Tidbits 1956 - LS100 (53 F100)
#1
Tidbits 1956 - LS100 (53 F100)
*DISCLAIMER* while this is a ford forum I know there will be a chance I will be flamed, while I'm ok with it and understand I will not win any awards with this project. I am looking at building the best driver I can. With the resources that are at my disposal. So enjoy!
Lets begin with the background.
I have a dad whom likes to borrow my Ford F350….. a lot.. So one day I got to thinking. "Maybe it's time for a shop truck. I don't need my big beast all the time, just something to throw the tools into and go".
Then a light bulb pops into my head! It would be better and WAY cooler to have an older truck with a decent body and rhino lined bed. Onward to the search! I toyed with Datsuns, Chevys, then finally with the 53-56 F100 body styles. Prices were still cheap on these rigs but the quest was finding one that was not rotten as I HATE RUST!
Few weeks on Craigslist and I came up with this, 1953 F100 - $3500 no title.
It came with a working engine (302) tranny! But the reason why I paid the premium is the bodywork already done to the truck. Blocked 3 times, each time using black as the paint to see high spots. All that needs to be done is, find a bed and BAM….. DONE!!..
Well thats simply not how I roll………………. :drive:
Lets begin with the background.
I have a dad whom likes to borrow my Ford F350….. a lot.. So one day I got to thinking. "Maybe it's time for a shop truck. I don't need my big beast all the time, just something to throw the tools into and go".
Then a light bulb pops into my head! It would be better and WAY cooler to have an older truck with a decent body and rhino lined bed. Onward to the search! I toyed with Datsuns, Chevys, then finally with the 53-56 F100 body styles. Prices were still cheap on these rigs but the quest was finding one that was not rotten as I HATE RUST!
Few weeks on Craigslist and I came up with this, 1953 F100 - $3500 no title.
It came with a working engine (302) tranny! But the reason why I paid the premium is the bodywork already done to the truck. Blocked 3 times, each time using black as the paint to see high spots. All that needs to be done is, find a bed and BAM….. DONE!!..
Well thats simply not how I roll………………. :drive:
#2
My inspiration (without the chop)
Off to the metal scrappers for me! I have no need for this junk.
The bed and junk parts are separated front the frame. I finally finished a parts log and know what I need to order. Whats that in the background?
TCI front end rolling frame w/ bed? $1200 check! Btw that's primer not rust.
Off to the metal scrappers for me! I have no need for this junk.
The bed and junk parts are separated front the frame. I finally finished a parts log and know what I need to order. Whats that in the background?
TCI front end rolling frame w/ bed? $1200 check! Btw that's primer not rust.
#5
So this is when the buddies idea gets you thinking.... "You know that camaro out in the yard? Why not toss your 302 and run an LS in a Ford?"
Oh dear. Now that sounds like a great idea! Where is the Bobcat! :secret:
Motor out and being dropped off to get stripped. Turns out when we got into the motor is was in bad shape. Ran really hot the oil was cooked everywhere inside the motor. Thankfully my machinist is killer (head nod to Hutchinson Performance) and had me rebored to 3.905, new pistons, stock rods n crank in no time! (2 weeks to be exact)
Oh dear. Now that sounds like a great idea! Where is the Bobcat! :secret:
Motor out and being dropped off to get stripped. Turns out when we got into the motor is was in bad shape. Ran really hot the oil was cooked everywhere inside the motor. Thankfully my machinist is killer (head nod to Hutchinson Performance) and had me rebored to 3.905, new pistons, stock rods n crank in no time! (2 weeks to be exact)
#6
#7
Hey Tid,
I'm assuming you are single as my wife would have me sleeping in the garage if I brought all that stuff home. So..... You're from Canada and there is no snow on the ground in those pics. Where are you at now? Have you settled on a plan for what parts to use from all your options. Putting the nice body on the TCI frame with the bed?
Looking good up there in Canada.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
I'm assuming you are single as my wife would have me sleeping in the garage if I brought all that stuff home. So..... You're from Canada and there is no snow on the ground in those pics. Where are you at now? Have you settled on a plan for what parts to use from all your options. Putting the nice body on the TCI frame with the bed?
Looking good up there in Canada.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
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#8
I'm from canada... Wha?.... I'm from oregon (all fixed now) you guys are correct. No wife n kids.. Good job, but takes most of my time so i have little left for projects ;(
In regards to the title. I have a vin plate n title from the yellow car. Slap it on the black body and the tci frame. Finished! I have also put a mechanics lean on the original frame. In a few months that should be squared away and there will be an extra title. I still have the orig 302 and trans that I will use for the beater yellow truck and give to my father.
Maybe he won't use my f350 that often then
In regards to the title. I have a vin plate n title from the yellow car. Slap it on the black body and the tci frame. Finished! I have also put a mechanics lean on the original frame. In a few months that should be squared away and there will be an extra title. I still have the orig 302 and trans that I will use for the beater yellow truck and give to my father.
Maybe he won't use my f350 that often then
#9
#12
a little progress.. I do not have much time (one day a week). I noticed that I did not like the way the motor and trans sat in the frame. So I did the one thing I HATE doing…
doing the same thing twice.
motor comes out
didn't like my welds that much anyways!
BYE BYE!
mated the TR6060 I had laying around. Turns out it's not worth the effort finding a T56. Oh well guess this tranny will work here.
love this shot!
All in! I am going to wait this time in putting the mounts on. There are some unknown factors that need to be bolted onto my motor. Namely the turbo and Serp kit. I want to make sure I have enough clearance before I move forward with a fixed mount. Right now she will sit on blocks till Sunday!
doing the same thing twice.
motor comes out
didn't like my welds that much anyways!
BYE BYE!
mated the TR6060 I had laying around. Turns out it's not worth the effort finding a T56. Oh well guess this tranny will work here.
love this shot!
All in! I am going to wait this time in putting the mounts on. There are some unknown factors that need to be bolted onto my motor. Namely the turbo and Serp kit. I want to make sure I have enough clearance before I move forward with a fixed mount. Right now she will sit on blocks till Sunday!
#13
#14
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#15
In regards to the title. I have a vin plate n title from the yellow car. Slap it on the black body and the tci frame. Finished! I have also put a mechanics lean on the original frame. In a few months that should be squared away and there will be an extra title. I still have the orig 302 and trans that I will use for the beater yellow truck and give to my father.