So not really a project, but I thought I would detail the progress I've made on my 1996 F150. The backstory: A buddy and I found the truck when we were clearing out his backyard. It was sandwiched between a shed and the woods and vines and growth had covered it. The inspection sticker was from 2005. Here's some pics from when we cleared away all the overgrowth and discovered it:




After I got her all cleaned up:



All clean - missing the left mirror!


I knew I had a solid platform to work with!

It was dirty and moldy but 100% rust free. We talked about putting it back on the road, but life and high school got in the way. Right before I was to leave for college my friend lost his life in a motorcycle accident. His family got in touch with me and gave me the truck. I decided to get it back on the road to honor my friend's memory. I got a title for it, and got to work. All it took was 2 new gas tanks, a new windshield, and a little emissions work and it was safety inspected, passed emissions, and was registered. Here is a photo I took when we first got it on the road:



Back from her first day on the road: registered, inspected, and 100% legal!


After that it was just picking away at small things to make her a more comfortable daily driver. Other updates include an XLT cloth bench with working lumbar, new door panel clips, brand new 31s and OEM Ford Alcoa wheels, a new clutch/pressure plate/master and slave, black "4X4" stickers (a necessity!) and a few replacement interior panels from the JY. In the future, I'd like to get the A/C working again, but other than that she's the perfect daily driver, around town, and general utility pickup.

The truck is a 300 inline 6, 5 spd M5OD trans, 4x4 with 3.55 rear LSD. The truck had 170,000 on the ticker when I pulled her out of the woods, and after 2 1/2 years she's sitting pretty at 180,000. Sure she's not fast and she's old but for how long she's sat around she's been extremely good to me. She's driven every day in stop and go traffic, to get me to college and makes trips up and down the interstate at 65-70 MPH without complaint. I couldn't ask for a better ride, and at the end of the day I know my buddy's proud that I completed the work we both dreamed of doing back in high school.


I took this today, when I got home from the gym. Don't ask about the dent - it was there when I got the truck and I have no clue where it came from!


Here's my new interior - much better than the XL bench! If you can believe it, I got this seat at the local Pick A Part for 30 dollars! It cleaned up very well and has NO tears or rips!

 

looks good keep up the good work

 

That's a sweet truck and a cool story! I'm sure your friend would be proud of what you've done and keeping it on the road in his memory. It's like a part of him is still with you. The truck I drive every day is a 79 F100 that my Dad bought new then gave it to me when I turned 15 instead of trading it in on his next truck.

 

Thank you Will!

I always love hearing stories like yours jade! I agree, the sentimental value of our trucks are enough to keep them around even though we now have much more comfortable, efficient rides. Thank you for sharing your story!

 

Wow, you never see a seat of that era like that here in AZ, for any price. Congrats! Job well done.

 

I was SHOCKED, to say the least, when I ran across it. It appeared as though the truck had just been parked in the junkyard. No one had gotten to the windows with rocks yet so the interior was still in half decent shape. I immediately yanked the seat out before anyone else could come after it!