Hey guys,
I thought I would start this thread to show yall what I've been up to lately. Im lifting my truck by doing a shackle flip in the rear and getting 'like new' 2 inch lift coils for the front.

Truck stats:
1979 F150 Custom 4x4 swb
460
C6
Holley 4 barrel carbuerator
460 Performer high-rise intake manifold
Edelbrock air filter
Dual glasspack exhaust
30 inch tires
Dana 44 front axle
Ford 9 inch rear axle
3.50 gears

I bought the truck a couple months ago for $1300. She's my first 4x4.

Here's a list of things I've replaced:
new Tires
carb. rebuilt
thermostat
chrome thermostat housing
4 inch air filter
valve cover gaskets
new battery
power stearing pump
and p/s hoses
in-line fuel filter

I also got the oil pan gasket, transmission pan gasket, front and rear axle gaskets, but haven't gotten around to that yet.

Here are some pics that I've been taking over the past couple weeks to get ready for the lift..











I just used a wire brush to get the surface rust off. Planning on either repairing the core support or getting one from a j/y.


Next off is the fenders..




Then the hood and inner fenders..




Removed the A/C . I didn't have the compressor anyway.
I gotta weld the hole up.


Then off came the bed. I'm still wire-wheeling the frame.






Here's the before and after I partially wire wheeled the shackles just to see the condition of them..








That was yesterday. Today all I had time to do was get the rear wheels off and put her on jackstands. More pics to come as I make progress. I usually work on her everyday. Tomorrow I plan on dropping the tank and start cutting the rivets off holding the leafspring hangers on. Let me know what y'all think and if you ever see anything I'm doing wrong please let me know.

 

Looking great so far !! I can't wait to get home and start working on mine.

 

Thanks Chief!
I'v never asked you, what do you got planed for her?

 

Lets see where should I begin???
First thing is a new battery and power steering pump. The brakes pulse so looking at new all the way around. At the same time it needs a new ring and pinion and I think one of the axles is bent. So just thinking of just replacing the whole rearend. Fix the AC. Basicly getting it road worthy.

Once my house sells then it will be prety much a full frame off resto. New paint, new interior, carpet, window seals, etc, etc. Clean and funtional. Nothing radical, I like the stock look with some modern upgrades. Rims and tires too.

The truck belonged to my late father in law, my wife and I want to fix her up and go to some car shows and Georgia FTE GTG's with you all. We are looking into maybe moving to the Atlanta Metro area in the future so right now just getting the mechanicals worked out till we figure out where the career situation takes us.

I like 4x4's and yours is going to be awesome. I wish mine was a short box 4x4 but not going to complain.

 

That sounds like a plan. I wish you the best of luck on selling your house and I'm glad to see you kept the truck in the family. I love restoration projects and can't wait to see yours!
And thanks for the compliments on my truck.

 

No progress really worth taking pictures of. I got the tank dropped, tires off and shocks unbolted.

I'm picking up the 2 inch lift shocks today. Will be starting them when I get done with the rear.

I broke two 3/8 and one half inch drive sockets tryna brake loose the damn bolts on the shackle. I even used my dremel to clean the rusty threads and soaked them in WD-40. Still no go.

 

I took a trip to Atlanta today to get the 2 inch lift coil springs.
Scored them for 75 bucks on Craigslist. They're off a 79 Bronco.
They look pink in the pic. But there actually light red, and rust free.
Imma scuff them up a bit and repaint them gloss red.

 

Im not posting any updates on this thread anymore because yall dont seem interested.
Chief, you can follow it on the 73-79 forum. It's also on the Offroad/4x4 forum.

 

I'm interested dude, love seeing folks installing a lift. But yeah, this part of the forum is usually quite unless you have something that says "FREE BEER AND GIRLS----with helping me installing my lift"

 

That's good to hear that you like it. Here's where I've been posting all my progress. I think there's like 22 pages now. I'd love to hear you're opinion.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-of-pics.html

 

It is looking good, I have been busy with the new guys getting them settled and trained up. I have been keeping an eye on you just have not posted. My free time is limited to looking right now.

 

Thanks Chief! I'm glad you're still looking. Not too much longer and you'll be back in the states. Are you gonna make a thread about getting yours road worthy?

 

I can do a thread, that would be kinda fun.

 

Looking foward to seeing your progress!