Ok, first off a little about my passion for these trucks. When I was a kid my Uncle had a 79 F250 with a straight six and a four speed. Eventually through some trading the truck became mine. I was in high school though and like a lot of kids I didn't take very good care of the truck. Eventually the motor seized up and like an idiot I crushed the truck for some fun money. Any way fast forward about 5 years add a wife and two kids and I bought this truck. Is it perfect? Not even close, does it run and drive? yes Was it exactly what I wanted? no maybe not but it was in my budget and left me some extra money to get a few things I needed in the shop. It is a 79 f250 4x4 with a 351 and a four speed. My plan for this truck is to make a reliable pickup, I have a crew cab Chevy that is my everyday truck but it doesn't have the style this old girl does. I will just make this reliable, and presentable not a show truck but something I like to cruise around in. Eventually I may put a flat bed on it unless I can find a super good deal on a decent bed. Enough with all the talking huh? How about some pictures!
This is one of what the guy sent to me when I responded to the Craigslist add.






Ok so when I got there it was Ruff to say the least. But I liked it and I had drove 3 hours so I bought it. After I got it home I flushed the tank and put fresh gas in it. I drove it around for a while but it was cold out and there was a bit of a draft coming through the floors.





So I knew I needed to get that taken care of along with wanting to do a few other things. I ordered some replacement floors from LMC and patiently waited for them to come in.




Then I needed a welder, I could barrow one but I really hate doing that so I waited until it was time for my bonus from work and went and bought a new Hobart 190. Let me just say this was an excellent investment and so far I am impressed by this machine! My welding skills however leave a bit to be desired..... With my minimal experience I set to work getting the floors put in.
Passenger side got done first. I ground the welds down and then used some seam sealer over the top of them. Mainly because I was scared my welds would leak...


Followed by the driver side




That brings it up to date. I want to get everything sealed up underneath and then I will spray some kind of bed liner on the floor. just haven't decided a brand/ system yet.

 

Nice work. Good start.

 

Good job and kudos for jumping in and getting a welder. Though the initial outlay can be a princely sum, just think of the shop rate others charge to do what you have done. Bravo...it pays for itself real quick.

My college's motto is "Learn By Doing"... and you have got it done. No worries about booger welds at this time. Practicing on floor pans and patching rust holes is good, productive practice.

Going forward, I suggest 3M Brushable Seam Sealer instead of that spray stuff.

 

Nice. And I thought my holes in the floor were big. But good start.

 

Thank you, I have welded before but have never really been good at it, I decided a floor was a good place to start, 1 because it will eventually be covered up and 2 because if I warped it I wouldn't be as concerned as I would be on a fender or something. .... With that being said the seam sealer I used was something brush able but I don't think it was 3m. The spray can was some of that rubberized can stuff that I sprayed on top of that just to see what it was like. I may coat my entire floor with that and then spray a bedliner in as well. Then I have to decide what color I want my interior......

 

Thanks! It's a long way away from where I want it but each day I get a step closer....

 

Haha it was most definitely full of holes but those patch panels really cut out alot of work! And the instillation was easy and straightforward as it gets....

 

save what you cut out already and practice on that stuff also. thats how i got started with my grandpa. throw me a pile of scap iron and say "here make something with this".

 

Nice job and nothing better than jumping right in. Looks like a nice project to get going.

 

I have some flat stock in various thickness' that I borrowed from work that I have been practicing on. I am getting better but definitely have alot to learn.

 

Thank you, I couldn't agree more. I enjoy tinkering and honing new skills so this should satisfy me for a while. Who knows maybe the boy will want it when he gets to high school; )