Pics of truck in current state

Pics of truck in current state

The day it got a bath after 4.5 years of sitting. Ran later that day.

This is the bronco I am trying to use this truck to replace

As you can see, it was the wheeler, camper, fisher, hunter, rig. Saved wear and tear on my 2012 Superduty.

I really liked this truck, I want my F250 to sit like this.

I would like a bed organizer like this, with side boxes... a tool body would not be ideal, as they are not common in short beds... but I could get a nice 6.5 short bed and bolt on tractor supply boxes? maybe find a way for the drawers? Some roll over protection would be nice too. The bronco had a bar under the back of the cab.

 

Dragging this one out of the weeds and putting it back to work.

Bronco is dead and gone so now its time to build another hunting, camping, fishing, wheeling son of a bullnose Ford.

I am contemplating shortening this truck from 8 foot bed to 6 foot bed to make it easier to navigate the woods. I rarely get that tight... as I don't care for making sweet sweet body love to trees. But I think it would help a lot. I have never shortened a frame... but I am going to learn I guess.

This truck is a 1986 Ford F250 Ext Cab Long Bed 4x4 XLT Lariat. The 460 had a fresh bottom end when parked. I got it running again and the C6 shifts great. NP208 should be fine. Has 4.10 gears factory! I don't know what my bronco had but it was not where near this low. This truck pulls great!!! Way more power.

Work will commence in July. This gives me time to scavenge parts.

I am not sure what I am doing up front yet, I know my bronco had a 6 inch lift and 37" Military tires. Only needed the winch 1 time in the years I owned it. I would like to stay around that height this time. What I am struggling with is keeping the D50 or doing an axle swap. My D44TTB's held up fine but they had coil springs and longer arms to help them with travel. Can someone enlighten me on the D50TTB? I need to hear personal experience. I am a fan of TTB, I have never had any trouble with any of my D44's. But this D50TTB does not look like it will perform well out in the rocks, logs, and holes. Mind you... I don't drive fast off the asphalt but I am still not convinced that the D50 will do very well because of the leaf springs...

In the rear I just want to use a shackle flip, from what I get out of my searches that's good for enough to run the 37s.

I have attached pictures of the truck as is (before and after washing the algae off), and the bronco I miss so bad. The Ext Cab back seat folds down into a great area for gear and its all in reach. In the bronco it was all behind the back seat and I have to get out, roll down the window, open the tail gate... you get the picture.

I am starting on body work next week, paint is needed soon to stop what little rust there is. The rain rails are my primary concern.

I am looking for all direction and manner of motivation and guidance. Who has a flat bed or custom bed? Who has built them and has advice for me?

Should I shorten this frame? I think so... but if you have not and think I can get away leaving it long... let me know! I really hate to torch any frame...

 

I'd consider taking that " Wanted " bed organizer picture to a Metal Fabrication Shop
your going to have it for some time and you like having the Tools Do The Work

Keep us posted !

 

I've been kicking that around. It looks like there are some prefabricated options like the pack rat that I can start with and then build off of I have plenty of tools... just never built anything quite like this LOL

 

Everything starts with a Dream

You'd be surprised how many places have scrap piles from other jobs just sitting, it might take a few drafts to get to your perfect set up
but in the end you'll have exactly what you need as well as what you want