My name is Victor. The story of my 1946 Ford truck was a saw a kid in high school with one (stakebed) and instantly fell in love with the fat fendered Ford. Everyone seems to think they look ugly with the waterfall Grille and not very popular in the Hot Rod community. But, I love the body lines from every angle. Its much better looking then the previous 40-41 and 48-53 in my honest opinion. At 13 my Father bought me one sitting in an old Farmers field. It was my dream to get it fixed up but, we were dirt poor and never had enough cash to really get the project going. Fast forward 18 years. I now have the means to put in all my time and effort bringing this Truck back to life. Please follow along!!! Die hard Restorationist may disagree but, I think I'm making it look a lil better then Henry Ford did off the factory line!

 

Started off by sandblasting the original frame. Once back in the shop we squared it up and made sure it was true. Took the time to fill all the hundreds of holes in the frame. Called Bob at Progressive Automotive out of Ohio. Super friendly guy who is happy to help with any suspension piece you need, all built in house. I want the truck to sit low like a sport truck but, not too much like a Low Rider! Stance is very important for any vehicle. I personally believe these old trucks look better with just the right tire and rim combo, not the tall tires they came with and lowered. Decided to go with Air Ride so I can adjust the ride height up to 6" when parked or cruising.

Frame Rails Boxed-X Member

Mustang II with Air Ride



Power Booster

Rear 4 Link Air Ride

Rolling Chassis

Since then I have now got a Moser 9" Rear out back. The 8" Rear End out of a Mustang will no longer handle the power I'm planning on. Up front we added a Power Mustang II Rack and Wilwood 6 Piston Brakes on all 4 corners. All suspension parts are from Progressive Automotive.

 

Ford Racing 427 Stroker Engine. 535 Horses. Eldebrock Pro Flo Fuel Injection. Billet Specialties Front Drive.



Transmission is a Lentech AOD straight from Canada.

 

We have done extensive modification to the stock body to improve the look. I think for the better. My style is subtle. Not too much so only I can tell what I did or another owner.




Fender Seams Before





Welded the Front Grille Panel so the Front End is one piece now. Added Frenched headlight buckets. I'm not running a front bumper so we filled those holes.

 

The hood has always been a bit of an eyesore how it pitches up in the front, especially if your truck is raked like mine. So I decided to take 1" out of it and pie cut it. Shaved the center molding, welded the center seam to make it a one piece hood. Filled the side vents.











Filled the front where the ornament used to go

Just right. Not too much!

 

Floorboards were rotted out. Replaced them with new ones. Filled the Gas Cap Filler and Vent Holes. I have never been a big fan of chopping tops. It looks silly in my opinion. The roof is raked nicely already and I'm 6' tall. We smoothed the rear seam tho, shaved the rain gutters and B Pillars, and went with suicide door hinges.





Before

After

Before






Hagan Suicide Hinges

No more Drip Rails

 

In order to better show off the the engine we went with custom inner fender panels. Chip Foose puts it nicely how the engine bay is like a jewelry box. Once you open the hood there is the jewel inside!


Stock Inner Fender Panels

Bead Rolled & Better then Stock to show off the jewel

Blended in nicely to match the stock.

Performance Rod & Custom (PRC) Custom Radiator. I ordered mine about 8" shorter then the stock. It stuck up way too much. Going to make a triangular latch cover to fill the void...

 

I originally ordered Colorado Customs 17x8 Front and 18x8 Rear rims. After smoothing everything I decided they looked too small in the wheel wells. (I'm selling the front Rims 17x8s, with BFG KDWs tires 225/45r17, 245/45zr18 still new if anyone's interested!!!)

17x8 Front 18x18 Rear

18x8 Front 20x8 Rear...Fill the wheel wells better in my opinion!

 

Well here is a few more pics. The bed is almost finished and the running boards are just about wrapped up.

 

VERY VERY NICE!!!! You definitely have some skills!

 

Chris, Love your build man!!! Been eagerly waiting for more updates!

 

oh boy !!! do you have talent. i would like to watch someone do sheet metal work like that. your roof is amazing!

 

WOW! You have done everything to the chassis and drive train that I am planning on doing to mine! Jealous that you are way further ahead of me! I love the look too! Awesome job

 

Well...since you asked!

 

I really love how it sits lowered on a Mustang II IFS. I know I cited Progressive Automotive but, the customer service and tech support is top notch! Good luck on the build do you have a link?