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Just joined and never been part of a forum but I figured it would be good to share my build and see what ideas, options, and resources are out there.
This was my grandfathers work truck that he bought in AZ where it lived its whole life. Not a spec of rust. With his blessing, he told me to have at it and “get crazy” with building it. I’m sure many will hate the way I’m going with it and I’m fine with the
Currently the truck is completely stripped and disassembled. Frame is sand blasted and most “major” parts are sourced. Here is a list of what I have and doing.
7.3L Godzilla w/ Texas Speed Cam
10R80 (2wd)
Crown Victoria front suspension/subframe
Mustang S550 rear suspension/subframe
Mustang S550 electric power steering rack
Viking Adjustable Coilovers all the way around
My goal is to leave the exterior body original to the look, but have a very modern powertrain and ride quality. Basically a farm truck in the parking lot and then a beast on the street.
Open for input and ideas. Happy to join a forum with Ford Truck enthusiasts!!!
Don’t think you’ll find too many haters here Jonathon. Ar least you should not!
Lots of us looking forward to seeing more Godzilla swaps. Either looking for experience towards their own, or living vicariously through yours!
Sure, there is always an element of regret in changing an otherwise pristine original. But it’s also nice to see one get a new lease on life.
Good luck. And have fun!
Hope your grandfather gets a big kick out of it too.
Welcome to FTE!! Kudos to you for keeping another one on the road!! Your truck, do with it as you want, and yes, the godzilla looks to be a great swap!
Sorry, but I already sold the entire powertrain from the 9” in the rear all the way to the A/C condenser as a complete drop out.
I have some misc parts still but really nothing that I know worth of value.
Progress made: Mounted CV subframe in with new arms and Viking coilovers. Also set in the Godzilla and 10R80 using the Outcast AutoWorks mounts to check overall clearances. Engine alignment still needs to be adjusted as it is as far forward as the adjustable mounts allow. There is surprisingly much more room than I expected. The EPAS also fits nicely underneath with ATP’s bracket. I know there is plenty (a ***** ton) more to add, but seeing the bulk of the parts is pretty exciting
I Coyote swapped a long box 79 F150 4x4 and it was an amazing experience and an amazing truck. It too was an Az truck, Gilbert, 1 silver dollar sized spot of rust on the passenger door. Just bought a 79 shortbox F150 4x4 from Queen creek last Friday. Absolutely zero rust and 80K original. Like your undertaking. Subscribed.
I've noticed in my own truck ('76 RWD LWB) which has the stock engine block, motor mounts and related power train components that the centerline of my engine is 1.5" different from the centerline of the frame. This is verified in the Body Builder Book for our trucks. Thus, the CL of the engine is right of center towards the passenger side. Apparently this was done to make room for the steering box mounted on the driver side of the frame, a metric that you don't need to be governed by due to the use of the CV rack & pinion steering. You could center your engine in the frame.
So the question is whether your engine is centered in the frame or not. If not, why not and, if so, what are the consequences that others following in your foot steps should be aware of? Outcast AutoWorks may have made that decision for you so perhaps the questions should be redirected to them.
So the question is whether your engine is centered in the frame or not. If not, why not and, if so, what are the consequences that others following in your foot steps should be aware of? Outcast AutoWorks may have made that decision for you so perhaps the questions should be redirected to them.
I had just set the powertrain in to see what it looked like and get the weight to set a ride height to install the rear suspension. Definitely not the angle or position it will stay at.
However after reading this I went out and looked, and the engine is set to the right side by what looks like 1-2”. There is plenty of adjustment in the Outcast mounts so I’m sure this could be corrected. I will give it a try this weekend and get back to you on that. My OCD will not allow me to have it off centered. Haha.
The trans tunnel in the cab is also off center, so this is an interesting topic. Jonathon are you going to keep the stock AC? Dimensionally the 7.3 might leave you enough room to do so especially if you are able to push the assy toward the drivers side that 1.5 inches. Also Jonthon if you can, you might add "Godzilla" to the title of your thread so others that are looking for Godzilla and search "Topics only" will have this thread populate their search.
The trans tunnel in the cab is also off center, so this is an interesting topic. Jonathon are you going to keep the stock AC? Dimensionally the 7.3 might leave you enough room to do so especially if you are able to push the assy toward the drivers side that 1.5 inches. Also Jonthon if you can, you might add "Godzilla" to the title of your thread so others that are looking for Godzilla and search "Topics only" will have this thread populate their search.
The ‘79 factory A/C evaporator and heater core box was sold with the powertrain. I agree with you that there would’ve been plenty of room though. I plan on running a Vintage Air or similar set up. If you mean by keeping the stock A/C location on the Godzilla, the compressor is located on the lower right hand side and there is plenty of room even with the engine offset and the electric power steering rack installed.
Thank you for the advice, I will figure out how to do that.
No, I was actually referring to the firewall mounted assembly. I too did away with the Factory AC box as well as there was no chance it would fit with the Coyote. On a side note and some FYI, just in case your looking to use the stock Godzilla AC compressor, the aftermarket AC offerings will not work with it as they are variable displacement AC compressors. At least that was how it was 6 months ago.
I had just set the powertrain in to see what it looked like and get the weight to set a ride height to install the rear suspension. Definitely not the angle or position it will stay at.
However after reading this I went out and looked, and the engine is set to the right side by what looks like 1-2”. There is plenty of adjustment in the Outcast mounts so I’m sure this could be corrected. I will give it a try this weekend and get back to you on that. My OCD will not allow me to have it off centered. Haha.
It would make sense for Outcast to allow adjustment for those who have to work around a steering box mounted on the driver side frame rail. They may have even considered right hand drive as a possible option. However, there may be another issue to consider further back in the drive line. I know that the 9" rear axle in my truck is offset too so centering the engine and transmission might possibly bring up unusual pinion angle issues. Although calculating the proper pinion angle in the vertical plane is well understood that usually assumes 0º in the horizontal plane. Would a non-zero horizontal value be a problem that possibly requires shortening one side of the axle to correct? Leaving that offset in place might be the path of least resistance.
