Have a 55 f100 it has bed terrible shape, fenders great shape, cab, great shape but gutted, front sheetmetal and running boards great shape.
No engine or trans, The cab has nothing, i mean litterally everything must be replaced, from dash instruments, steering column, windows, etc.

It has stock front and rear suspensions, and drum brakes.

Would i be better off parting out the few, but, very requested good parts. Or waiting and biding my time getting the parts for it. It looks a bit intimidating about right now. Ive had it for almost a month and all the research and stuff that ive been doing is making me feel a little uneasy about this one.

I am not going for complete restoration, but im thinking right now i need to get a new perspective.

Anybody that wants a frame, wheels, crappy bed and empty cab, ill exchange it for one that has mustangII IFS, 4wheel anti-lock brakes, 351 with 600 cfma edlebrock manifold and turbo AOD trans, to a 9in posi rear end, keyless remote entry system with electric windows.
:-staun
:-X12 LOL come on santa claus!!!!:-X12
Or if ya need the good stuff, let me know, and ill just keep my eye out for a better project truck. $1000

Yes this is someone who just sat down and ran the figures of what his dream machine is going to cost.

 

i'm just starting on a 55 f-100 and I wish I had cab and front fenders in excellent shape. I got mine with a good solid frame, stock front and rear suspension, gutted cab with corners that all need replacement, tough front fenders, real tough rear fenders, a box that's essentially junk and anybody around here (southwestern ontario, canada) that has seen it says its in pretty decent shape.

I'm planning on rodding it so the missing engine /trans is no issue, the custom gauges and bucket seats I want will just go in and nothing needs to come out. With the 5.0 EFI, I need new wiring any way.

It really becomes a question of what you want to do and how much you want to do yourself. i believe that there's a whole bunch of guys out there that would love to start with what you've got.

I say go for it. just my $0.02

John

 

Plan A) Get another truck with worse sheet metal, and mix & match parts to make one good one. The easiest place to find parts is on another truck; otherwise you could be scouring swap meets and wrecking yards for months.

Plan B) Get a decent 70's/80's/90's truck, and put the cab & front clip onto it and you'll have all the luxuries like power front disc brakes, power steering, independent front suspension.

 

Thanks for the tips,
Any info on the modifications of the chasis? Which model? plan b sounds like a great idea

Garth and Cody Jensen

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Jun-02 AT 10:25 PM (EST)]For plan "B", I guess it's a tradeoff between:
1) what you can find and afford
2) what platform gives the features you want(2WD or 4x4, drum or disc or ABS, etc)
3) what fits; critical dimensions would be wheelbase and location of firewall, and width of frame and wheels.
4) or how much cutting and welding you're willing to do to make it fit

A minitruck (like a Ranger) might be a better fit than a full-size; and there's all kinds of aftermarket suspension junk if you want to slam it into the weeds later. Walk around used car lots and wrecking yards with a tape measure and look for inspiration. If you can get one, buy a scale model of your truck and test it against other scale models of newer trucks.

 

I say you stick with what you have, Rome wasnt built in a day. And when you are done, you will really appreciate how far you have come. I just did almost all of the bodywork on my truck, and with the primer shot on it, its starting to take shape. Pace yourself, and do one thing at a time. I started with my engine and tranny. 2 1/2 years and counting. Most of all have fun!!!

Thats what I suggest.