Another new member Dethomson

[80351]

Welcome to the MD chapter of FTE. Tell us a little about yourself.

[dethomson]

Hi All,

I live on Kent Island (Stevensville, MD), an area most anyone would have driven through when driving RT 50/301 from the western shore of MD heading east to one of the MD or VA beaches.

For a decade or so, I have been kicking around a '78 F-150 SC 4x4 351M that I rebuilt using donor parts from 3 or 4 trucks. Most everything is stock rebuilt. The truck started life as a no air Explorer. I added in XLT wiring, air, F-250 springs F&R, Dana 60's F&R, heavy duty 16" aluminum wheels, off road 32's (boy they're loud), a good hitch, dual tanks, and dual batteries.

It doesn't have any limited slip or locker difs, so I've never had it out in the mud. It does do great in a few feet of snow though. I mostly use it for hauling trash to the dump, pulling my camper, getting dirt and mulch, and other general hauling. I'm tired of getting cramped into my '97 Explorer XLT when we go to the beach, so this summer, I'll probably change the 'drive on the beach' sticker over to the F-250.

My bed was never redone and is long past being shot. I also have some new rust to fix in the rockers and a couple other spots, so I'll be taking care of that sometime soon. I bought a '76 CS 460 that will be ponying up its 4 core radiator, doors (rusted inside bottoms), dual tank bed w/ toolbox (rusted wheel archs), and hood. Most parts need some TLC to clean up, but they're fairly solid.

My 351M got a new carb in November and is running good, but it doesn't have the power I'd like and I'd rather not fool around with putting on a 4 barrel. It even seems to get good mileage now and runs on 87 octane. I need to replace some exhaust now, so I might go ahead and swap in that 460 if it checks out ok. It had a cam and a double roller timing chain added over a year ago.

I am hoping to add a front locker dif, a limited slip rear dif, and rear disk brakes. A tranny cooler would be good too. Even a nice heavy front bumper to replace the junky factory one that looks good but won't stand up to an ant. This is probably nuts, but I've really been toying with the idea of shoving in a V10/tranny/xfer someday.

If it weren't for that wimpy 351M/2 barrel, I'd say it's been a great truck so far. The 8400 GVW really lets me fill it up, the extra helper springs from the '76 CS will add to that a bit.

I had seen a clean, rust free truck out in California (looks like a good donor), but I never investigated it since I'd have to ship it to MD. Anyone know a good shipper?

Later,

Dan

[BPofMD]

Hi Dan...looks like you've spent a good deal of time with your truck! Good luck with finding a doner....seems to me you could find something a little closer than CA for one tho...long haul and big shipping charges now with the fuel prices!!

Stop by in the B/S thread and say howdy to all of us that hang in there!

[glruff]

Welcome Dan, from your Delaware neighbors. Great bunch of guys in the MD chapter!

[80351]

Welcome Dan,
Stevensonville, man has that place changed.
My X had an aunt and uncle that lived there
in a trailer community. Spent many weekends
and vacations there.
Also have/had a buddy with a company called
Armin Overhead Door.

[dethomson]

Yea. This place has really changed over the decades. It's gone from an agricultural area with corn/beans/wheat everywhere, to homes and more homes.

BTW: I take it the B/S reference from BPofMD is to the Buy/Sell and Trade forum?

[80351]

Nope Dan sorry,
it is exactly what it looks like,
Shoot the Breeze
and actually where this conversation would continue.

May 2008 B/S volume 7

[jr32560]

Originally Posted by dethomson

Yea. This place has really changed over the decades. It's gone from an agricultural area with corn/beans/wheat everywhere, to homes and more homes.

BTW: I take it the B/S reference from BPofMD is to the Buy/Sell and Trade forum?

depends on what your selling!!!-nuttin but b/s here~~

[Jermafenser]

Welcome! Another 73-79, eh? Ask me if you need anything about that dentside.