This is what I started with in Jan. 2014.





For the most part a solid 1961 f100 step-side. It was originally I6 with a manual trans. When I bought it the previous owner had already done the Crown Vic. swap and had a Explorer 8.8 in the rear. He had planned on using a 460 and a C6 for engine and trans. For $1000 I didn't think it was a bad deal. The 460 and C6 also came with the truck with various other pieces.

 

I was able to sell the 460 and some of the parts that came with it for $650 dollars and my search was on for a different power source. As luck would have it I found a 4.6l engine, transmission and rear end out of a wrecked 2000 Crown Vic. with only 24,000 miles on it for $1500 off of Craigslist. One of the first steps was too mock up the motor and trans.


I also new that I wanted to get rid of the leaf springs in the rear and I also felt it would be better too use the rear end that was matched to the rest of the drive train so I pulled the Explore rear and used the rear from the Crown Vic. The Explorer rear had 3.73 gears and the Crown Vic . has 3.55. I also picked up a triangulated 4 bar off ebay and a set of coil over springs and shocks for the rear suspension.






I moved the rear end back about 3/4 of an inch so I could use the original aluminum driveshaft.

 

moving the rear end back 3/4" should pretty well center it in the flareside fenders if yours is as off as mine .

 

It does center it better. Using the Crown Vic. rear end doesn't leave a lot of room between the bed and tires. I will post more pics of the build later.

 

Here are some more pic's of the engine install. The brake booster is from a 2004 crown vic with a mid 90's explorer master cylinder and a generic GM disc/disc proportioning vale.



Here is a picture of the fuel tank install.


The rear cross member need to be moved a little for the tank to fit. I also need to grind some on the frame and add some rubber strips between the frame and fuel tank to keep it from rubbing metal to metal. I also needed to cut some off of one of the cross braces on the under side of the bed so it would clear the top of the fuel tank.

 

After mock up was done my dad and I started tearing the body off and cleaning the frame for paint.




Then we started reassembly.

 

The cab had a few rust areas that need to be fixed. Floor pan patches, front and rear cab corners and cab mounts were replaced.



I also used a rubberized under coating on the bottom of the cab.

 

Next we started on the inside of the cab. I filled some of the holes on the dash and molded in the crown vic light switch as I was going to use most of the crown vic wiring. I also used the steering column for the crown vic and the delay wipers.

I also started in on the body work.

 

Truck was originally a short step side bed but I prefer the standard side bed, so only one thing to do.



Bed was in pretty rough shape but there wasn't a lot of options out there so I took what was available.

 

Is that a 66 comet in the back?

 

Yes. 1966 Cyclone GT. 390 4 speed. My dad bought it new in 66. He raced it since it was new. He ran in a modified production class with a de-stroked 428 (370 ci) and ran 10.94 in the 1/4 mile.

 

Very nice, comet I restored a 66 for a buddy of mine 3 years ago

 

We next set the drivetrain back on the frame and mounted the cab.



The motor is a police unit so it had the oil cooler. We used the original lower radiator mount that fit with little modification.
My dad fitting the back of the bed together.

 

Interior coming together.

Cab and front end painted and going back together.

 

Going through the wiring and removing what wasn't needed.


Installing power windows and door locks.