I am about a month or 2 into this project and I thought Id share some pics of what I have done...what id do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and Ill keep it updated on whats next.

A little about the truck: In late 77 my dad decided he wanted to get back into a 3/4 ton truck and out of his 72 f100 4x4...he almost bought a used 76 highboy, but he really wanted to get one with a dana 60 front end. The plan was to order a burgundy and grey lariat, but apparently ford was on strike at the time so it would take a long time to get it. There was a blue and grey f250 he considered but it had a dana 44 front end. So he ended up with a brown and creme lariat with a dana 60 front...the only downside, full time 4x4. He did put a part time kit in a few year later though.

 

Right after I pulled the big block out

Pulled the front clip and transmission

Sawed the crossmember out...the way I built the crossmember...if I had a chance to start over I would do it much differently

I added a chunkc of 2" dom between the spring perches..dont know if I will keep it there or not yet. Little extra support I guess.

First bends to the crossmember

Measuring etc.

Pretty much a self taught welder...have had some tips given to me, had a few short lessons.

 

I gotta ask, why is your crossmember so crooked?

 

Its not crooked...the original placement for the cross member is further forward on the passenger side then the drivers side. As far as it being a different angle either side looking at it from the front of the truck...its because the engines are mounted about 2 inches to passenger side of center to line up with the slightly offset pinion....so thats why its offset or crooked. That way the engine and trans wont be.

 

not another cummins!!!

 

great project, thats awesome

 

Gotcha. All of my dents have been 4x4 so the crossmember is straight across. Strange how Ford does things sometimes.

 

Yeah, this is a factory 4x4...but its a 77.5-79 frame...the older highboy frames front cross member is straight across. Why they didnt make this one straight is beyond me. If it was straight across from the position on the passenger rail it would run into the steering box...but they could have just mounted one straight across from behind the box.

 

Awesome build man. What tranny are you using?

 

I was going to use an A518 out of a 92 dodge...but after I found out they were a non lock up torque converter...no thanks...So now Im trying to be rid of that trans...I have already picked up an nv5600 6 speed from an 01 burn victim truck. I am going to go through that after I get the engine back together which will be done in the next week or so. So then i just need a t case and I have all my major parts. I have the truck all down in pieces now. Im going to restore the underside now and then do the topside later. I might rebuild the front cross member I made...im not all that happy with it. Im thinking of making a tubular cross member. Ill have to post more pics.

 

Subscribed and Bump.

 

Nice work, you'll love the Cummins.

 

Updates?

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Ugh another cummins really??? What year is the 12v cummins from? Is the nv5600 a 4x4 trans? Got any more progress done? wondering if you plan on running the AC compressor on the engine or will your truck be non AC?

 

If you want to use it as a truck, why not? It's probably cheaper to swap in than an other diesel.