Hi guys, just thought I'd drop a few lines to introduce myself and show you guys what I'll be working on.

I live in Oklahoma City and growing up my dad had a 1974 F-100 long bed. Some of my earliest memories in life are my dad and uncle dropping me off at daycare on their way to work. I would be in the middle with my feet propped up on their toolboxes using them as a footrest. I remember loading up the truck and taking it on some of my first camping and hunting trips, sleeping in the back of it when it had the camper on it. Fast forward 30 years. My dad is up there in age (76) still owns the truck, and just recently my Uncle passed away. This had me thinking, I need to get this truck back on the road and enjoy it with my dad before something happens to him.

What I know about it:
1974 F-100 purchased by my dad in 1977 with 30k miles.
Originally a 360 but was replaced with a 390 after he threw a rod in the original motor. The current 390 has low low miles.
3-spd Column shift with no Power Steering.

What I'd like to do:
Convert it to floor shift automatic, (just bought a rebuilt FE C6 yesterday for a smoking price)
Add Power Steering
Redo the upholstery on the bench seat, reupholster the dash
Possibly modern wheels.

Top Pic is what mine looked like as of yesterday:


Bottom Pic is what I would love for it to look similar to but keep it longbed. (Very easy I think)

 

Welcome to FTE and keep us posted on your progress. And make sure you join your FTE Oklahoma chapter.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum92/

 

I would clear coat it exactly how it is not a gloss more like a matte or a satin finish. Love the old patina look, especially with the green.

 

I think clear over original patina looks phony, like something the Gass Monkeys would do. But that's just me. I'd leave the patina alone.

 

Yeah I initially had plans to paint the truck but the more I look at trucks with the patina look the more I like them. I'm torn on whether to even clear over the patina or not. I've seen some where it looks good and some where it doesn't. What is the best way to remove the primer over the surface rust? I was thinking about wet sanding it

 

If you do a gloss I would agree with you, but I have seen some hotrods and ratrods done with a matte or semigloss finish and as long as you keep it to 1 or 2 coats they come out nice. Too many coats and it starts to get glossy. Plus I'm in NJ and you have to protect it or the air eats it alive.

 

Welcome to FTE!!
As far as the upholstery goes, it's very easy to recover a seat. You can do it yourself for under $300 as long as you reuse your foam cushions. As for the dash, it really is "you get what you pay for" kinda thing. The easiest is to buy the whole dash pad that replaces what you have, but it will run ya around $200. You could recap your current one for less that $100, but they hardly ever look great, more like "good enough". Or you can go the way I went. Vinyl from Walmart, a sewing machine, and some 3M adhesive. Post #34. Definitely not stock looking, but it will do for now, until I buy a new dash pad to replace it.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-thread-3.html

 

I'll give you a little rain on your parade and tell you not to go with a floor shifter. I've got a 4 sp manual and there is no getting around it. You on the other hand have a perfectly functional bench that can seat 3 across. Some little shaver with his feet kicked up on tool boxes between his uncle and father would never again happen.

 

This is something I literally just called my dad and talked about. I think finding an Auto column and hooking up the linkage may look cleaner and prevent us from having a floor shifter in the way. How much of a pain will the linkage stuff be?

 

That depends on your patience and mechanical knowledge & ability. But, if you get in any trouble during the conversion, there are plenty of knowledgeable guys (and maybe girls) here that can help you out.

 

Welcome to the forum! I'm fairly new here also and just up the road from you in Tulsa.

 

I just found an Auto Power Steering column from a 79 today here local for $50. So I guess we will see how it goes.

nice EagleChief what kinda truck do you have?

 

Not sure, but it should work in the earlier Dent. I was going to advise you to look for a stock automatic column too. If you were closer, I might be hitting you up to sell the old column, but it's probably as worn as mine...

 

Are there any differences in the 79 column and wiring or will it be a direct swap for my 74?

 

I think there are some slight differences in the '78-'79 columns, but I forget (never knew) what they are.
Regardless, I think they can still be pretty easily used in an earlier truck.