Have been gathering parts for the last few years and it's finally starting to come together. Am starting with this:

Its a 1978 International Scout 2.
IH 196 4 cyl. (Soon to be replaced with the IH 345 V8)
Dana 44 Axles
Chrysler 727 Auto Trans
Dana 20 Tcase 2.03:1 Low
Best of all it's a Right Hand Drive mail truck.

Which is going to make it fun with getting the power steering in, as there's little room on that side for the steering box. Normally it goes on the outside of the frame on the normal left hand side, but is going to have to be on the inside of the frame on the RIGHT side. I'll have to either push the axle forward and the box forward, or move the engine and trans back a couple of inches. I'll probably move the axle, as I could use the room for the tires as well.
Next I bought a 14 bolt GM 1 ton axle for the rear:

Its got a 10.5 inch ring gear, which is massive, the track width is 67" which is about 9 inches wider than the stock dana 44's. Its got big 1.5 inch 30 spline axleshafts and is a tank of an axle. They are super common, and are very cheap.
The downside is the massive brake drums on either end.

They weight roughly 74 pounds EACH. The entire axle weighs 550lbs and close to 400 without the drums, I have a set of rear disc brake brackets/rotors and calipers from a 3/4 ton chevy that replaces them.
I bought a Diff cover from Great Lakes Offroad made of 3/8" steel to replace the stamped crappy stock cover.

Its got an oil filler bung, as well as an oil drain plug which is recessed into the bottom:

Everything will get cleanded and powdercoated before being installed onto the rig.
















