Hey folks, Vince here! I bought my first 56 on December 2nd. Well, I bought my first two. One with a 460/C6/9" POS and 3.00 gears on a late model 70's clip. The other has a 292 with manual transmission (not running), and most of the body complete.

Original intent was to do a RestoMod. Plan was/is to steal the cab from the chassis that is mostly complete and put it on the 70's clip. I wanted to add an IFS, power steering and some other goodies and get her on the road. Well.....I didn't do my research. I was thinking the 460 would match the year of the clip. Turns out the 460's year is 73'. Now I'm not sure if I want to push forward with a meager 212 HP or try and sell it and get something else. Would make since to do the easy swap since the engine/tranny has already been installed but I'm not sure. Either way I'm pushing forward and wanted to start documenting the build.

 

Loading one of the two trucks
Trucks have landed!

 

Hey Vince
Welcome Aboard! Looks like you have a good start.... You saved a lot of
time starting with a solid cab. After much deliberation we went with
a 351W for our motor... nice HP & it fits. Anything in the 289/302/351W
family will work for your truck. If the 460 in there already works ...drive it
for a while & see what you think.

I'd take a good hard look at the grafted on front end as a good place to start.
Looking good over there in Alabama!

Ben in Austin
1950 F1 (351W/AOD)

 

Hey Ben
Thanks for the welcome! Honestly, the cab looks solid but she's got some issues the more you stare at her. Needs new glass all the way around, possibly a new hood, front fenders might be better to replace vs rework, new bed, etc. It will be a challenge, but one the kid and I will enjoy. Going to make some memories

"Grafted on front end"......The guy I bought the trucks from said I should be able to unbolt a piece from the original 56 frame and bolt it to the other clip. Think the piece held the front bumper and stuff together. Is that what you are talking about? All together I hope the cab swap is as simple as he made it sound lol....

I think I'll take your advice and see if we can make the 460 work. As long as I don't have to really start working cab modification or it doesn't affect me putting in a IFS, power steering etc. I'll go with it. We shall see!!

Thanks
Vince

 

Good luck on your project Vince. I would also run the 460 awhile to see how it is. You may be surprised how good 212 HP is in a small truck! What type of rear suspension is in that? I don't see any springs in it. Looks like the grey truck has good floors,etc. Where are you located?

 

Welcome to FTE Vince.
Pictures!!!
Since the 460 is there go for it. I had a 74 Tbird with a 460 that would push that ole tank plenty fast.
There’s also another part of FTE for engines. You may get some pointers to spice up your ride.
Can you please take some pictures of your 70s clip? You might be able to just change some parts to get power steering.

 

The support arm going to the frame looks ford truck .

 

Went back and saw what Ebear is talking about. Looks to be a twin I beam truck suspension. Now I’m wondering if it’s a complete frame swap.

429-460s were built from 1968 to 1998 many were used in heavy duty Ford Trucks. Lots of low end torque.

 

Between the I-beam front stub and the home brewed ladder bar/mile wide F150 9", I would pluck the 460 and tranny, and throw the rest of that frame away. I'd pick the better of the two cabs, and build off the primer truck. In the end, you'll be way ahead then trying to fix someones "fixes".

 

That 460 can be swapped fairly easily to pre 73 specs to get back to the top rated 375. The main things would be to put in a straight up timing set rather than the retarded set that would have originally been in it. Then check whats heads are on it. Dove heads are the higher compression heads. If it has the stock d2ve heads, they are are the worst ones. D9ve are pretty much just larger chamber versions if the dove and are pretty cheap.

 

Welcome Vince! Fantastic stuff!!!

 

Greg,

There's not to say about the suspension. Whatcha see is what I got. So, eh hem......what am I missing lol??

Vince

 

Greg Rogers ~ I'm in Cedar Bluff, Alabama. Mighty cold here the last few days. Where are you at?

BJMayberry2 ~ Thank you for the warm welcome. I'm already liking the site. Definitely finding a lot of good information on here. As soon as my phone finishes charging I'm going to get some more pictures. I really would like to know exactly what I'm working with. Again, the guy I bought it from said it was a late 70's clip. He is unaware of where the engine came from. All he knows is he bought it the way you see it.

GickNordon ~ D3VE-AVA is what's on the value cover. From what I understand that is from a 73' Lincoln.

Eberhama ~ I might spill my cookies if I have to just toss it. I specifically bought it because it had the rear end and gearing I wanted already in place. Was trying to save some work believe it or not lol. The black cab is scrap. There is nothing salvageable in it.

I'm going to take some more pictures of the chassis and post them. You boys feel free to chime in and let me know what you think I should do. Really I'm not after a garage queen. Just something that run solid and looks nice when I ride to the hardware store. Most of the work I can do myself. I'm a quick learner and pretty handy, I've got more tools than most, but I've never done any of this lol.

Thanks,
Vince

 

If the roof is solid on the black cab the cab could be worth selling for parts money.

 

I'm very much a work with what you've got kind of guy, but no part of the frame is inspiring any confidence from me. I think you'll find the track width of the front and rear are too wide and will put the tires well out side of the fenders.