Hello,

My name is Ben and I'm new to the forums.

I have a 1955 Ford F100, and i'm planing on getting it to the next level.



The truck as a 1969 Chevelle front clip with power steering, the truck was swapped with a 1968 Mustang 289 with,i believe, a C3 behind it. The rear end was replaced with a 9inch.

Here is my plan:

1) Replace the gas tank. (the present tank have a 4 gallon dent in it)
2) Update fuel sender to 12V
3) Replace the cluster with more accurate gauges, re-wire the whole truck, including upgrading the fuse panel
4) Repair title on the column, and get rude of the play in the steering box.
5) Replace C3 trans with a C4
6) C-notch the frame, and install a 4-link
7) Install a full air ride with e-Level Air Management
8) Replace rims and tires
9) Gut the interior and sent the truck to get painted (Its going to be white)
10) Dynamat the cab and doors
11) Install A/C
12) Send the bench to upholstery shop
13) Replaced the carpet and door carts and fabricate headliner
14) Install a decent sound system with a slim-sub under the bench

I'm looking to put the truck on air ride. As I'm familiar with the management for the air ride, i have a couple questions for the rear bags.

Should i install a 4 link in the rear, and notch the frame ? Or can i get away with the OE leaf springs ?

Also, I want to make more drivable for long haul, that where my next question is about.

What is the best transmission for freeway cruising ? I'm looking for a low RPM at 65-70 mph, bust still quick off the line

Thank you for your help

-Ben

I will put pictures up soon

 

Hey Ben,
Welcome Aboard! Good to see another Ben on here.
I can't answer your airbag question - we are running a 351W engine with an AOD 3 speed with overdrive transmission. It cruises very nicely at 65 mph with the 3.73 Explorer 8.8 axle out back. Not sure there is a best trans for cruising - the overdrive is nice for low RPM highway driving but it was tricky to get it to work correctly as it's cable driven & very sensitive.

Good luck over there.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Any other awnser?

 

What is the rear diff ratio? The mid 3's should be suffice with a C4 for low end and highway cruising. What mod's have been done to the engine?

 

IMO you'll need posi rear end and some mickey thompson sticky tires if you want to be quick off the line. The front to rear weight distribution on these trucks is not well suited for a decent hole shot. With a 3 speed auto and 3:50 rear end and 29" dia tires (235 75 15) you will run about 2800 rpm at 70 mph. A 4 speed auto will drop that to a little under 2000 rpm in OD.

 

Welcome! Im currently building a '55, depending on how low you're wanting to get the truck when you're bags are deflated, I would go four link with notch. Then I'm using a c4 and it's going to be my daily driver and crushing at 70-75.
Trevor

 

If you want to use bags, they would not be compatible with leafs. When you use bags they are the springs, you don't want/need a second set of springs. realize that if you go low enough to meed to notch or C the frame, the rear axle is going to hit the underside of the bed floor so you will need to step or raise the floor as well.

 

Thanks for the great answers guys.

Here is the truck : (My friend is sitting in it)



So, after reading the couple answers forn you guys, its looking like i will be going for a 4-link, frame C-notch and raised floor in the back.

As for the tranny it look like a C4 with OD is the way to go.

What year C4 should i get ? Again its going to be bolted on a 1968 289 V8

I'm also going to upgraded the steering column, the tilt have a MASSIVE amount of play in it. What column fit those truck the best ?

Also, i found a rack and pinion conversion kit for my Chevelle front end, what would you guys think about that ? Upgrade the P/S box or convert to rack and pinion ?

 

4 link is definitely the way to go. As far as the trans you could always swap it out with an AOD and gain overdrive for highway cruising.

 

Damn, that's a great setup !

It looks similar from what i had in mind.

Who sell the 4 links kit ?

 

This is the one I used. Had to give them the measurements for what I wanted.

Super Lift Triangulated 4-Link Kit | thorbros.com

 

Most go with an Ididit or Flaming River column I'm using an Ididit. Are you sure the free play is in the column, not in the steering box or linkage? Or is it in the tilt itself. If it's in the tilt and a GM column, you can get rebuild parts for it.
Nice looking truck!

 

h2omellon, are you upper bars as close to that cross tube as it looks in the picture, or is that with the air all out?

 

Oh man, there is play in the tilt itself and the steering box is never been updated since the 60s !

Do you anybody that makes a updated steering P/S box ?

 

That is laid out with 0 psi in the bags and there is an inch of clearance between them and the cross member.