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Thanks. I've been working on this truck for years now, no idea how many hours but it's a crazy amount I'm sure. Not that it will be done but hoping to have the body all painted and back together and it running and at least moveable under it's own power this summer.
Keep at it, it will be as awesome as you imagine! Very nice project!
Finally got it running and moving under it's own power. Feels good to be able to start it up and back it out of the garage even if I can't really drive it yet. I'm going to move back to painting so I can get the doors mounted next.
Lots of progress over the last few months but not many pictures. I'll need to take some pictures at some point but doors are back on, front clip except for the hood is on. Wood side boards on the bed. I did the inside of the bed a few months ago, sprayed on Durabak. Color matches well and went on fairly easy.
Wow, great efforts deserve honest compliments, so, congrats on your execution and following your vision with your 4WD conversion and modern upgrades!
I love that you are sourcing original (Factory Ford) existing components and creating your truck as you want it which takes skill, patience, and a desire to hunt down the parts and information to make it all work.
Please keep your photos of all sorts coming for all of us to study and appreciate.
I wish you the best of luck as you are rounding 3rd base toward the home plate (the end) -- Pete
The dash is stunning, and the stance looks good. Are you at a factory ride height?
Front springs are new Moog, the heaviest available for a F150 in ‘78, so given the lighter weight 302 probably a little bit higher than it would have been. The rear are the original ‘66 Camper Special springs with the factory F150 4x4 blocks. Suspension is easy to change but I needed to start somewhere. So far it’s looking pretty good though so we’ll see how it is once it’s on the road.
Just looked through your pics. Seems we're a lot a like as are our builds. Did all my own work as well expect for paint. I started to paint it but after body work and priming the cab, I realized that I was a mechanic and not a painter. Mine's on a 78 F150 4x4 chassis as well. Looks like you're mostly done but if you have any questions please let me know. I had several "learnings" during the way. I've got some pics in my album on this site but took a lot more that I can reference if you need anything.
Just looked through your pics. Seems we're a lot a like as are our builds. Did all my own work as well expect for paint. I started to paint it but after body work and priming the cab, I realized that I was a mechanic and not a painter. Mine's on a 78 F150 4x4 chassis as well. Looks like you're mostly done but if you have any questions please let me know. I had several "learnings" during the way. I've got some pics in my album on this site but took a lot more that I can reference if you need anything.
Your truck looks good. My frame is the 66 with the F150 4x4 front crossmember welded in to add the 4x4 axle. I’ve seen others that just mounted the slick body on the newer frame but the wheelbase is wrong, the frame flares out behind the cab, and the hump over the rear axles needs a body lift or alteration to fit the bed. All things that can be remedied but I had a rust free 66 frame and the 78 parts truck was rusted pretty bad. I also like the narrow rear of the 66, pretty sure I can run 8” wheels and the tires will still fit up into the rear fenders.
Yep. You're correct on all points. Ended up building the bed from scratch for the reasons you listed. This kept me from having to lift the truck. I was wanting to keep at stock height. It's a little raked in the front cuz I'm still running the old 78 leafs in back. Wasn't sure how much the bed would weigh when complete. Will probably replace with lightest new leafs. Has a 38 gallon tank behind axle so squats a little more when full. Keep the pic coming.!
53deere,
Nice work on your shortbed conversion mods.
The '78 front axle assembly and suspension will be wonderful. Amazing the hours it takes to make something so nice and orderly.
So, i guess the '66 2wd frame rails are similar to the '78 up front. If the crossmember is similar.
A few more pictures. I just need to paint the letters on the tailgate before I can put it on but that will be the last of the body. Going to try rolling the paint on for the letters I think.
I think I'm going to go with plain steel wheels, 8" wide, and probably hub caps at least on the back. I'm looking for two wheels, Kelsey Hayes # 89943, they have the same center as the 5.5" wide wheels but are 8" wide. If anyone has some they'd like to part with let me know.
05-27-2021, 03:26 PM
