Okay, I guess I need to start my own thread on here. It will move at a snail's pace, and my quality of work will be nowhere near some of these other really nice trucks on here, but this will force me to periodically record my progress and hopefully keep me motivated. The truck stays at my weekend place so I can't really work on it during the week.

Background: "Lizzy" is a 71 Custom brought here from Las Vegas. Most of her life was a Prairie Yellow 390/auto power steering, power drum brakes truck used by the Nevada highway department. I bought it off the guy who brought it here to KY. The tired 390 and trans were pulled and replaced with a 351W 2v with an FMX out of a 76 Gran Torino with around 80K miles. The PO (previous owner) also painted it wimbledon white. It has no rust to speak of, and is really solid. For some reason, the PO traded the perfect hood to someone for their turquoise green hood from their 67. The hood is in somewhat good condition (could be a lot worse.) The PO also put on it aluminum rims from a mid eighties econoline van.



I drove it as a daily driver for about a year and a half before I started having stalling issues. She would just die when I would take off from a light. Since day one, summertime driving proved very slow cranking when the engine was warm. So when she would die at a traffic light, it was almost impossible to restart until it cooled off. I parked her knowing I would tackle the issue when I tore into the truck. She got parked inside from the elements waiting for her make-over.

 

The body looks to be in really good condition. Looks like the truck has a nice place to stay out of the weather too.

I can't tell for sure but, it looks like the '71 grille is in really good condition. I'd like to find a really nice '71 grille for my '69 F100. I think the '71s had the best looking grilles, followed by the '70 model.

 

I ran my compression gauge through the engine. The compresion read as follows: cylinder #1=115lbs, #2=120lbs, #3=115lbs, #4=100lbs, #5=110lbs, #6=115lbs, #7=120lbs, #8=105lbs. I guess this means I'm looking at new rings, bearings, gasket overhaul... It did smoke some (more out of right side, and usually upon startup and getting on it) and I would have to add oil to keep the level up. This is why I stuck the compression guage on it to get a baseline, I suspected something was wrong.

Plans/wish list:
I want to keep the F-O-R-D letters for the (1967 version) of the hood, but I am shaving the F100 side hood emblems and the "Custom" lettering from the rear bed side. I will go back with the small chrome mirrors, and I originally was leaning towards painting it Black Ivy and torque thrust wheels and recreating a "Bullit Truck" in the Steve McQueen fashion. I also am thinking a vibrant blue. Who knows... I will keep the letters on the tailgate also. I want to shave the drip rail, dual exhaust exiting forward of the rear wheels, 17x8 steelies painted black with no hubcaps at all. Bucket seats out of a fox body (w/o head rests) and short console ala bronco. I have a chance to get a 460 pretty cheap so I might put it in here. I want to use a rear roll pan and also have a receiver hitch for towing. Crown vic from suspension, explorer rear end (with four wheel discs) and 22 gal 1970 mustang gas tank. I will keep the long bed, but I want to replace the center section of the bed with wood.




New bezel and steering wheel:


Hoodscoop I'm toying with:


Most of all work will be done by myself, and working alone (so I will need to work smart.) Budget will be tight, so we'll see how this goes...

 

Thanks Ranger. The grill is in decent shape. It is broken in some spots, but nobody is reproducing the 71 inserts so I might have to make my own (kinda like what HIo silver did)

Incidently, when I bought the truck, it had 1970 inserts on it (I think it is like that on my avatar pic.)

 

Gotta admit, I'm slightly more interested in the rehabed barn than the truck.

Just kidding....

 

LOL, the barn holds 5-6 vehicles if packed in. It is insulated and with central heat, beer stocked fridge and four recliners for my "snoopervising" buddies that visit. Center part is 16 ft tall, and the floor is a poured 6inch slab for a future lift.

 

Looks like you have a good straight truck to work with, and a good place to do it.

 

I'd be deadly with a facility like that... I work with such limited space that I don't even have room to change my mind.

.... I'm looking for a right 71 grill insert. It has broken tab for the polished trim bar and sags.... it really bugs me.

 

nice truck

 

Thanks!
I go through Berea often as I go down 421 to get to Jackson county.

 

Nice truck and great shop. You sound like you have a good plan in place but please ditch the hood scoop idea. JuSt my opinion and it's your truck but they look horrible. Might as well go down to pep boys and buy some Buick vent holes for the side of the hood if ya know what I mean.

 

My $.02 - scrap the Buick side vents but keep the hood scoop if you like it. I like'em on hot rod trucks.


Have fun building it any way you want

 

A 69/70 Mach 1 hood scoop would look right at home.

 

Bed is loose and ready for dollys



351W


Removed some grill pieces before pulling doghouse.

 

Some of the rust I have to replace:


The other spot of rust is the battery tray.