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Background: I bought this truck in 1991 and it was my daily driver for 12 years. Had a 300 with Clifford intake and headers, and a 4 speed. My original thought was drive the 300 until it died then put a V-8 in it. I put a 150k miles on the 300 (225k total) and couldn’t kill it.
Bought a new truck and this went in the garage in 2003 and hadn’t been driven or started since 2006, but it did serve as storage for my quad. First day out in the sun in 13 years. Gravity feed some new gas and it started up with a little starting fluid.
My daughter just turned 16 and we started talking about getting her a car. I was going to give her my 09 Dodge Ram and then get a new truck. Seemed like a win/win. I was surprised when she told me she would rather have the “old” truck in the garage. I knew she wouldn’t enjoy driving it with the 300/4 speed.
So it was time to upgrade. I decided to go with a fuel injected 351w and a e4od. Picked up a 92 donor truck with everything I needed, including brand new tires, a fresh rebuild on the transmission and 150k miles on the engine.
The project: my best friends brother-in-law (big time ford truck guy) agreed to take on the project and let me help out. I bought the donor truck in February, and he took the engine, transmission, TC, gas tanks, bumper and tires and sold off the remaining body.
Going to do all new suspension, steering (blue top box), brakes, rebuild the front and rear end (go from 350 to 410 gears) convert the speed density to MAF, auto steering column, headers and then drop in the 351 and e4od. I’m going to put off paint and rebuilding the 351 for a couple years. When I do rebuild I’m thinking of stroking it to a 393.
I didnt get any any pictures of the progress of the tear down and how filthy it is. It leaked power steering fluid BAD and everying in the engine compartment and underneath was caked in 1/2 inch of crap. Here is how she is as of yesterday with the engine, tranny/tc and front end removed.
Got the front end back from the shop and time for the install.
Some before pictures. This was “clean” after three weeks of degreaser and power washing.
Took a wire wheel to all the loose parts and the frame and painted it black. Went with the wild horses 2 1/2 inch lift for an early bronco, which should give me an inch over stock height. Rancho shocks for the quad set-up, and a blue top steering box.
Up next will be cleaning up the rear end and getting it installed.
What a great build you got on you hands! I am happy to read that your kid was interested on the old Ford instead of a new car. Looks like you are headed towards a sweet finished product.
Got the front are rear axles replaced with new bearings, brakes, and brake lines. Installed all new body bushings (what a pain that is) got the rear end cleaned and painted. Removed the gas tank to prep it for a return line and removed the old bumper. Still have a lot of cleaning on the frame and inside the wheel wells. But at least it’s back on tires.
Thanks for all the comments and feedback. I’m starting to have second thoughts if my daughter is going to get this. New rotors and brakes Rear drum Rear before paint Gas tank and bumper removed New body bushing.
Repainted the grill inserts. Used metallic aluminum and black. Pretty happy with the way they turned out.
Also tried to repair some cracks and holes in the front splash guards. I tried to plastic weld them. It kinda of worked but doesn’t look that great. I really need some new ones, but can’t get past the $300 price tag.
Also, sprayed them with plastic-dip to get them looking new. That turned out good. Not sure how long it will last.
Plasti-dip comes in a can like spray paint. I used it to cover some rims and it was very durable. It lasted over two years then I sold them and they still looked good. It was worth a try, I figured the new splash shields will look bad in a short time.
05-05-2019, 10:10 AM
