First Restoration Project
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New User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2
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From: Northeast WI
First Restoration Project
Hey all,
I'm new to FTE and new to the restoration world. I recently purchased a 78 f150 shortbox and a 79 f150 shortbox. One had a great body and one had good motor/tranny. I plan to do a restoration an make one good truck. However, I am new to restoration and was curious if there is any literature or websites out there to sort of walk me through the process...Something other than a Haynes repair manual? I just would like a process of where to start and some tips and tricks. I dont want to just start tearing apart and putting back together not knowing what needs to be done at what point and end up tearing apart and putting stuff back together multiple times. Any help or advice would be appreciated!
I'm new to FTE and new to the restoration world. I recently purchased a 78 f150 shortbox and a 79 f150 shortbox. One had a great body and one had good motor/tranny. I plan to do a restoration an make one good truck. However, I am new to restoration and was curious if there is any literature or websites out there to sort of walk me through the process...Something other than a Haynes repair manual? I just would like a process of where to start and some tips and tricks. I dont want to just start tearing apart and putting back together not knowing what needs to be done at what point and end up tearing apart and putting stuff back together multiple times. Any help or advice would be appreciated!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Huntington WV
Welcome to FTE & Ford!!!!!! There are Ford Service manuals you can get that would help & get some catalogs from LMC, NPD, & Dennis Carpenter for prices on parts. On the 2 trucks what kind of trucks are they Custom, Ranger XLT, Explorer etc... for the trim & what engine & trans do they have & are they 2wd or 4wd?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
From: Rush City, MN
A bit of advise that I might have, is unless you know these trucks like the back of hand, label EVERYTHING. When a person is taking a vehicle apart, their natural reaction is "if I just put the bolts/hardware with the part, I'll remember how it all goes back together. Believe me, you won't, besides the fact that bolts can get accidentally kicked, or knocked off a shelf over time.
Get yourself a good supply of zip lock bags and separate the hardware for each particular part, to a bag, and label them. eg: "front l/h fender bolts". Also, take plenty of pictures, this will be especially helpful in complicated areas. Grab a notebook too, and take notes as you're taking it apart. Another trick, if your body panels line up well (hood, doors, etc) use a small drill bit, and drill through the hinge plate, so you can use the drill bit as an alignment pin when you reassemble.
Get yourself a good supply of zip lock bags and separate the hardware for each particular part, to a bag, and label them. eg: "front l/h fender bolts". Also, take plenty of pictures, this will be especially helpful in complicated areas. Grab a notebook too, and take notes as you're taking it apart. Another trick, if your body panels line up well (hood, doors, etc) use a small drill bit, and drill through the hinge plate, so you can use the drill bit as an alignment pin when you reassemble.
