travelall
Trying to find out what motor is in this. Trying to replace the radiator and Holley Carb. Thank you for any help out there.
Brian l Barnes says:
please help decode this vin# 1979 scout J0D62JG46446
Richard Williams says:
I have a 1968 International Scout that is vin plated as a Dept. of US Navy I have the VIN plate and it gives all the information. I was just wondering about the US Navy VIN tag? Any others out there?
Corey Stubblefield says:
Hi thank you for your research! My name is Corey and I work for Bills Auto in NJ.
We hav an International Scout here FC74968. Not sure of the year. Need any information to order correct parts. Thank you.
WHDS says:
I haven’t looked at the vin or frame on the vehicle but I do have the pink slip. Vin on pink says FC43423A model and make is a 63 INTL. How can I get some info on this?
Jon says:
I’m trying to research a Scout I found to see year and anything else I can find out. I used the link to the VIN decoder listed here and it was saying a Cadillac. Any help would be greatly appreciated! FC42077A
Jack s. Porter says:
I have some numbers of a vin. It is what seems to be a 67 Scout v8 4 speed. 4×4. The numbers I have are G 285456. The 8 could be a 3. This number was on the frame in front of the steering box.
bill says:
Hi Jack— sorry, this VIN decoder won’t work with 7-digit codes. I’m not the author, just linking to it.
LINDA WAHL says:
Vin K0062KGD12088WB100
I NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY SCOUT
bill says:
Hi Linda,
Sorry, I can’t help you. As noted above, I don’t run the decoder, I just link to it. Use the email address at that site to contact the author.
jerry riggleman says:
I just bought A scout trying to find out what year it is
ser numscout 800 4/4 fc154441a
Gabriel says:
hello good I have an international scout 65 but I am looking for the chassis number and I don’t know where it is located !! can you help me with that
bill says:
Sorry Gabriel, I don’t have a handle on where the chassis numbers are for Scouts before 1971. Have you checked the Binder Planet?
Brett Sanders says:
Hey I need help finding info on my 1977 international harvester loadstar 1600 2 speed rear end 5 speed manual transmission v8 345E PTO attached to pneumatic dump bed Vin is d0s12ghb22360
Jude Zasadzki says:
Howdy, I have a 1971 Scout 800b. Vin# G4222687 any info? Thanks!
Terry Allen Simmons says:
Believe I have a 61 or 62 scout 80 with no title and and need good answer to frame location VIN. This Scout has sliding windows and IH logo on tailgate.
Carlos R says:
So, I figured out some basics for Scout 80/800 vehicles. If your Scout was built in 1962 but wasn’t purchased until 1963, then for title/registration purposes it will be listed as a ’63… but there aren’t many things on the books from back then- so whatever. VIN numbers got more formal in 1965.
The FC that starts before the production number on the VIN numbers produced 1960-1965, the later G VIN used from 1966-on. If your VIN is FC12345A- then to my understanding, that is the 12,345 car that was produced as an IH Scout. Figure that the 5 to 6 #’s after FC corresponded w/ dates of production. The 100,000th car built was the Red Carpet Series. From the info Scout owners above provided you can get a good ball park of what year your vehicle was produced. E.g. FC43000 roughly a 1962 or 63. FC150000 was probably a 1965 that wasn’t sold until 1966.
Tom Butterworth says:
Trying to figure out year of this scout, model# scout 80 4×4 serial # FC 4179 OA
amber dwight says:
I have a 1962 international scout #Fc 73g5 can u tell me what number car was this off line and any other interesting info
Mike Ownbey says:
Hey guys,
I am looking to purchase a 1955 INTL Harvester.
The VIN is ID40828C0L0
The badge on the fender say it’s R110 but the door placard says R112. It is a 4×4 with a 4 speed. Trying figure if its original. The info I have seen says the R110 and R112 were 2wd. Maybe you can help. Thank you.
Bob Chan says:
I am flying to Colorado to pick up my Dad’s (deceased) ’79 Scout. I am sure it will need some parts, and would like to do some research, especially the motor size, while waiting for the covid border to open. The v.i.n. # is J0062JGD23352 (I don’t know if the 00’s are numbers or letters). I’ll take any help I can.
Bob (from Newfoundland, Canada)
Dwight says:
Hi, I have been looking at a 1965 Scout in a junk yard. The body is in good shape and I believe it would be a good project. Problem, someone took the vin plate off the fire wall. I’m trying to find the vin on the frame. Found a couple numbers going back tomorrow. Should I buy it without a vin number? How many numbers should be on the frame?
Thanks in advance for any information.
bill says:
Hi Dwight—I have no information about first-generation Scouts in terms of VINs or serial numbers—you’ll have to do some more digging online.
As far as the body: I’m looking at your email address and assuming you’re in California. I have NO idea how strict they get about swapping VINs or buying cars without titles, so I can’t give you advice there (I am not a lawyer!) but I DO know that good sheet metal is harder and harder to find. So…draw your own inference there. Good luck!
John ELverum says:
wow! decoder was great, thanks! I had lost the vin plate during restoration of my ’69 800 and an owner way back when had welded a big plate for a power steering conversion which I removed but numbers frame are shot. I will contact Scout specialist for a line sheet. Does anyone make vin tags??
Heiko says:
Hi everyone,
I see there are a lot of people here who know the Scout very well. Hence my question to everyone – I have a 345-engine Scout that does’t have a serial number on the engine .
Have you heard that before?
… what does that mean ?
The place where the number should be, can only be seen in the original milled surface structure.
Heiko from Germany
JC Kavanagh says:
My grandfather’s Scout 80 serial #FC107761A
I believe it’s a 1965 but can’t find original paperwork on the vehicle. Any information is appreciated. Also where can I buy a manuel and a duplicate key? She has rust but in very good shape and was red back in the day and barn kept! Hard top is also missing.
Brian says:
I had a 76 international scout ll with a V8 ps ac 4×4 but I can’t find the VIN on it can someone help me please
Michael Walker says:
I have a 1965 Scout. VIN FC11011A, I’m trying to figure out what motor and transmission was in this originally.
William J. Miller says:
I will preface this post stating I have no background nor knowledge in the area of VIN’s. My question is regarding obtaining a title for a 1966 round body Travelette. If a person were to purchase this vehicle how would you go about having a title issued for the vehicle when the seller did not have one.
Note: This is a very old vehicle in rough condition, I seriously doubt there is any deceit involved or criminal activity associated with the sale.
bill says:
Hi William,
It’s a good question, and one that’s much harder to answer now. It was up until about mid-year 2023 you could use what was called the Vermont loophole to get a title, but that’s been closed off due to people abusing it. I do know there are some bonded title agencies out there that can help, but it takes time and money—anecdotally I’ve heard as much as a thousand dollars—to go through their services. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.
Tyler Fontes says:
Hello my name is Tyler. I purchased a 1972 international truck and I’m trying to figure out motor size and other information on it. Please get back to me whenever you can. Please and Thankyou!! The vin number is
Vin# IH3H2C0CHB20016
Date: 9/72
bill says:
Hi Tyler, it looks like the tool I linked to is down, so you’ll have to go through one of the Light Line dealers or the Wisconsin Historical Society to get a Lineset Ticket which will tell you everything you need to know about how your truck rolled off the assembly line. Good luck!