Hey Guys,
I've only been viewing this site for a month or so, but figured I'd better sign up and do it right, as this seems like a great place for asking questions/figuring things out, especially for new guys. I was a part of a mustang forum years ago and it ate newbies up and actually prided itself in doing so (I always hated that about it), but this place seems 180 degrees different, which is nice.

I haven't had a classic anything in years, but recently picked up a '56 F100 since I've always loved the fat fendered Fords. It's rough in spots (drip rails/roof has bad rust), but has some good aspects as well. It's got a Jag XJS front end, 9" rear, and a roller 5.0 with the T5. A PO did all the work but never put a power steering pump on it, so the power rack is shot I'm sure. With the above mods, it's well into a "dark side" truck, as you guys call it. My overall plan is to make it a nice running and driving weekend cruiser that I can take to cruises, shows, etc. I don't intend to make it a show truck that I dump money into (but I know that sort of thing creeps up on you ha). My short term plans are to do the power brake conversion in the stock location, sort out the steering, then relocate the gas tank prior to any body/paint work. I'm sure that'll take me a while though!

So my first question is, when doing the power brake conversion under the floor boards, you can no longer use the stock inspection port right? Do folks plug that up and try to cut a new port, or is it more useful to just use a remote reservoir somewhere? The guy that's probably going to make my kit says he just uses a squeeze bottle and fills it that way. I guess that'll work, but it'd be nice to see the reservoir fluid level, etc.

Well nice to meet ya'll! Thanks.

 

Welcome to the board. Lots of nice and knowledgeable people here. One thing I've heard and might try when I get to that point is to have a piece of polished stainless mounted above the MC to act as a mirror to check level then add with squeeze bottle.

 

Welcome, Cornbread, glad to have you with us. Sorry I can't ans. any of your questions as I lean more to the stock configuration. Just wanted to welcome you and say that I'm looking forward to following your project. Sounds like the PO did a lot of the heavy work and you have a lot of small things to finish up. All the folks here know some things but none of us know all things. Collectively, this forum is a great source for knowledge. When you ask questions, we all learn from the answers and fill in the gaps. Post some pic. of your truck when you get a chance. We like pictures. Most importantly, have fun with your project.

Gil

 

I just wanted to give you a big FTE welcome. The way your truck looks in your album is exactly like one a friend of mine had in High school. In fact it was that truck, that inspired me to finally get an old Ford. I cant answer your question, because I replaced my MC with a stock one. although a lotof the guys seem to go with a power assist, I'm sure more that have will chime in.

 

Welcome to the forum! That sounds like a fun little project you've found. I hope you have fun with it. I will recommend that you do yourself a big favor and step up to the remote reservoir for your underfloor p/b unit. Adding the booster puts the m/c under the seat, so it's about impossible to service even if you did cut a new hole in the floor. You can do the squeeze bottle trick, but it's huge pita not to mention the hassle of cleaning everything whenever you need to crack the lid. And as you've noted, you can't see a thing up there. The remote reservoir can be mounted behind the seat or on the firewall or anywhere else that's handy and higher than the m/c itself. That's my 2c, but maybe I'm lazier than most.

 

Welcome to FTE! I agree with 52 Merc. I installed power brakes under the cab and fought the fluid check with mirrors until I decided to get a remote reservoir. Not a problem anymore. Some members have done away with both holes in the floor pan by using the remote reservoir and moving the battery under the bed.
Keep us posted on your progress and post some pictures!! We love em.

 

Welcome Cornbread, like your name and the 56 is ok also although I don't know much about those newer trucks like yours so won't be much help on the questions either but sometimes I talk alot and my bull ship may dazzel you. Welcome dude.

 

Welcome Aboard Cornbread!
Nice truck - Are you leaving it flat black?
Good name - though I'm not sure about cornbread outside of the deep south.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Welcome to the forum....2 posts and you're already a supporter! That will cut out some of the advertising that slows things down.

Yes...this is a friendly site with a lot of history and a lot of advice!!

Dan

 

Thanks guys! Good tips already. I hadn't thought of putting it behind the seat once I relocate the tank. You're right Ben, cornbread can be suspect in some parts of the country. I grew up in Texas, and it's a nickname I acquired somewhere, ha.

 

Another Welcome to the Forum. Don't hesitate to ask anything, I have asked my share of questions that some might think simple but have never got beat up about it. Some gentle ribbing occasionally, but usually no rude replies.

 

my 56 has the power booster in the stock location - I didn't build it - but I like it. The power brakes & 4 wheel disk set up makes it stop better than my 2012 dodge.

The builder cut a larger hole in the floor. I have not checked the fluid level yet - but I've only had the truck a couple weeks & spent my time so far fixing the power steering leak.

You may be able to plug in a power steering pump & surprise yourself on the rack - then again....

anyway - with the battery under the floor I need access to the floor so having the access for the brakes is no great loss.

 

Welcome aboard . No right of passage here , after all they let me in . Sounds like a good truck to start with . Remote reservoir will make it easier to monitor fluid level .

 

Welcome! Like you've discovered, the folks here are happy to help. I would be lost on my F4 without their help. It's different (and bigger) than the stuff I've dealt with in the past, and these guys have been a wealth of help and knowledge.

 

Not 100% sure on the paint color I want to go with yet, but I'm leaning towards a satin reddish brown. Kind of like the old primers, but a little more brown in it, with a little more shine too.