Starting a 3 year project
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Eastern shore md
Starting a 3 year project
Got a 75 4wd 390 4spd short bed for 3200. Been looking for 1 for 5 years. Have been wrenching on Ford's for 40 years. I want to take this to the ground and bring her "Vickie" back to proper condition. I've never done a frame off. Just looking for any tips. Also got a 79 250 4wd parts truck
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,876
Likes: 2,364
Sounds like a worthy endeavor . your timeline is realistic as well.
Here is what I've come up with after many restorations. these Fords are actually some of the easiest I've ever done.
Tear everything off the vehicle and store it away.
Strip it to bare metal and see exactly what you have .
Fix any major damage and rust if you have it and rehang all the metal and set your gaps.
get it off to the painter because that's normally a year at a minimum. if you're going to paint it yourself hopefully you know what you're doing .
Rebuild everything that needs rebuilt .
when you get it back you're ready to assemble it.
One useful bit of advice is buy every part you can find as finances allow. reproduction parts can go out of stock for months if not years and NOS or good used parts can be plentiful until you need them. never assume you'll just get something once you're ready for it. ask me how I know.
Here is what I've come up with after many restorations. these Fords are actually some of the easiest I've ever done.
Tear everything off the vehicle and store it away.
Strip it to bare metal and see exactly what you have .
Fix any major damage and rust if you have it and rehang all the metal and set your gaps.
get it off to the painter because that's normally a year at a minimum. if you're going to paint it yourself hopefully you know what you're doing .
Rebuild everything that needs rebuilt .
when you get it back you're ready to assemble it.
One useful bit of advice is buy every part you can find as finances allow. reproduction parts can go out of stock for months if not years and NOS or good used parts can be plentiful until you need them. never assume you'll just get something once you're ready for it. ask me how I know.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 319
From: Mississippi
Take LOTS of reference pictures.
And start a build thread here. It's fun to look back and see your progress.
If you aren't sure about how something goes back together, ask questions here. Folks are glad to help!
You can gain knowledge AND lend knowledge to others.
Good luck with your project!
(Let's see some pictures!!!!!)
And start a build thread here. It's fun to look back and see your progress.
If you aren't sure about how something goes back together, ask questions here. Folks are glad to help!
You can gain knowledge AND lend knowledge to others.
Good luck with your project!
(Let's see some pictures!!!!!)
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 321
From: SW PA
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,876
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You never know what's under the paint until you strip it but it certainly looks like a solid rig.
Are you planning to restore it per the Marti report, resto mod it or restore it to original with added factory option upgrades ?
Are you planning to restore it per the Marti report, resto mod it or restore it to original with added factory option upgrades ?
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Eastern shore md
thanks. I'm not a number matching kind of guy. I will keep her stock looking, but I'll put my flair to her. Got the front clip off today
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Eastern shore md
Got a 75 4wd 390 4spd short bed for 3200. Been looking for 1 for 5 years. Have been wrenching on Ford's for 40 years. I want to take this to the ground and bring her "Vickie" back to proper condition. I've never done a frame off. Just looking for any tips. Also got a 79 250 4wd parts truck
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,876
Likes: 2,364
Numbers matching at this point in time really doesn't mean much on these vehicles and I question if it ever will. but I think nice original or mostly original examples will always hold their value best. by that I don't mean bone stock , just not cut up and kidderized or morgafied. that said these rigs are still plentiful enough and cheap enough you really can justify whatever you like and that's kind of nice.
A little more factory trim and maybe a chrome roll bar is what I'd do with your pickup. it'll be interesting what your choices are, keep us posted.
When we get some nice sunny weather I'll post some pictures of the blue base/clear I chose to paint my midnight blue '76. it really pops in the sun but it's not that far off the original color. I agonized over 25 different blues for over a year before pulling the trigger on it and I'm happy with the choice. assuming you're wanting to stay with your current color you might like it for your project.
A little more factory trim and maybe a chrome roll bar is what I'd do with your pickup. it'll be interesting what your choices are, keep us posted.
When we get some nice sunny weather I'll post some pictures of the blue base/clear I chose to paint my midnight blue '76. it really pops in the sun but it's not that far off the original color. I agonized over 25 different blues for over a year before pulling the trigger on it and I'm happy with the choice. assuming you're wanting to stay with your current color you might like it for your project.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
Nice rig! I see you've worked on the roof, was there rust because of the visor?
I really like the chrome wagon wheels with the 1980s chrome Ford center caps. I've wondered about putting those caps on a set of the 1970s slotted wheels.
Is that '70-'71 Torino in the background a GT or a Cobra? (Can't tell if it's the standard 2 door or the GT quarter panels.)
I really like the chrome wagon wheels with the 1980s chrome Ford center caps. I've wondered about putting those caps on a set of the 1970s slotted wheels.
Is that '70-'71 Torino in the background a GT or a Cobra? (Can't tell if it's the standard 2 door or the GT quarter panels.)
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Eastern shore md
Not rust,PO decided on a moon roof,not for me Jack. He also had a American themed vinal on the hood ,that stripped the paint clean off. The Torino is a 70 GT. Born a small block auto, 512 4 spd now
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
Awesome! My Grandma had a Torino of that vintage, but it was a four door in the Light Jade, (really light mint green seen on a lot of early Dentsides) and probably a six cylinder.
Moon roof is a wart on Mona Lisa's face, or scalp as it were, and I'm not a fan of the look of those visors either.
Clean beautiful Dentside/Bumpside styling doesn't need any enhancements.
Moon roof is a wart on Mona Lisa's face, or scalp as it were, and I'm not a fan of the look of those visors either.
Clean beautiful Dentside/Bumpside styling doesn't need any enhancements.