Rob, I met a guy in San Bernardino, CA that has put 7 McNasty kits on and he glad me a couple of tips and I wanted your input.
He said that you need to put a 3/8 piece of steel under the hood hinges to make everything line up "easier".
The 11 hood struts will not work and a new bracket for the hood struts should be added about 2in or so closer to the front.
The antenna will need to be cut off and the metal at the AC pillar needs to be flat, as it's raised slightly.

 

Rob, I met a guy in San Bernardino, CA that has done 7 McNasty kits and he gave me advice. What do you think?
He said that it's help to put a 3/8in piece of steel about 5in under the hood hinges, as it helps line everything up better.
That you need to cut your antenna off and flatten the slight bend metal below the A pillars.
Add new mounts for the hood struts about 2in closer to the front.

 

I used fender spacers under the hood hinges but you could use a steel plate but with spacers you are able to add or remove or put thinner or thicker spacers to get the correct height but either will work.
dont cut the antenna, you want to cut the antenna mount off the new hinge. I have on one of my eariler pages on where to trim the two inchs off at the roof pillars and I also show how to drill your existing hood struts to make them work.

 

Also, I was told that I needed to buy a special adapter to plug in my headlights into the new headlights. Any truth into that? I'm getting pretty excited now that I have all the parts except the miscellaneous bolts, but with work, I'm not going to be able to participate in the build. Do I need the push Inn fasteners 4x2 (5) #w714584s300

 

I did the 2000 to 07 conversion before and got the cheater cables with my 07 headlights and they work so if you have the 05 thru 07 lights then you should be good. Yes you need fasteners 4x2 (5) #w714584s300. When are you doing the conversion?

 

Ryan, you and I are on a similar schedule. Ok I dont have all the parts, but I ordered Mr. McNasty's () kit and a front bumper. As soon as I have the McNasty kit I will order the rest from my local dealer where I have access to a wholesale account.

 

What are the fasteners for? My brother has started taking everything off now. I'm not going to be there for the build, but I asked him to document everything.

 

Surf Craigslist.. I've found basically all my parts major there, but I am driving a semi across the US too.


I'm very excited about my $300 hood

 

Craigslist...well....that takes a lot of effort/time/driving. The big ticket items like hood and fenders will need to be repainted to match anyway, so why not just go with a new primered version? Less work for painter too.

I tried to buy an almost new bumper from a dude last week and he just wouldnt meet me part way. Ended up finding one from a place that build's tow trucks and just unbolts bumpers off of newly purchased F350s and ships them. $350 plus shipping for a chrome bumper assembly (valance, brackets, license plate mounting bracket, hardware etc), $250 for black painted bumpers plus shipping.

Easier to just buy online.

 

They attach the inner grill to the upper grill support.

 

I drive all across the US in a semi, and I have plenty of time/effort and driving doesn't affect me. I have probably less than $2000 for all the parts for the conversion including a complete bed that I'm going to use for the rear quarters. So craigslist has been very good to me. Luckily, the painter/installer is my brother and I'll help when I can, it's tax free $ for him

 

I can't see mine costing less than $4000 just for front, in parts, using a combo of OEM new and used.

Never mind the domino effect... Wheels, interior, dash...$6k... Before the cosmetic makeover is complete. That's not even including the bed, mirrors, projector headlights...

Still ten times cheaper than new or even newer truck especially if the truck is well maintained. Mine has a new tranny and rear axle. Still has many years of use left in her.

 

I totally agree and don't forget the interior swap too

 

That's why I doing mine and you know what you have when your done. You can try talking to the parts department a the for dealer and tell them you intend on buying a ton of parts and can they give you a discount. I kept my front end at around 3,500 and every part is new. I got my brand new bed on Craigslist from a guy that does take off's and builds these trucks into tow trucks and whatever else for 2,000 with a new empty tailgate. It pay's to shop around if you have the time.

 

Rob,

I have a wholesale account at a Ford dealership.

What about the paint on the new bed? Does it match? or do you need to have it repainted?