I am starting my build thread here for my current restoration project named Psychobilly 78'. The name is from the Johnny Cash song, One Piece at the Time. The project has taken a few turns up till now, but I now have all my ducks in a row to make a nice hard start on it next Saturday. I will post pics of my starting point tomorrow, as it is raining today. But here is the low down...

Truck is a 1978 short bed Ranger F100 two wheel drive with a 302 and a C4. Rear end is supposed to be a Dana 60, but I have my doubts and have not been able to verify yet.

The truck will be receiving a new cab and bed, possibly a tailgate and hood.
The color will be a grey/silver and I have managed to allocate a full set of perfect thin side molding for it in a junkyard find. It is for a long bed, so I will either try to find a short bed set, or shorten what I have. The interior will be black with some red accenting, as will most of the under hood detailing. A nice custom stereo system and some LED lighting will wrap up the interior.

Under hood, the 302 is leaky and tired. It will be built into a mild 306 with KB pistons, Ford Racing aluminum heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Street Demon 625 carb, MSD distributor, long tube headers, March pulleys and some other dress up goodies. The C4 will receive a shift improver kit from B&M. A 3G upgrade will be in the works as will a new AC setup. 4 wheel disc brakes and improved steering will round out performance upgrades.

The goal is a clean, comfortable and reliable truck with a little 300HP attitude. Spray in bed liner, custom wheels, a 2/3 drop and smoothie bumpers round out the appearance list for the short bed.

Target date for completion is September 1st, 2015.

 

update?
please

 

Can I ride shotgun

I had a 77 shorty 2wd w/302, 4spd, it had a ford 9" ....years later I swapped in a 5 lug D44 from another dentside I scrounged parts off of. I'd be willing to bet that's what is under your truck and not a D60.

Scribed and cool project!

 

Its been raining every afternoon, but I will get the pics come hell or high water today.

 

and way to hot out to do anything. I'm heading to the junkyard tomorrow and dreading it. I'm just going to collect parts and start when it gets cooler. I hate florida summers.

 

Amen on that!

 

Does it have 5 lug nuts and no removable rear cover, Yes...its probably a 9".
No it has 8, then does it have a removable rear R&P access cover, yes.. D60.

I guess a guy could put a D60 back there and do a axle swap to get a 5 lug rear?

I believe a 9" was standard in a 2wd SB, no problems though a 9" is tough as nails and can be even made stronger with axle upgrades ect...

Why you think chebby guys use them in there race cars.

 

I know what a 9" looks like, it is not a 9". It is a 5 lug rear, same 5x5.5 lug pattern as the front. I have not identified the rear yet. It is not a 9", PO said it was a D60, and as I stated, I doubt it's validity. I have never seen a 5 lug D60.

 

I was not implying that you did not know. Maybe its a 8.8??

"From 1979-1984, the rear axle was typically a Ford 9-inch axle, with the Ford 8.8 axle being phased gradually until the 9" was finally phased out by 1984"

 

 

D44 -3 ...from the '78 ford shop manual volume1 group15 axles and driveshafts

 

A Dana 44 rear is what I first thought. I am trying to post pics now of my starting point and the rear axel. The PO claimed that he installed the rear end. I am almost positive it did not come with the truck.

 

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Another way to tell a D44 from a D60 is the diff cover bolts
D44= 1/2" wrench or socket to remove cover
D60= 9/16"