I would like to start my project thread by saying that this site has played a big part in inspiring me to actually get going on my truck. Thanks to everyone. Now for my project. but first the back story. Skip if you get bored easily. I grew up in a 74 F350.... the Blue Goose as she was know. Here is how she looks now. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tRSRCJXbsoUiWmpllKo0HNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_t2VWASyk8w/UF6YHZ3391I/AAAAAAAABEA/pGcuaOe1P3U/s400/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.23%252C05%253A02%253 A02%252C252_42C9F0ED.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> My dad bought her new (I was 3) as a cab and chassis. He promptly put the bed on and drove only it till 1987 and then at least once a week till about 2005. It still runs but could use a 3rd or 4th engine rebuild. But I have always had 4wds and 97 thru 07 they were diesels. My last 2 trucks though have been F150 4wd SC FS trucks because that is the style I have always liked. So that is my project choice... a F250 SC FS diesel 4x4. I know they did not build them but I think I can get there. I started gathering information and parts and enclosed my shed at the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012. About 8 weeks ago I started taking stuff apart. Moneys tight so this is a low budget build. I am bad about going over my budget but I am going to try and stay tight with this. This is also my first build but I am mechanically inclined so hopefully I can muttle through.

 

I use to draw this truck in school all the time except it had a utility bed and 4wd. I liked the flairside then too though. Anyway after much looking on Craigslist and a lot of trips to look at trucks I found this 76 F150 Trailer Special with very little rust. At least compared to what I had been looking at. It is engineless though. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PlPPcoUytRATtJ-5wOqFfNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><i mg src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PI8stWyZ7Wo/TxHlMEogBEI/AAAAAAAAA3o/6F3yfSXSCqc/s640/76truck2.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> I also picked up this 1976 highboy rolling chassis. It is from a reg cab, LB. I probably could have looked around a little more before getting this one but here I am so... <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RuzVs_lbGEQrH6QVz5-39dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GeUihuBupUU/UF6uSTP0AmI/AAAAAAAABEU/MLpxnSOnwl8/s640/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.23%252C06%253A37%253 A46%252C340_68C5F48C.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table>

 

Here is the wrecked 1995 engine and transmission donor. After I pulled the radiator out of the fan and put rigged the innercooler back in, it started right up. I was relieved. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/blT9uZGm9n7gkyJd_qF89NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2jSaokIIoJs/UEi3ASP2ukI/AAAAAAAAA-E/ru2e0YCko1M/s640/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A45%253 A10%252C490_DA5BD4.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table>

 

Wow looks like you really have a project ahead of you! I will be very interested on how this ends up. Are you putting the Cummins in the brown super cab or the blue reg cab?
Subscribed!

 

I'm interested in seeing how this ends up. Subscribed !

 

Hey Mudrat. yeah it is quite the project but I am finding as I go, that if I just tackle one step at a time, it is moving along. Time and money is the hardest parts so far. The end vehicle will posses a '76 F250 4x4 frame, '76 supercab (the brown one) and a Cummins engine. I am still looking for a flare-side bed.
The Blue one is my childhood vehicle. If I could afford the 9 mpg I would have it on the road. Maybe my ADD will kickin and I'll get it running well enough to drive around but it could use an engine, needs exhaust and the heater core is starting to leak. Besides I'm trying to keep M & T funneled towards my project right now.

 

looks like a cool project you getting ready to start.

 

I started by stretching the old frame. I had a buddy cut and bend some "C" channel that would fit snuggly over the frame. Then found the level spot according to the builders specs, which is right behind the rear cab mounts. Set up some jacks stands under the front axle so it was level all the way around. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jjTK6gJkeKpyQHrmdU2xdNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b4tIygmkuuc/UEi0Ud2mMcI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/rhcaFrjGGss/s400/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A29%253 A58%252C906_369326D8.jpg" height="239" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> Then simply measured and cut the frame, spread it apart, clamped on the C channels and weld it up. This extended it 5.8" so it would match the wheel base of a Supercab/Shortbed. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1smV_ZY8wG4VOyLgKEwh7dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J4xT6GZE8R8/UEi0Um_lnZI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/BUhklupCz0U/s400/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A30%253 A16%252C121_E491AF48.jpg" height="239" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IeX7yXDrsy5vfOoAbAeOQtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MTbjNFfogCc/UEizNfOWiOI/AAAAAAAAA6I/3ZzwNK4jrxI/s400/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A25%253 A47%252C564_98E0F531.jpg" height="239" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/a21mmL7JcseOzNMDJCRkQdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TI4cV4v81HQ/UEizNqbwRzI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/GAsmowj_k6M/s640/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A26%253 A02%252C215_D6D1024F.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RdY8l74C38znXvjIMWq9-9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-B5JcZEDZWY4/UEizNrRJ6hI/AAAAAAAAA5k/ha6u36m3B5g/s640/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A26%253 A14%252C851_26D2CE2A.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table>

 

Thanks Tanman. I have actually already started and am gonna try and catch this thread up as quick as possible. I started this thread to try and keep me on track as a sort of diary and to gather comments/advice from all the great people on FTE

 

after the frame I lifted the cab. It was a lot heaver then I thought it would be. I didn't want to use the rafters but had no choice. I wish I had used them sooner. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-GQfb7WL8JscFflxraqBPtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=em bedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pBz8KIfXX8A/UEi0UeZYpWI/AAAAAAAAA8M/b_fuXYAaoZQ/s640/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A31%253 A21%252C687_6D01ED8F.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Mk03lepG4EIPu-96Nmd7OdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite">< img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-isRyzuVySW8/UDTpK95NvkI/AAAAAAAAA28/vAVohbW4qXA/s640/IMAG0147.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table>
Believe it or not, this was my first time actually removing a body panel much less a whole cab.

 

Now that I had the cab out off its frame I could start measuring & figuring in order to move the rear cab mounts backwards on the 4x4 frame. It just so happens that they ended up right at the extension point. Something I kept in mind is I wanted to use as little body lift on the front of the cab as possible so I need to keep the newly mounted rear mounts as low as possible. I also had to use some scrap tubing as spacers so they matched up with the factory bolts. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-gwybk-LabfflO8nH0ay1dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedweb site"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CYtGKk2YMgg/UEi3fLpNAMI/AAAAAAAAA-U/jV-c2t0pBGw/s640/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A47%253 A06%252C489_C6B9C6C6.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MXEuItK8AmVWvwrXdcAtONMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pu7xr0vjTRo/UEi0UftMbHI/AAAAAAAAA8I/y5DGvaLBKmg/s640/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A32%253 A19%252C742_3615F230.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table>

 

Next a good pressure washing and set the cab on it to check out the fit. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oYY9r5IUVv5KT3KsUHwpg9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VjT0-2nU8mw/UF812giAjqI/AAAAAAAABEo/w_PxsfoOTzY/s640/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.23%252C16%253A16%253 A19%252C986_7CBBDC5B.jpg" height="361" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Wh9mEj-ATEJCY9Oo-jCbpNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3iB86CewmMg/UEi3mENYTWI/AAAAAAAAA-c/lo1dShkXOMo/s640/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A47%253 A37%252C207_9640FD65.jpg" height="383" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bBVs9kG0f3YQNRwHu4dmq9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vCP9FUWX1qA/UEigVuoxGKI/AAAAAAAAA-4/j9RlHsV889A/s800/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C13%253A08%253 A20%252C932_888E3F09.jpg" height="478" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table> and here i was moving some wheels and tires around that i picked a for it a a few months ago, so I had to lean them up to see how they'll look <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A10RKfZDAw9ZGHDCt-91-dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jfS6P3ShCx0/UEizN-VfSCI/AAAAAAAAA5g/niQBfs29Q8c/s800/upload_100000CD72A079_2012.09.06%252C14%253A28%253 A49%252C350_4B4ADDEE.jpg" height="478" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114884345569214564867/FordFrame02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Ford Frame</a></td></tr></table>

 

Looks really good. You've picked quite a project for yourself but starting a build thread is really smart. You're right, it'll help keep you focused and not lose interest in the project.
Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your progress.

 

Looks like you got quite a bit done today! Will that frame stretch allow for a long bed? It looks like it would only fit a short box. Lookin great so far!
I like those rims by the way! they would look real nice on that truck when its done. Are you keeping the same paint scheme?

Scratch that just read it again! Short box it is

 

I picked the 18" wheels up for $350 from Craigslist. They came with the tires which are good enough to get me through project completion. The truck will be going to a single color so it will have to be Painted inside and out. Gonna remove all the molding too.I guess it is going from a Ranger XLT to a Custom