Just bustin bolts with the title. I hope the sense of humor comes across as intended

I found this 1959 f100 short bed a year ago and have been working on it every night, after working my day job. The original intension was a restoration, but the drivetrain and frame were too far gone to use any time soon. It's on my list of things to restore but I want something to drive this year, and I wanted to go a little faster than 50, so...

At the time the 59 f100 was aquired, I had a police interceptor with low mileage--a 1995 P71 that T boned a civilian and got totaled--Mostly body related. I ended up using nothing but parts from both to make this hybrid functional.

After it was functional, I added some upgrades: wiper system, Ac/heat, in dash gps/head unit/radio/DVD/cd player, 1000watts of sound, camera system and monitor, seat job, some metal and body work on the dash, light rail reverse, vintage spot lights, glass, tracks and seals, gauge cluster, defrost, 16" steering wheel, upgraded lighting and lenses, rims and tires, mirrors, badges, bezels, and some other shiny stuff.

I did what Is believed to be the first chop of a late 50's f100 hood. Narrowed the bumper by 6" and tucked it in too. Big difference in wind noise and field of view. Subtle change people see but can't pinpoint. Also spent a ton of time on the tire locations--18x9 rims in the front and 20x10 in the rear. It goes down the road better than I ever could have imagined. I love it!

The purist side of me had a hard time moving forward with this restomod. This is how I convinced myself it was the right thing for me to do, with this truck: It was dead and wasting away. Had I not, It'd still be rotting in a field, everyday, until it was gone. Instead, we get to cruise in it everyday, until I'm gone. We generate more smiles and waves than one could believe. I can't believe some of the looks on people's faces or the reactions we get.

At any rate, here's what I'm building. Thanks for viewing

Apoligies in advance. I can only post one image at a time... Better with metal than buttons. Lol

 

This is the first and only 1957-1960 hood chop I have ever done or seen. Some call it pancaking. Check out the gap over the grill and under the hood--about an inch less.
Has anyone seen this anywhere? I find it hard to believe no one did this before, but that would be pretty cool!
You can see the bumper mod here too. Took me about 3 months to convince myself the car gods would forgive me for the sacrifices, but... I don't hate the look.
No regrets after my first drive over 70. Wind noise is waaaaayyyyy less and field of view is way better!!!
Ford, ford f100, 1959 ford f100, f100 1959, lowered, chopped, pancaked, Lucky Red, hood mod, grill mod, restomod, rat rod, crown vic f100

 

The lowered 1959 ford f100 stance is slightly adjustable with air assist shocks. I tow with this thing, use it as a daily driver, and pick up loads of wood at the depot. It's still an f100. Don't let the crown Vic drivetrain fool ya.

Ford, ford f100, 1959 ford f100, f100 1959, lowered, chopped, pancaked, Lucky Red, hood mod, grill mod, restomod, rat rod, crown vic f100

 

This picture makes me think I spend too much time wrenching and not enough time on the house... Note the 2 tone paint job.

Ford, ford f100, 1959 ford f100, f100 1959, lowered, chopped, pancaked, Lucky Red, hood mod, grill mod, restomod, rat rod, crown vic f100

 

I need to spend some time on the engine bay but here's where I am at the moment. The ecu is in the ss box where the battery usually goes. The entire harness was reduced to fit in that box. I frenched the fuses into the top. Useless fact: it takes 7 milk crates to hold the nonessential wires gutted from a police car.

Ford, ford f100, 1959 ford f100, f100 1959, lowered, chopped, pancaked, Lucky Red, hood mod, grill mod, restomod, rat rod, crown vic f100

 

Here you can see the dash I smoothed out where the speaker was. Another 3 month hesitation was taken before chopping the dash to accept the gps/dvd/cd/radio/head unit. I ended up adding a pistol box and Ac/heater. You can see the trans tunnel and glovebox I made while replacing the floor. Most of it is made from stainless, so rust should never be an issue again. I have a love hate relationship with rust... Fun to look at but I hate getting it removed from my eyes.

 

Another pic of the interior. 7 gauge cluster, new wheel and seat work. Spot lights and wipers. The steering wheel is 4 inches higher. The bottom of the column is flush with the bottom of the dash. Plenty of leg room!

 

Poor mans dynomat... Peel and seal. Best bang for the buck! No droning sound, less heat. The seat was move up and back 2". You can see it in the angle of the seat. The floor and pedals are 5" forward. When doing the firewall and floor I made it fit me better.

Ford, ford f100, 1959 ford f100, f100 1959, lowered, chopped, pancaked, Lucky Red, hood mod, grill mod, restomod, rat rod, crown vic f100

 

I like this view of the 1959 ford f100 better than the ones with the doors closed... But then again I liked test driving it with shot tires, no bed, hood or doors, sitting on a milk crate.
Got different looks back then, but it was crazy fun!

Ford, ford f100, 1959 ford f100, f100 1959, lowered, chopped, pancaked, Lucky Red, hood mod, grill mod, restomod, rat rod, crown vic f100

 

Random pic


#f100, ford f100, fordf100, rat rod, street rod, resto mod, crown Vic f100, red, wood rails, 5 star rims, wood bed, restoration, body off, interior, lighting, hood chop, bumper mod, hot rod

 

Another angle of the 1959 ford f100

Ford, ford f100, 1959 ford f100, f100 1959, lowered, chopped, pancaked, Lucky Red, hood mod, grill mod, restomod, rat rod, crown vic f100

 

Sunday washing

Ford, ford f100, 1959 ford f100, f100 1959, lowered, chopped, pancaked, Lucky Red, hood mod, grill mod, restomod, rat rod, crown vic f100

 

Now I'll spend the next 3 months thinking about paint or not. What do you think?

Ford, ford f100, 1959 ford f100, f100 1959, lowered, chopped, pancaked, Lucky Red, hood mod, grill mod, restomod, rat rod, crown vic f100

 

Nice work! I'm a Restomod guy all the way. I like your wheel choice and wondered if 20's would fit the rear. I have a 57 I'm going to be building up and want nice wide tires in the back, I like how yours looks. It does look good without paint but I like shiny stuff so I say paint it!

D

 

I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to the older iron. But, I think your truck looks great! I love the subtle mods you did, the updated drive train and frame is great for something you actually drive. In the end, it is all about what makes you happy.

Do you have any before pics? Especially to show the hood and bumper mods.