New member, 1st post. I'm in the process of doing a complete restoration of my 77 f150 300 I6 4x4. I've got evey thing off, and I'm down to the frame and drive line - having a hard time getting the bolts out of the rear leaf springs. When I parked it everything worked, drove great. Question what should I replace/rebuild in the drivetrain, suspension, and brakes? What are the weak spots? the last thing I want to do is put it all back together and have something break!

 

Welcome to FTE!!! However, thats a pretty broad question. Part of keeping these old vehicles on the road is knowing how to diagnose and spot troubles. If its a driver and everything was working good then there should not be much to replace. If you are doing a restoration, then to me a "restoration" means that every nut and bolt comes out, everything is cleaned and inspected and replaced as you find necessary. It is all then reasembled, painted and polished to perfection. Most people have no idea what a "restoration" truly involves. And yes; I have done them that way. I am currently working on a '72 Chevelle that has been taken down to the last nut and bolt. I've been working on it for 9+ years as finances and time allow. I also own my 78 F150 that I drive daily and have repaired numerous problems that I knew it had when I bought it. I have done a lot of work to this truck and still have more to do. Even when I get it to where I want it, I will not tell anyone it is "restored" because in my mind it has not been. It will however be a really nice driver and is probably a lot nicer than some of the so called "restored" vehicles I have seen in my life. My point is: If you are in doubt about the condition of any particular part of the truck, do your research, learn how things are supposed to work and then you will be able to spot problem areas. There is a wealth of knowledge on this forum that is willing to share anything they know about these trucks; myself included. So when you have it narrowed down to a particular system, ask away. We all have to learn somewhere.I'm not trying flame you here because that definitely is not my intention. It's just that your question was so broad in scope that no one will be able to help out much until you narrow it down.

 

78 PEB is right on the restoration. Most of us settle for refurbish.
Start with cutting the spring center bolts and replace them since that is where you are now.
These old trucks didn't have many weak spots. Pretty solid units. That is why there are so many of them still on the road or being preped for the road. Rust is usually the biggest problem with them at this age. Replace all soft items, bushings, hoses, and all wear items. Anything that has been altered from stock original, try to bring it back if you are looking for originality. Inspect all bearings and if any doubt replace. Have fun but don't make it so nice that it becomes a trailer queen. These old things were built to drive and work.

 

i agree with both of these guys. to me a restoration is as 78 described. most end up being resto mods which is just as good in my mind (well most of them). id consider mine a restomod as its going to be far from original but everything is coming apart and being repaired as necessary or replaced. in fact, im using NONE of the original body at this point, i have parts from at least 20 different trucks.

 

ok restoration might have been a little overboard. I have done many of them and know what it takes to do it correctly. My question was simply intended to get some insight in to what iteams should be replaced even though they are currently working, given I have complete access now. If there isn't any then great, I'll just replace the wear iteams, clean, paint, and put the drivetrain back in.

 

i repeat everything the guys already said....i prefer the term restomod... restor to goodlooking condition but modify what i need to make it work for me...

 

I honestly wasn't trying to beat you up. I promise. I just think that if there wasn't anything serious wrong with your truck before you took the truck apart, then there shouldn't be anything more serious wrong when you put it back together if you put it all back together correctly. The point I was trying to make is that it's pretty much your call as to what to replace and what not to replace. Soft items are usually the first to go, so if they are bad or suspect they are; it's probably best to replace them while the truck is apart. If you already have replaced it and you know its good then there is no need to do it again. Same would apply to any part on the truck, bearings, tie rod ends, U joints etc. etc. Like the other poster said they are pretty tough old beasts and I've seen some stuff on them that is so worn out or so cobbled back together by some shade tree "mechanic" that you wonder how it ever held together as long as it did. And no; mine is not going to be a "restoration" its going to be "refurbish mod" I guess you'd call it. Its going to end up basically stock looking on the outside, upgraded interior to include a decent stereo, more comfortable bucket seats and center console (already installed) carpet instead of rubber mats, sprayed in bedliner, and I am in the purchasing/planning stage of a 4BT Cummins/zf 5 speed/twin stick transfer case conversion. At some point down the road it will probably get ARB air lockers in both the front and rear differential. It's going to be transformed into the truck I want, built by me, and not FOMOCO, Dodge or Chevrolet. It just so happens that I think the 78's and 79's are the best looking pickup any manufacturer has ever built and I like my Fords. I'm just using Fords old body and the pieces that they " got right". This is also my daily driver for the most part so it's still getting driven while I'm doing most of this work. And I'm sure that there will be repairs that will need to be done even to the upgraded parts down the road. To me that stuff is just maintenance. I've had trailer queens........done with that. This one is going to be built to drive and when you drive 'em stuff happens ya know? They are going to bury me in this one.........with my Harley in the back!!!!!!!!