Looking for help!
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Looking for help!
Ok so here’s the story... Sentimental but needs to be explained none the less!
When I was 5 my dad bought his dream truck... a 1980 Ford F100 flare side. I didn’t understand why then but do now... it is one SWEET truck!
He drove over it for about a year before deciding to park it and fix it up a bit. He did a motor swap (no idea on the specs as to what he put in) and some minor body work such as a few scratches here and there then a complete paint job.
All in all that was back in 1992 and the truck has been in his garage ever since he parked it. My sister became sick with cancer so that took priority over getting it fixed and 3 years passed before she lost her fight. The truck still sits there. Complete and ready to roll minus a few minor things. Exhaust needs to be done, new tires and rims and maybe overhaul the engine even though he starts it every couple months just to hear the roar of his baby “The Beast” as he is a big fan of Beauty and the Beast.
He is wanting to to sell it... Which is breaking my heart after seeing all he has put into it!
My hope is that I can sway his mind a bit. I’m a woodworker as a hobby and the truck bed is all a nice stained wood along with a great clear coat to protect it. His truck is missing a tailgate as it was rusted out. I want to build him a new one out of wood! Problem is I have no idea on the dimensions as to what size it needs to be or specs for that matter. I’m hoping someone here reads the story and can help me out.
I have Ave seen him sweat more at that truck than any other vehicle he has ever had and he only drove it for maybe a year or two. He missed the ride it has and he is retiring this summer so I would like to give it to him as his retirement gift.
Someone please ads help me out!
When I was 5 my dad bought his dream truck... a 1980 Ford F100 flare side. I didn’t understand why then but do now... it is one SWEET truck!
He drove over it for about a year before deciding to park it and fix it up a bit. He did a motor swap (no idea on the specs as to what he put in) and some minor body work such as a few scratches here and there then a complete paint job.
All in all that was back in 1992 and the truck has been in his garage ever since he parked it. My sister became sick with cancer so that took priority over getting it fixed and 3 years passed before she lost her fight. The truck still sits there. Complete and ready to roll minus a few minor things. Exhaust needs to be done, new tires and rims and maybe overhaul the engine even though he starts it every couple months just to hear the roar of his baby “The Beast” as he is a big fan of Beauty and the Beast.
He is wanting to to sell it... Which is breaking my heart after seeing all he has put into it!
My hope is that I can sway his mind a bit. I’m a woodworker as a hobby and the truck bed is all a nice stained wood along with a great clear coat to protect it. His truck is missing a tailgate as it was rusted out. I want to build him a new one out of wood! Problem is I have no idea on the dimensions as to what size it needs to be or specs for that matter. I’m hoping someone here reads the story and can help me out.
I have Ave seen him sweat more at that truck than any other vehicle he has ever had and he only drove it for maybe a year or two. He missed the ride it has and he is retiring this summer so I would like to give it to him as his retirement gift.
Someone please ads help me out!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 116
From: Saskatchewan Canada
Sometimes there is way more going on than just a hunk of steel.
Ask yourself a couple questions. Does your family need the money? Are there memories of the sacrifices that may be just a bit painful now? Do your father's retirement plans not include this truck? It is his choice.
Now, chances are if he sells it, there will be a day that he regrets it. If you are able, why not buy the truck yourself and put it away quietly. Sure would be a nice surprise a few years down the road. (Perhaps).
Ask yourself a couple questions. Does your family need the money? Are there memories of the sacrifices that may be just a bit painful now? Do your father's retirement plans not include this truck? It is his choice.
Now, chances are if he sells it, there will be a day that he regrets it. If you are able, why not buy the truck yourself and put it away quietly. Sure would be a nice surprise a few years down the road. (Perhaps).
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It is totally his choice but I see my mother pressuring him to sell it even though I know his attachement to the truck.
It Would be great to buy it myself and stash it away for him but I can’t do that for 2 reasons. 1 money and 2 I would not be able to NOT drive that truck any chance I get and living in the same city I KNOW he would see it...
Im just looking to add MY touch to the truck as I plan to buy it from my mother should he pass away in the next 10 years.
All I am looking for is something close to the specs on the tailgate and maybe a picture straight on from the back of the truck so I know what I’m looking to make as it’s been years since I saw the original.
It Would be great to buy it myself and stash it away for him but I can’t do that for 2 reasons. 1 money and 2 I would not be able to NOT drive that truck any chance I get and living in the same city I KNOW he would see it...
Im just looking to add MY touch to the truck as I plan to buy it from my mother should he pass away in the next 10 years.
All I am looking for is something close to the specs on the tailgate and maybe a picture straight on from the back of the truck so I know what I’m looking to make as it’s been years since I saw the original.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
Welcome to FTE
What if you took dad out to lunch some weekend and see if you can sneak in something about the truck to see why mom is pushing to sell it and what dad thinks of that?
Maybe dad does want it on the road and needs a little help, father & son project maybe?
You would also know how he feels, keep it or not, and then you can talk to mom telling her how dad feels about the truck and what you would like to do as a retirement gift to it.
This way mom sees both of you together and the truck now on the road she may be ok with not selling it.
Funny how some people see something just sitting and calling it junk and just get rid of it not thinking what the owner wants to do with it.
BTW I will get out to the garage tomorrow and get measurements but I don't have a tail gate yet (brother in CA is sending me one I hope) and the opening I don't know how good it is as I made a custom metal floor to replace the wood on my flare side.
Dave ----
What if you took dad out to lunch some weekend and see if you can sneak in something about the truck to see why mom is pushing to sell it and what dad thinks of that?
Maybe dad does want it on the road and needs a little help, father & son project maybe?
You would also know how he feels, keep it or not, and then you can talk to mom telling her how dad feels about the truck and what you would like to do as a retirement gift to it.
This way mom sees both of you together and the truck now on the road she may be ok with not selling it.
Funny how some people see something just sitting and calling it junk and just get rid of it not thinking what the owner wants to do with it.
BTW I will get out to the garage tomorrow and get measurements but I don't have a tail gate yet (brother in CA is sending me one I hope) and the opening I don't know how good it is as I made a custom metal floor to replace the wood on my flare side.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
Look over the 2 links on flare sides so you can see how the gates fit.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1532223-flare-side-rear-bumper.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1372908-to-build-a-flareside-with-pics.html
Dave ----
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1532223-flare-side-rear-bumper.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1372908-to-build-a-flareside-with-pics.html
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
Riley, Here are the measurements I got from my trucks flare side bed opening, I don't have a tail gate to go from.
54" wide inside of bed
54.5" wide from the lips of the inside bed, This 54.5" is where the tail gate channel on either side would sit and keep from falling into the bed.
19.5" floor to top rail of bed sides
20.25" center of hinge to top of bed side rail
20.75" bottom of hinge to top of bed side rail
I think if you look over the other links you will see pictures of the tail gates you will see what I measured but it is best to see one in person if you can.
Dave ----
54" wide inside of bed
54.5" wide from the lips of the inside bed, This 54.5" is where the tail gate channel on either side would sit and keep from falling into the bed.
19.5" floor to top rail of bed sides
20.25" center of hinge to top of bed side rail
20.75" bottom of hinge to top of bed side rail
I think if you look over the other links you will see pictures of the tail gates you will see what I measured but it is best to see one in person if you can.
Dave ----
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