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Just joined this forum. If this forum is like the other forums I am on, I'm looking forward to learning from the wealth of wisdom out there from you all.
I'm not new to restoring cars as I have done multiple classic mustangs (65 Coupe, 66 Conv, 67 Conv, two 68 Coupes and a 69 Conv), a 70 challenger, a 69 Austin Healy Sprite and I'm currently in the process of a 75 Corvette, but I am new to classic trucks.
This past Saturday I picked up a 1955 F100. No engine or transmission which is okay since I was going to go modern on the driveline. The cab is surprisingly solid. The hood, front / rear fenders and doors are in good shape metal-wise, just a couple dings and dents to work on. The bed is shot and in need total replacement. Not sure about the frame yet, I haven't gotten it on the lift yet.
Plans are to do a total restoration on it after I finish up a couple current projects. No rush, I just wanted a 54-56 F100 for a while now so when this one came along I grabbed it.
Newbie question on the truck box. I see the 4 mounting bolts inside the box, attaching the box to the frame but I'm not used to seeing bolts with square drive heads on them. What size square drive is required for these bolts? Is it 5/16"? I know my 3/8" socket extension was too large for it, but the 1/4" socket extension was too small.
Power plant wise, I'm think anywhere from a 289/302/351 all the way to a coyote 5.0 crate engine...... no decisions made yet in any direction.
Suspension will most likely be a mustang II IFS system with disc brakes and then a 4-link suspension system in the back with disc brakes. The PO already has a Ford 9" rear end in it so it's a good start.
Welcome to the forum! There was another recent discussion on the bed bolts. Someone mentioned using a 5/16 pipe plug socket. That would work but you'd have to find one. I still prefer taking a surplus 4" 3/8 drive extension and grinding down the end a bit to fit. Most of us tool junkies have at least a half a dozen of them laying around and could stand to sacrifice one for the cause.
Bed kits for these trucks are inexpensive for the value provided, and readily available from about every vendor. For a couple grand, half your truck's bodywork is done. They come with sides, front panel, crossmembers, tailgate, bedwood and skid strips, in various finishes, depending on what you want. It's the only way to go, imho.
Welcome to the forum! There was another recent discussion on the bed bolts. Someone mentioned using a 5/16 pipe plug socket. That would work but you'd have to find one. I still prefer taking a surplus 4" 3/8 drive extension and grinding down the end a bit to fit. Most of us tool junkies have at least a half a dozen of them laying around and could stand to sacrifice one for the cause.
Bed kits for these trucks are inexpensive for the value provided, and readily available from about every vendor. For a couple grand, half your truck's bodywork is done. They come with sides, front panel, crossmembers, tailgate, bedwood and skid strips, in various finishes, depending on what you want. It's the only way to go, imho.
Agree, I've been looking at the bed kits and for what you get, the cost is not bad. Thanks for the advice on the box bolt. I think I have 1/2 dozen or so of those 4" 3/8 extensions where I could sacrifice one.
Since I do a lot of differential service / work on our mustangs and 70 challenger and they all have square drive pipe plugs, I found a nice set of pipe plug square head sockets on Amazon, they will be here tomorrow.
