Hi F-250 Restorer,
I have a 75 also, how did you add the shoulder harness?
Thanks,
Jimmy

 

Hey Jimmy. Most of the seat belt co's offer a kit to add the harness. It's fairly easy to install. There is a plate that, once the headliner is removed, is slipped down behind the innner panel between the window and back of cab. I riveted the plate in place, then attached the harness stud to the plate--screw in. Just make sure you place plate high enough to take up slack in belts when not being used.


Install your plate about 2" higher and ideally an inch further to the rear than what you see in the photo above.

Here is the plate: https://www.seatbeltsplus.com/product/CA-53.html

The hardest part is securing a wire to the plate and fishing it down inside the panel. I dropped one and had to drill a hole in the bottom of the panel to retrieve it. Oops. It's a needed and great upgrade.

 

Thanks, F-250...!!!!
Appreciate

 

The only thing that you mention that I might differ a bit is the fan controller. I think the products that Autocoolguy sells look great and may last a long time. However, I use two 40 amp relays to run my dual system. If one of the relays fails, I pop in a $20 spare from the glove box or switch the wires and let one relay control both fans until I get home. That is not so easy with a $150 control unit. I may not get soft starts, but many cars used the same system I am using (volvo), and I've been using it for quite a few years w/o a problem. Just saying. The volvo relay pack costs $15 in the j/y'ds, and you get two relays.

And yes! love my Champion radiator. I was leery to get one because I had tried two Summit brand rads and each failed within two years. But the champion is going strong.

 

So far the seat ranks as my most liked change, then additional castor so it drives in a straight line and a thermostat that actually functions properly.
my truck has pretty much new everything, starter. Alternator, clutch, motor, intake, carb, exhaust, all bushings, prevoius owner did brakes So I havent had to do them.
it drives well is comfortable so I like to drive it. Didnt much care to drive it with the wore out original bench seat. That and with no castor I looked like a drunk driver. Lol

 

good looking seats! I'm in the same boat with the seat. I sat in truck with screwdriver in back pocket, and that rip has grown. This time around I think I'll replace the bottom foam from LMC, instead of trying to patch it again.

I've also been there with sloppy steering. When I first got the truck all I could do was aim the truck. Unlike you, I had to go through the entire system, tie rods, pump, lines, redhead box, and plate on the frame, along with king pins and a rebuild of the column.

 

i can vouch for LMC’s seat foam. Made in USA. Fits perfect. High quality. It is getting expensive with shipping but I am happy with the product quality.

 

I forgot one ... might do it though ... CB radio ... Jaw jacking, etc.

 

The steering has been gone through in passed on my truck it kinda drives like crap im assuming similar to how it drove when new.
Brand new the steering on our trucks is junk and ford only had 2deg of castor but back then the truck was for Farm ranch use where speeds ürobly rarely got up to 55.

Steering is nextish on my list though I may switch to 7deg castor bushings before steering.

Though not a small part my 300 6 has been a great upgrade the truck now fires up instantly even after sitting for a month. Makes good power and is fun to drive. Everyone Asus me uf its a 460 lol. No its just a mean little 300.

 

I’ve never needed the 130 amp alternator, or electric fans. I also sill use the factory duraspark 2 ignition. That stuff still works for what I want to do with my truck.

My buddies offroad rigs yeah our favtory alternators will have your battery dead miles away from pavement. My Pontiac project car gets electric fans and hei with newer even higher powered components than it was designed with.

1. Tires. I wasn’t around in 79 and don’t know to much about tires from then and nowadays you’d have to go out of your way to find “original” tires but new compounds and designs means our trucks ride better stop quicker turn harder and take off faster. While lasting longer.

2 .Overdrive transmission. Nuff said

3. Cup holders. Nuff said

4. Bedliners. Spray in being preferable to me my truck has had a very grippy very tough spray in liner the whole time I’ve had it and anytime I use a truck with a bare bed I miss it. From stuff sliding around all over the place, fluids tracking all over, the sound of metal banging around all the time. I love my liner.

5. Tint. I don’t know what our trucks could have come with factory but I bet it doesn’t beat modern tint from today. From keeping your interior cooler, the sun not destroying your dash or the tops of the seats, and people not being able to see in the truck tint makes a world of difference. My truck was noticeably not comfortable to drive during the summer just from how much darker it was in the cab.

6. tow hooks and straps. I know we have all done it but wrapping a strap or chain around a hitch ball is a great way to make the worlds most powerful stone and sling. Wrapping straps/chains around axles/bumpers/ frames sucks too for many reasons. Have two attachment points on each end of the truck.

7. Hand held lights. Again I wasn’t around in 79 but I think some tech we have today that didn’t work nearly as well then is the handheld flashlight. I have probably 4 small lights in the truck. Great for anything at all after the sun goes down. And needed for any nighttime or low light repairs.

8. Trackers. Many companies make many designs of either industrial grade equipment trackers to small key chain Bluetooth/WiFi tiles. You can get trackers to alert you of their movement, or that keep updates of their locations and interactions with Bluetooth and WiFi networks to be able to track their past movements and current whereabouts. Equipment is stolen and recovered constantly nowadays with trackers. An alarm a big dog a nosy neighbor can only prevent theft, a tracker can lead you and the law right to a den of snakes. (And hopefully after you get your truck back they flamethrower the place like a den of snakes gets with any thieves still inside.)

9. Dash cam. Everyone’s a liar nowadays


might think of number 10 later

 

My 78 with original front suspension drives great, 2 wd power steering over 250K miles. Keeping it greased goes a long way. I do hate to admit the ps box is leaking a little from the bottom. My trucks only front end alignment was done at Ford when it was produced. Maybe I'm just lucky sometimes or maybe it's the St Christopher medallion key ring that's been hanging on the shifter since 78.

 

Upgrades:

1. Radial tires / non-split rims
2. Electronic Ignition
3. Largest battery you can fit
4. High Torque mini starter
5. Solid state voltage regulator
6.Front disc brakes
7. Intermittent wipers
8. Clutch fan
9. Saginaw P/S pump
10. Sanden A/C compressor
Honorable Mention: Modern synthetic oils and greases.

 

**Hey Evan. If the truck drives poorly then something was either not done (rebuilt/replaced), or it was done wrong. Is the steering box a redhead? Were the kingpins replaced? Something was missed or skipped somewhere.
I have rebuilt my entire steering system, from column to kingpins, and at 80mph I am able to relax with max control. Lay under the truck and have someone move the steering wheel and you'll see/find the loose link. Good luck.

 

This applies to the F150 4x4s of the 70s vintage with Dana 44. The stock foam pads that they call C bushings are a complete joke. Swapping those out with urethane bushings makes a HUGE difference in handling. When I did the swap...I was blown away how much better it drove. It was like a whole new truck.

 

Above all mods, prerequisites to any mods, you have the big 3: Engine, brakes, steering.
To anyone reading this thread, you should consider engine, brakes and steering the #1 priorities. Those three should be in tip-top condition, whether kept oem or with mods, working in a manner that makes passengers and driver feel safe and satisfied, before doing unessential mods.
Once those 3 are functioning w/o issue, safely and well, then move on to your list of mods. IMO.