White Lightnin' Build thread (88 F150 4x4)
 

Ok so already I do have a build thread but in the projects part of the forum I don't get many ideas flowing to help me out really. So I decided since this truck is my baby I would make yet another build where it will be seen and get more ideas flowing.

So, here is the history of the truck first: In 88 this truck was bought by a lady whom bought it to pull a 4 horse gooseneck trailer (which in my opinion is to much and very unsafe as light as this truck is) and used the truck to do this for about 5 years till the poor old C6 trans couldn't hold up any more and gave out. So, the truck sat for about 2 years till a local (closed now) dealership purchased the truck got it running and had the C6 rebuilt with every high performance upgrade it could get back in 95 and was set up to do repossessions so it had a stinger on it. They kept the truck until in 2006 they bought a brand new super duty with a tow bed. They sold my 88 F150 to a local mechanic (who again is shut down recently) and he took the distributor and intake manifold off to convert his 85 F150 to EFI in 2009 (so it was driven for 3 years till then). I moved to this town in July 2009 and saw the truck and January of 2010 my dad pulled in and bought the truck for me at the age of 14 for a project/ birthday present.

Now it has been 2 3/4 years since buying the truck and I have slowly with what money I can raise and my dad's help I have been fixing it to get it running. When I got the truck there was a drop in bedliner, the bed was partially taken off, the front windshield was cracked and the back window was busted out, the interior had trash in it, and had a both front and rear bumpers totaled. For free we got a parts truck 89 F150 302 EFI 2wd that the motor was shot in and I began some work. First by putting the intake manifold on the truck along with a brand new fuel rail and some used (good) injectors. My dad right away bought a windshield and slidding back window in a package deal from one of the local glass shops.
Right about now you are wondering probably what is good about this truck. Well the body is almost perfect shape (no rust and few dents).

After getting the intake manifold on we were playing with truck (with the neighbor) and the truck ended up shooting fire out of the intake (because my dad put the gas in there and it caught). Luckly nothing was hurt nor nobody but after that we decided to hold off for a while on working with this truck (plus a few personal things came up). In between then and the next time I had something happen I replaced the front bumper (with one that had no trim on it and was straight) along with took the drop in liner out took some rattle can and sprayed the bed over the surface rust it caused, put a ladder rack on it, and cleaned the entire truck very well.

On June 13 2011, we had a house fire causing the right headlight to melt but no other damage other then the paint bubbling.

In 2012, we went to move the truck and ended up having the truck roll into a ditch, because of my dad leaving the t-case in neutral, causing the left front part of the bed to get a dent and the front fuel tank crushed.
Later on in 2012 I replaced the coil, plugs, and plug wires and got close to getting her to start but no luck.

So between then and now I got new fuel tanks and pumps for free (used), fender flares (worked off), free diamond plate side rails, and a few small accessories I will add in this thread later below.

So over time I have figured out that I believe the timing is way off as me and my dad didn't know to time it when we installed the dizzy.

So specs on the truck:
1988 Ford F150 4x4 302 V8 C6 auto transmission 3.55 Limited slip differentials, manual hubs and t-case, custom package, long bed regular cab, and vinyl floors and seat.

Parts installed:
Distributor from 89 F150
Intake manifold from 89 F150
control module (my dad always replaces this)
rotor
distributor cap
fender flares (got because I want to keep mud off the truck)
custom and F150 badges
right headlight (free had it)
a new bug deflector ($25) I hated the old one
cup holders (Free off craigslist)
slidding rear window and rubber ($125 in package deal installed)
front windshield ($150) which the company installed also and it leaks
Cb radio bracket (under ash tray)
Sony speakers in door (free cousin gave me them)
my brother fixed the tailgate (wd-40 a breaker bar and paint)
Chrome diamond plate side rails (free)
front bumper (wish license plate bracket)
bed fixed along with gooseneck hitch
fuel tanks (free from buddy with fuel pumps good)
plugs (auto lite for now)
plug wires
Working on getting to timing it
airaid intake filter (free from buddy who didn't want it anymore)
and probably more I am forgetting


Now parts already on there
chrome tip
old bug deflector (gone now)
Walker muffler (hate it I want a thrush pack)
cat delete
all emissions deleted (still has 02 sensors)
gooseneck hitch
seat cover (my damn dog ruined it)
probably more I can't think of.

And next posting will be pics then what I want to do.
Trav

ok from start to finish this is what the truck looked like when bought minus there was trim on the bumper before (fell off on the trip home).
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...8FordF1503.jpg
after putting the ladder rack on (which is now off) (forgot to mention above I took the stupid plastic antenna off for a stock one) the bumper is the new one just it got messed up before this pic:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...rdF1504x41.jpg

took the ladder rack off to put on another truck:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...adderrack1.jpg
the flares installed (Crappy pic)
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...theflares3.jpg
after fixing the bumper again:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...SANY0031-1.jpg
couple of interior shots:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...SANY0025-1.jpg
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...w/SANY0026.jpg
underneath shots (all surface rust:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...gbuiltup13.jpg
bumper brackets:http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...gbuiltup12.jpg
front ya she needs cleaned again:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...gbuiltup11.jpg
front coils I think it is sagging a bit but not sure:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...gbuiltup10.jpg
back of front end (no leaks just build up over the years:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...ngbuiltup9.jpg
You can kinda see the custom y-pipe in here but not the best:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...ngbuiltup8.jpg
rear end:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...ngbuiltup7.jpg
The set up of the old brake line which is now fixed:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...ngbuiltup6.jpg
muffler which again I want a thrush pack:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...ngbuiltup5.jpg
rear end again:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...ngbuiltup2.jpg
after fixing the light and next to one of our trucks we recently got rid of (which is about the stance I want:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...pandmoved4.jpg
and most current the new bug deflector:
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...deflector9.jpg

Ok so now I just want to say that most mods and such will be a while because like I said before I have little time and money between my family building a house, garage, building a Harley (which is soon to be mine), school, and other stuff. But, this thread will be updated as I do the mods.

So, the mods I want to do:
Body:
fix what little dents there are
fix the rust (all surface)
More work on the tailgate
probably darken the tail lights a bit
either a roll bar (really thinking on this one most), truck box and headache rack, or leave it plane
New black grill (it is a little faded and I hate chrome grills)
new paint (probably summit white and gloss black or similar)
thinking cowl hood but don't know
diamond plate tailgate cap
some mud flaps (probably Harley Davidson ones)
Harley rear window decal
new rear bumper (chrome) (or a spare tire style one from bronco air)
brush guard rechromed and installed (or a front winch bumper custom or from broncoair)
custom tail light gaurds

Performance:
obviously get it running but bump the timming up some for more performance
thrush pack either out the back or out each side with chrome tips 2 1/2in all stainless piping with some long tube headers
when engine gets weak or I get enough money rebuild probably bore over and such
Rebuild trans same as with the engine
put 31s on till I can get a leveling kit or a lift to get either 33s or 35s
put a locker in the front and rear (if I go to 33s or more regear also)
Warn premium hubs
Full MSD ignition set up
probably more I am not thinking of right now

interior:
Harley seat cover
Harley steering wheel cover
Cb radio (Cobra 90 series preferably)
Led lights in console
New sanyo radio (doesn't have one currently)
A behind seat organizer
Sanyo speakers behind seat
put in a tach and other gauges
redo the vinyl
Harley floor mats
either get a new seat or have my buddy reupholster a custom one (keeping bench)
put chrome metal door handles and window rollers
chrome pedal covers
a rifle rack in the back window

Chassis:
repaint it all (por15)
like I said before leveling kit or 4-6inch lift (prefarbly 6in with 35s)

Other:
Tint the windows
a whole bunch of lights

There is probably more I am not thinking of right now but oh well.



Any other ideas on what I should do? Also if you have any questions about the truck just ask me I can find out.
Trav

Man, I didn't realize that truck had been through so much! If I could add a few suggestions:

-Skip the MSD ignition, unless you were just talking about the sixlitre tune up stuff (MSD coil, cap and rotor). On a stock motor, or even one that's slightly hopped up, those fancy ignition boxes really aren't needed, and one more thing to break.

-You definitely don't want a locker in the front diff. They make the truck do weird things on slippery surfaces. Heck, a locker in the rear diff will make it do weird things in the snow/ice. IMO, a limited slip rear and open front is a decent setup, unless you're planning on a dedicated mud/off road truck.

-With 3.55s and a C6, I think 33s would be a decent combo without having to regear. Your low end torque, which the 302 isn't known for anyway, won't suffer much. And at highway speeds with the C6, the 33s will keep your rpm at an acceptable level.

-Again, my personal opinion, but I think 4" is the maximum I would go with a TTB setup. The drop brackets add increased stress on components that weren't designed for that. I'd go one step further and say 2 1/2" suspension lift and 33s would be perfect.

-Those flares are in great condition, but I think they look a little out of place without oversize tires. Once the 33s are on though, they'll look great!

-If the motor does get tired at some point, or you're facing a rebuild, opt for a 351. Way more low end torque stock, and any mods you'd do to the 302 will work on a 351.


All of that said, you're lucky to have a solid truck to begin with, not having to repair rust and rot is going to save you a LOT of time and money!

Yep she has been through a lot.

Yes that is all I was talking about for MSD swap.

Well then I will just go for a LS then as I do drive in snow and rain and such. It already is LS but I want a little stronger one.

Cool another thing to save on for that part. I am really looking at a leveling kit and 33s or 31s and that would look great in my opinion. The Blue ford above was a 86 F150 with 31s and a leveling kit but could get 33s under there. I really love the C6 so going to keep that for sure.

The flares are made by Lund but I don't think they sell them anymore my buddy had them in a shed for one of his many 87-91 fords and decided he didn't want them. The 235s are just to move it around right now until she is running then I will get 31s or 33s.

I love the 351 but our 89 is one already so I don't care for having the same truck. Plus our 86 F150 302 above had tons of power so I think I will be ok on that part thanks for the recommendation though.

Thanks for the compliment yes I am a bit lucky.

Also decided to go with the roll bar for a off road look.
Trav

Ok so I need a few ideas. I have a roll bar for a ford truck but it is for a short bed. What do you guys think I can do for mounting it and still looking good? or should I just keep looking for one for a long bed?

Other reason I decided roll bar is that the truck will have bed space still to haul what is needed like my Harley.
Trav

Skip the roll bar. We are not in the 80s anymore. And beside, there is no go way to mount one for a short bed in a long bed

ok brad then what do you suppose I run? A headache rack and truck box?
I need the bed space so tonna cover or similar won't work.
Trav

Do you need a headache rack and tool box?

not really our 02 F250 has a truck box and both our 89s are flatbeds so I don't need another work truck which is why I turned to a roll bar as I like the look personally. All I really need is a truck that is 4x4 does what I want and tows my Harley and maybe once in a while other small loads of junk. The 86 F150 above use to have a roll bar and I liked that look just never put it back on after using it as a work truck.
Trav

Ok, that answers your question, No tool box, no headache rack

Alright so today I went out and fixed the glove box lock before it wouldn't lock correctly. I was able to take it apart and spray some Wd-40 like fluid in it and got it working locks great. I am hoping to get some measurements soon on the roll bar I have to see what I can do with it. (sorry Brad haven't crossed out the roll bar idea but I do take your comments into consideration.)
Forgot to mention above that I did put the stock antenna on as I hated the platic one on there.
Also I have some 3/16s about sized steel I am thinking about making a winch carrier or skid plates out of as I feel that some parts of the truck aren't covered enough.
Lastly trying to get some ideas to draw up on my interior been thinking about going black and adding some chrome in it and Harley stuff in it (like floormats and similar). The interior doesn't have any broken pieces or anything other then the seat having a small rip. Although it is faded from Arizona sun which is why I am thinking going black (in my part of Arizona it doesn't get to hot).
So what do you guys think of these ideas?
Trav

Where would your side exits be located; before of after the rear tires?

I would think long and hard about Black interior, because it DOES get hot!!
If the sun has damages the interior, that is proof alone

If I did side exits probably after the rear tires but would think about before the 93 F250 4x4 we use to have had it like that and I like that sound. So really it is undecided.
The one I mostly want to do is out the back with chrome tips and such as I always liked that look.
Brad the sun has damages in the interior as the truck was in Pheonix area new and that caused the interior to start to get sun faded (luckly not to bad). Our 02 F250 and our 85 Chevy G20 has a black interior and never gets hot in them. I will still take your words under consideration though as I don't want to go to crazy on the interior.
Trav