Hey guys im from Arkansas and just recently aquired a 1955 Ford F100 in a trade I did for sandblasting a powder coating a 1956 Ford F100 frame. I plan on doing a complete frame off custom build on this truck. IFS with a late model running gear from a Mercury Grand Marquis. 4.6l AOD. Here are just a few pics of when I went to get the truck.

 

After getting the truck "home" and tearing it all down piece by piece I noticed the door hinges and a couple interior trim/ashtray brackets could use a bit of TLC so I had a few minutes in between jobs so I bead blasted them down and sent them through the powder coat oven.

 

I had a little spare time at the shop the other day so I managed to begin the sandblasting process, got the hood, and fenders blasted and primed. Couldnt get all of them in the photo shop but you get the idea.The bed, doors and cab are next this week.

 

very nice work. you are making great progress with your "little" work sessions.

 

Welcome to the forum. You did good with pictures right off. Most of us like pictures.
Be careful blasting on those large panels, they can warp.
Looks like a great project and you're making good progress.

 

Welcome to FTE!
Great start, I can't wait to see future progress. Thanks for starting off with those pictures.
What part of Arkansas are you from?

Also, I see your profile says you are a firefighter. So you need to take some time and check this thread out.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...heetmetal.html

 

Welcome aboard, and congrats on your new truck (to you). You're doing right.

 

Welcome 55F100rod,
Must be nice to have sandblasting, powder coating and paint at your finger tips. Looking good!

 

Thank you guys for the warm welcome. Other than being a Firefigther/EMT, I have owned my own sandblasting ad powder coating business since I graduated high school in 2001. I have over 4,000 man hours under the hood and have blasted close to 100 different vehicles so I definitely know about large panels and caution spots. I always take before an after shots of everything just cause its cool to see how things change. I will keep everyone posted as much as I can. Thanks again for the welcomes

 

Welcome '55,
You've got some vision starting from there. The one secret to making these projects work is to start with as solid a cab/metal as possible. You look like you scored if you've already sandblasted & primered your fenders & frame!

You end up replacing most of the mechanical stuff so it's the body/cab that take the most effort. I was too chicken to try an EFI on our truck - I think if I did round two I'd go that route to get better gas mileage & more consistent performance.

Looking good up there in Arkansas. We were up near Fayetteville last year looking at the Univ. of Arkansas for my daughter - absolutely beautiful.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1 351W.

 

Thanks Ben it is nice up here. I haven't done anything to the frame yet. Going to put the IFS on it and later model rear end/ running gear. Once it's all fitted into place then ill pull it apart and powder coat it all. As far as body panels,...I need a left rear cab corner and left front cowl panel. Other than that it's all very solid and remarkably straight for its age. I need a new tailgate which I'm in no hurry for & running boards. Both of which I can get easily reproduction. I am looking for a '55 grill. Been looking for a bit without much luck. If anyone has any leads I would appreciate them. Thanks again.

 

Man you have a nice setup. At the rate you are going you'll have a running truck by the end of the year. Having your own sandblasting and powder coating company sure adds to helping your build. What part of Arkansas are you?

 

I am from Russellville, Ar. I-40 runs right through it and I'm almost at the halfway point between Little Rock & Ft Smith ( west central part of state). Man I'd live to have this truck going by end of the year but I don't see that happening. On a very tight budget and my 2nd son is due next month. I may have it running and driving by end of year but not 100% complete with all paint and interior work.

 

With your sandblasting and powder coating setup you probably will be able to do a lot of trade off work. If I was closer I would be knocking at your door. I got all kind of left over parts (including two tailgates) I'll trade off for sandblasting. There's a lot of guys on this site with extra parts. Hopefully there's a few guys in your nick of the woods which can help you out.

 

3golf, thanks and you're right. I'm all about doing some trading. I am the only person within about 40-50 square miles that still sandblasts for the public. How much would you take for one of your tailgates and shipping to 72802? Just whenever you get time an think about it, no rush. Also this week I will probably try to snap a few pics of the donor car. And the wheels I'm going to use. Swapped out powder coating a set of Ford model A wheels for a set of GT500 18" wheels, they are spray painted black and had full intentions of powder coating them silver but I may actually wind up polishing them out. Gonna try a wheel and see how much labor is involved for the end prize.