Now that the introduction is out of the way thought I would start the work in progress build thread. The idea is to have a clean 2wd swb done on a pretty limited budget.

Here is my plan and current progress. I picked up a 74 F100 swb 2wd 300/c6 about a month ago that I plan on doing the cv swap with an axle flip. The cab and front clip are about gone on the 74 but I have a 78 F250 from my step dad that I replaced and restored the cab and clip on about 16 years ago that I plan on swapping to the 74 frame. Also plan on taking the 400 from the 78 since it has a fresh top end. Trying to use as much of the step dads truck as possible since he has had it 32 years now, he used to hill climb, mud bog and truck pull back in the day but it hasn't been on the road in 10-15 years. It will be kinda weird not seeing it all jacked up and sitting as a lowered 2wd swb but at least it will be on the road So thats the plan; 2wd swb, 400 w/ AOD, Explorer rear 3.73, CV front swap, disc on all four and 17x9/10.5" black Torque Thrust wheels on the White 74/78 combo.
The 74 on the first day home


Then stripped the box and cab off to start working on the box and getting ready foe the other cab and clip


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Cleaned up the frame, installed the Explorer rear and cut out all the stock front suspension to install the Crown Vic front. Installed the new wheels to get an idea of height, wanting the seat height around 24-30" so its easy to get in.






The rear will get a 1" block then the pinion angle will be set before welding the spring pads in. For the front I have the trailing arm mounts made but not installed so I can mount the cab and set up a fender to make sure the wheels are centered(a lil more forward than stock) but with the tape measure it looks good.
Here is the truck I am taking the cab and front clip off, I wanted to use the motor but trying to find a decent 2wd c6 for the 400 isn't easy trying to do on the cheap so may look for a 5.0/AOD drivetrain out of a Mustang for decent fuel mileage but who knows.


If the weather is decent out today I want to get started on getting the cab and clip off the 78 but as tall as it sits prolly gonna need some help so hopefully someone is around today

 

Didn't get any pics of the clip removal but did get it all off and the cab is ready to be lifted off so now just waiting for the neighbor to bring over his backhoe to lift the cab and set it on the 2wd frame. Prolly start blasting a few parts and putting some powder on them today while I wait for the neighbor to be around. Also want to get the inner fenders and support painted today. Picked up a mint grill shell the other day for 35 bucks and want to paint the center grill and the bezels, thinking John Deere Blitz Black, a nice durable matte black. Here is a picture of my trike that I painted the tins Blitz Black,


Hopefully have some more progress pics after today.

 

Subscribing looks like an awesome project.

Are you going to box the frame rails where the CV suspension is? And what did you use for spacers on top of the frame where the CV cross member bolts down?

 

Yea the frame is going to get boxed there and want to weld some of the rear x-members and prolly have to c-notch and box frame in the rear. Right now I just have washers in there, my brother is making me the four pieces under the top clamp. Used the washers to make sure its level instead of just goin off others measurements. But want to get the cab on this weekend and put up a fender to make sure everything looks good before boxing and making stuff pernament

 

This project is awesome! Subscribed!

 

Looks like a cool project. The rear swap and cv front suspension gave you the more desirable 5x4.5 bolt pattern which is a good thing..

 

Yea, got the good bolt pattern, disc brakes all around, front and rear sway bars, rack and pinion steering and a modern suspension up front....can't go wrong

 

whats gonna happen to the rim on th 4x4

 

got the cab off the 78 and onto the 2wd, seat height is still higher than I would like so prolly look into the lowering springs for the vic front end and add a 3" block and notch the rear. Supposed to rain again tomorrow morning but hopefully can get the firewall sanded and painted and finish painting the inner fenders and then its time to make the vic front end permanent and try to have the engine in next weekend. Also have a few small parts and the hood hinges I need to sand blast and put some powder on, have a nice looking stainless looking powder going to cover those in. Hopefully things will start to speed up on this thing soon.

 

Not sure, the guy next door that I got the engine from is taking the old frame and parts.

 

pretty slow week so far, been raining or looking like rain all week so far but did manage to get a few things done. Still hoping to have the front end all welded up by the weekend and prolly going to get the AOD so can get the drivetrain together to get the mounts made. Waiting on my brother to plasma out the pieces to box the frame in and to help mount the trailing arm mounts. Done a few small and easy to reach things though.
Got the inside of the support and inner fenders painted along with the battery tray.

Mounted the washer fluid tank and powder coated the jack hold down bracket, it is stainless steel looking, hood springs and few other parts will be this color too.

Not a good angle but I picked up a grill shell in mint condition for 35 bucks and then painted the inner grill.

Saved the old tailgate trim incase I cant find a good used tailgate and end up buying on w/o the "FORD" in it.

Didnt do any body work to the front side of the box but did scuff it down and redid the seam sealer, painted on some chassis saver and the hit it with some undercoat.

And here is what the interior looked like when I got it to town, minus all the mice nests and poop I vacuumed out, its still stinks but its getting better. Plans for the interior are to remove the old rubber mat and lay down some dynamat and new insulation(one not soaked in mouse **** and ****) along with carpet. I have a mint set of black door panels but first I want to paint all the interior a charcol grey, the stuff that would normally be body color. Get a dash pad from the guy here on FTE that sells them and cover the headliner in suede. Still looking for a nice newer F series truck seat too.

Thats all for now but hopefully after the weekend can see it with the engine and trans in, then get the pinion angle set and weld in the spring perches and get the rear end painted so the box can go back on....it takes up a ton of room in my garage, between the powder coat oven, 60 gal compressor and the truck box there is not much room to wheel around.

 

Not much progress, dam warm weather really limits the help but slowly getting there. Waiting for the portable welder guy to swing over to weld in the pieces to box in the frame and the trailing arm brackets for the cv front end. Then can finally hang the engine and trans to get the motor mounts made. I did pick up a set of shorty headers, weiand intake and holley carb for the 302, still need to paint and powder coat the engine and accessories. Been working on the interior while I wait for the welder to show. Got the entire interior out of the truck and found the floor needs a couple patches. The dash came out and is welded(bunch of small holes from cb's, etc being mounted), primed and wet sanded, the dash pad was in better shape than i thought so it got cleaned and vinyl dyed along with the visors. The headliner is covered in suede and the trim went flat black. Put in a 100mph speedo and took some buffing compound to the clear lens. Once the cab gets patched the entire floor will get new seam sealer, chassis saved, dynomat, insulation and some grey carpet, also want to dynomat the doors, roof and halfway up behind the seat. Got the hydroboost master cylinder installed as well. And that about sums up the last couple weeks worth.