I'm pretty close to you I'm 30 miles south of bloomfield iowa. I'm like 7 miles from the iowa line

 

Cool, I'm over by Ottumwa Iowa, maybe we could get together PM sent.

 

No modifications needed to the rear crossmembers:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...2-96-97hd.html

I bet Rock Auto has a better price on that tank though.

 

Yes that is exactly what I wanted to see and hear idk how I missed that write up. Thank you for the rock auto tip. Wayyy cheaper. Love to save money on this big of a project. Anything to help with funds makes the project go faster

 

Sorry for the delay in my reply.
To remove my cab I took the doors off and gutted the interior. I then used 4 large eye bolts with 2 nuts and 2 large fender washers apiece, one in each cab mount location. Once I tightened the nuts down I hooked 4 short chains to each bolt and to a load leveler on the engine hoist. I used the leveler to balance the cab from front to back. It took a few tries to get everything hooked up right, but once I did it worked really well.
Inccedentally, I used a similar method to remove the bed. I should have pics of all this in my gallery, but if not, pm me and I'll be happy to send them to you!

As far as putting in a larger tank to replace the dual tanks, here is the best way to do it. Order a Bronco gas tank for the same year as your truck. You'll also need new lower straps (the uppers are the same) or if you can get your hands on a Bronco skid plate that would be better, and a Bronco sending unit so your fuel guage works properly. I would also recommend using a plastic tank instead of steel.

Have you tried Broncograveyard.com? They have better prices on some things than LMC.

So I'm wondering, what direction are you going with this truck? How come you didn't go ahead and get the frame sandblasted while everything is stripped down?

If you need any help, feel free to hollar. I'd be glad to give advice or ideas.

 

It was just a time vs money issue. Acidising the frame cost me 30 bucks. I know a few people that have done that before and then used chassis saver paint over it and its held up very well. Its not a full blown make to 100% factory spec restoration. Its just it was the only new vehicle my dad has ever bought in his life and he's turning 70 this year so I'm doing this for him. Plans are to fix the cab rust put on a new bed, fenders, and radiator support and fix or replace anything mechanically wrong with the truck. I have a like new grill headlight assemblies and front bumper found for it. He took out a gate with it right before he parked it, because the throttle stuck on him the same way it did on mom when he was pulling it out into the field to rot. The plans are to getting running and looking good again. Stripping the frame down wasn't all that much work so we decided to clean the frame up while we were at it. Im going to do some upholstry work to it as well. I just want it back on the road again before he's too old to enjoy it. It sat for several years and I knew he would never get around to it.

 

heck im damn close to you!

 

Wow you are.

 

Well its been awhile since I've been on here. Been really busy and haven't had much time for the old ford. We decided to go a different route on painting the frame than using the chassis saver. We finished cleaning it up and got it in primer. I will post a picture soon