Hello Nebraska Chapter,
It's been a number of years since I updated but this last winter I started work in earnest on the F250. I took a break from the forum because I needed to get out there and get some stuff done. The 72 now (on a cleaned up frame) has rebuilt front and rear differentials, rebuilt driveshafts, and rebuilt dana 24. I lugged all this stuff around in my honda back and forth over the last few months from Lincoln Clutch and Brake using a skid loader and chains to unload. It's like building a workbench without a workbench? I fine tuned knuckle preload shims and did the transfer case myself but left it to the professionals to get the shims/bearings set right for the differentials, plus the front ring and pinion had gotten chewed up pretty badly so a new gear set there. As you all know, one thing turned into another! New bushings in leaf springs led to new leaf springs all around which led to welding on/ repairing perches, etc. I now know why new trucks cost alot!
I'm to the point where the wheels are powdercoated/tires installed, new front and rear drums and brakelines, hardware, rebuilt master cylinder, power steering installed and almost ready to start it up. The engine had been rebuilt in the not too distant past and according to me (ahem) the engine ran pretty well, just needs some timing adjustment and carb adjustment and cleaning. I have the bed underside sand blasted and in progress. I'm adding subtle drainholes to the bed floor corners to allow for drainage. I just finished coating the inside of the fuel tank.
I rebuilt the steering column, adding an aluminum mounted bearing to the bottom of the column, got the 78/79 power steering installed on the frame with core support and radiator notched to allow for final fitment and straightness. It's been a challenge to be careful and to be doing ongoing touchups, but I'm leaving the original paint for the patina look (which I like) and I'm frugal and want a truck that I will feel ok driving on a regular basis, but is 'rust-proofed' as much as possible from the inside out. Doing the stock options, stock height and wheel sizes, nothing too fancy or flashy on the whole thing. I scraped and blasted out the drip rails then used etching then master coat then seam sealer then touch up paint. I had some touch up paint 'hand matched' from a company in california that I haven't tried yet-- we'll see how well that works! The body is off a 72 CS from Idaho, the 4x4 from Broken Bow as a farm truck. Two floorpans and 2 cabmounts later with the undersides all blasted and painted up, I have it all to what will hopefully be the last few months of work. Last winter I rebuilt the doors and factory AC. Just today I brought back to Lincoln 2 dented up bumpers to use the metal out of to fabricate the f100 bucket seat (mustang) brackets out of. Why go spend a bunch of money on new metal (but I'll have to cut it out and bang it flat!), I will get a lot of enjoyment out of fabricating $300 brackets myself for next to nothing (not regarding time involved!).

The windshield snapped during attempted installation this morning by two workers and I was super bummed. The chrome trim had been installed on the Dennis Carpenter rubber gasket and they were going at it using the cord method to install the gasket. After today, I'm at wits end on finding a replacement windshield. I went back out to the farm and the parts truck windshield had a bb divot in it. The two guys seemed to be going at it carefully and I believe it was just an accident. I realize auto glass places nowadays do just glueups and gasketed windshields are a specialty from the past that noone is going to want to do. I talked with Nebraska auto glass and he said the workers must have been desperate to take on installing the windshield. I'm really hesitant to buy a $200 windshield from LMC and pay the $150 shipping or drive to KC and then possibly have that one break, so I almost have to go used!

Questions are: Anyone know of a 67-72 windshield in good shape, or, where do you guys get your glass? (Edit) Is it correct that 67-79 windshields are interchangeable? Anyone have any leads on anyone in the Lincoln (or Omaha if they're willing) area to install a windshield on a 72 Ford Pickup?

It's good to see you guys moving on with your projects and I'll get some pictures up soon.

Thanks,
Sam Packard

 

Hey Sam, welcome back! Nice to see progress ( although pictures would be nice!). Not sure about the windshields from the dents fitting the bumpsides. Have you called around to any of the local places, or here in Omaha?

And, I'm assuming you had that steering box reversed? I am putting one on my 67, had to send it down to a place in Arizona, to have them reverse it. Otherwise, it'll turn right when the wheel goes left!