I'll start this thread with somewhat of a introduction. As some might know, i've been on these forums for awhile now. Mainly to learn about my truck as i have been slowly fixing it up. My name is Zachary Buchanan, i am 19 years old, and i am going to school to become a electrician.

What i have is a 1981 2wd F-100. Currently is a longbed with a 9' rear end, 302 backed by a C6 transmission.

This truck was my first vehicle at the age of 16, just 3 years ago. But over the past few years my love for this truck has grown alot. Which is my main reasoning for restoring this truck. Over the few years i've owned it i have already replaced and fixed alot of things, but currently im in the stage of tearing everything apart on it. An restore/replace/paint everything on it too bring back to "new".

In the end im planning on the truck to look pretty well stock besides a few of my own touches. (already have aftermarket stereo/speakers, 31x10.50 tires on mickey thompson rims, dual exhaust....ect..) The paint will either be a gloss black or gloss dark green, still not positive.

As for the engine i honestly haven't thought too much on... Any input on good swaps or what a good base plan would be appreciated. I know how to drive manual and actually prefer it, so its kind of a thought in my head. Also help on which engine to use...302/351/460? A 460 seems like a good idea in my mind, for this truck will just be a street rodin truck to keep around and have fun in, so gas mileage wont really matter and a 460 would bring alot of power.

Anyways, i plan on using this thread to keep my progess updates on the truck. Going to do alot of work to this ol gal this summer.

Heres a picture of the beast as of a few days ago.

 

Appologize for the large picture above haha, will have to start resizing photos.

Here are a few pictures of the truck when i was 17 i believe. This is when i had first started kind of working on it. Was mainly working on the body at this time. Whew look how low that rear end sat at that time haha.

 

Here is a few pictures of the progress of dismantling it. Im actually further than the pictures show. I currently have both fenders, all the front, the hood, and both plastic wheel wells removed. Tomorrow, id like to get the bed removed and possibly finish replacing the pins and bushings in the doors. (passengers side is done, just needs aligned.)

 

Nice, Im glad you are leaving it "stockish". I would go with gloss black with a little bit of chrome . If you are not towing or working with the truck a lot, I would suggest leaving the 302. With a little bit of work they can turned into a screamer (just look at the mustang) and sound sweet. Theres still nothing like a big block rumble though. But a 302 would be lighter on the front end, much easier to work on in the engine bay, and get better gas milage. Gas is getting more expensive by the day. When this truck is done I'm sure you will want to drive it...a lot. Plus they are bulletproof, mine has over 240,000 miles on it. Also, it would be neat to keep the original engine and drivetrain. It would mean more to me that way. The money you save on the engine could go towards that gloss black paint job I mentioned earlier haha. This is all my opinion of course. No matter what you do it will be cool and as long as you are happy it doesnt matter. I look forward to watching your progress.

 

SUBRSCRIBED!

Cant wait to see what comes of the old girl! Good luck on your jorney!

 

Looks good.
I'll be following right along.
BTW, the larger pics don't bother me a bit.

 

I am in the middle of doing my own truck right now, and look forward to following along with your progress. I also don't mind the large pictures. Actually, I prefer them. It's nice to get a better picture of what is going on. Good luck!

 

Nothing wrong with a 302 & I like to keep it a stock as possible. Good luck & keep the pics coming.

okiepc1

 

I'll be watching too.
The large pics don't bother me a bit. With a 6Mb/s line, and 1280 x 1024 screen, I rather like the bigger pics.....

 

Same here.

 

Thanks fellas. Been kinda fun workin on her so far. (im sure to change once i run into some problems haha)

If yall don't mind the large pictures than ill just put them up! It is kinda nice being able to see more detail in the pictures!

Worked on it for a bit today, got the other fender well off, had to do some cleaning of the shop/putting up and storing parts, than i started on the bed. Just have two more pesky bolts that i will have to tact down too get the nuts off than i will be removing the bed.

Will get a few update pictures tomorrow.

Sort of leaning towards keeping the 302 in my pickup. For one i already have some parts for it, and also i figure the money id be saving for not buying another motor/trans, means i will be able to put more into this 302/ and the truck in general.

 

Well I haven't been able to work on the ol gal as much as i wanted to. Ran into some problems last thursday. When i was working out i ended up tearing the cartilage in my lower discs of my back. Hurt so bad i could hardly walk the rest of the day. Luckly, im feeling much better than i did and will be able to start my new job on monday.

Anyways i was still able to do some work to her. Finished removing the passengers fender and wheel well plastic, started dissassembling the engine compartment some, did a bit of body work, and i got the bed removed. Luckly, the frame is in good condition, just a bit of rust but it comes right off with a cup wire brush. I'd imagine this is the famous swiss cheese frame people talk of on these old trucks??

Next i plan on removing whats left of the interior, than im going to see what i can do about removing the cab. How the hell im going to do this im not sure yet... Any ideas are appreciated! (got a uni-loader, tractor, and quad ranger at disposal)

Heres a few pictures of some of the progress.

 

Removing the cab is not very difficult. It is just 4 bolts holding it to the frame. Me, 2 friends, and my brother (oldest being 16 at the time) were able to take mine off. The easiest way of doing it would be to take as much off and out of it as possible, get 4 guys and lift that sucker off of there!!

Truck is looking good BTW!!

 

Are you planning on doing any treating of the frame at all? Paint or anything? I just got done doing most of mine(until I pull the motor, and then I will do the rest), and I used the por15. It is a bit expensive, but a really great product. Just throwin it out there. Pic's are lookin good.

 

Thanks FORD F250. Im thinking the uni on one side and my friend and i on the other and we should be able to get it off hopefully.

Jthorn, for sure. My plan was to wire brush the whole thing, than was either planning on painting it black, or the por15 has been in my mind too. (That is the stuff that you basically paint on over the rust and it just converts it too black paint right?)

You say you already did your frame in the stuff, how much did you end up using to do the whole thing? What did it cost you? Would this stuff be good to do the bottom of the cab/truck bed too? Or should i just use undercoating for that??