Restoration Checklist
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Enid, OK
Restoration Checklist
What are the best modifications to do to a 1979 truck while I have the body off the frame and everything is accessible. I have read about F-350 brake booster, saginaw steering pump, rear disc brakes and motorcraft module with spacers underneath.
Any other suggestions to make the truck ride and drive better and stay leak proof.
I am planning on powdercoating the frame, bucket seats, electric windows and locks and custom dash with new guages.
I would hate to get it back together and forget something important.
1979 F150 Ranger XLT Supercab short wide bed 2WD 460 C6 3.73 gears.
Any other suggestions to make the truck ride and drive better and stay leak proof.
I am planning on powdercoating the frame, bucket seats, electric windows and locks and custom dash with new guages.
I would hate to get it back together and forget something important.
1979 F150 Ranger XLT Supercab short wide bed 2WD 460 C6 3.73 gears.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Ocala, Fl.
Sorry I cant help you ,but maybe answering your thread might get someone who knows what their talkin about to help.I'm new to restorations and am doing my 78 F250 4x4 and was also thinking of redoing the dash .I wanted to find out what kinda plans you had on yours and are you gonna be posting pictures as you are going through your projects?????
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
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From: Spokane WA
Nothing you mention will actually make the truck handle better, Some of them have some cool factor and a quiet steering pump is nice.
New kingpins, I-beam bushings, radius arm bushings, ragjoint, column bearings and coil springs will make it handle better.
New kingpins, I-beam bushings, radius arm bushings, ragjoint, column bearings and coil springs will make it handle better.
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From: Enid, OK
Dash mods
I have been thinking about putting an aluminum plate and get rid of the plastic with some Autometer gauges. I remember a Mercury my Dad had that had round A/C vents and was thinking about those also. Thanks for the reply.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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Dash Mods
Custom Dash...
Actually, custom gauge cluster....
I took my plastic gauge housing out...the black one on top with the A/C vent and the white one behind it that actually holds the gauges. I am saving the white one that houses the original gauges and I am going to store it.
On the black on, I cut the center posts between the 3 center gauge openings and I am going to fabricate a solid piece out of wood to put behind it. In this piece, I am going to cut holes for Autometer gauges which I already have. When it is done, I will paint it Ford Blue, the gauges being white-faced with chrome trim. I can post a photo of it here when I am done, but I have been wanting to do a Autometer gauge setup in this truck for years.
I would like to see what other people have done. Post photos of anything you have.
Actually, custom gauge cluster....
I took my plastic gauge housing out...the black one on top with the A/C vent and the white one behind it that actually holds the gauges. I am saving the white one that houses the original gauges and I am going to store it.
On the black on, I cut the center posts between the 3 center gauge openings and I am going to fabricate a solid piece out of wood to put behind it. In this piece, I am going to cut holes for Autometer gauges which I already have. When it is done, I will paint it Ford Blue, the gauges being white-faced with chrome trim. I can post a photo of it here when I am done, but I have been wanting to do a Autometer gauge setup in this truck for years.
I would like to see what other people have done. Post photos of anything you have.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
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From: Spokane WA
Originally Posted by Arnold Kenyon
I have been thinking about putting an aluminum plate and get rid of the plastic with some Autometer gauges.
definatly a good idea.
except for the speedo the ford gauges are really crap.
They are really nothing more than idiot lights with pictures.
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From: Enid, OK
kc5hwb
Check out mclaughin31 and EFI-79 galleries. They have done some cool stuff with their dashes.
Check out mclaughin31 and EFI-79 galleries. They have done some cool stuff with their dashes.
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From: Enid, OK
EFI-79 go to galleries at the top right and put in 1979 and F-350 it is on the second page 3rd from the top-a black supercab with flames. mclaughlin31 is on the 9th page of this forum under bodywork pics are up.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
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That EFI-79 is great. I love the gauge cluster he did, I wonder where he got that, or if he built it himself? There wasn't a link to his email or I would have asked him.
The mclaughlin31 truck is REALLY nice looking, but no photos of the dash....
The mclaughlin31 truck is REALLY nice looking, but no photos of the dash....
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Maine
Hey there,
I'll have a bunch of pics up middle of the week, dash is done and installed, only thing I now need is the speedo cable I'm going to have made for the set-up. Sorry most of my pics are a little behind. I do have a pic in my gallery of just the bare solid aluminum dash. Might not help ya much. Stay tuned
James
I'll have a bunch of pics up middle of the week, dash is done and installed, only thing I now need is the speedo cable I'm going to have made for the set-up. Sorry most of my pics are a little behind. I do have a pic in my gallery of just the bare solid aluminum dash. Might not help ya much. Stay tuned
James
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Northwest Iowa
I have a very very nice 77 shortbed 4x4 with factory gages. They work excellent. My 79 crewcab 4x4 shortbed, 460 and dana 60's, that is almost done ditto. Gages work fine. 79 Bronco 460, same thing.
Also have:
79 F-350 4x4 dana 60's work fine.
79 Supercab 4x4 long with dana 60's, work fine.
2 X 79 Supercab shortbed 2wd's, gages fine.
I do see why some folks want to change them for looks. But, me, I like the original style. Just my 2 cents.
In fact out of the 30 to 40 trucks I have dissasembled for my or my buddies needs, I dont remember one gage cluster that did not work correctly. (if the truck ran). Now the back lights, thats another story. But I have a whole herd of very good clusters so I wont have to worry about the crumblies some get.
Also have:
79 F-350 4x4 dana 60's work fine.
79 Supercab 4x4 long with dana 60's, work fine.
2 X 79 Supercab shortbed 2wd's, gages fine.
I do see why some folks want to change them for looks. But, me, I like the original style. Just my 2 cents.
In fact out of the 30 to 40 trucks I have dissasembled for my or my buddies needs, I dont remember one gage cluster that did not work correctly. (if the truck ran). Now the back lights, thats another story. But I have a whole herd of very good clusters so I wont have to worry about the crumblies some get.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Enid, OK
That is one hot looking truck, I like your attention to detail. I love the look of the dash with the gauges and the smooth look of the dash all the way across.
I was wondering if you got rid of all the seams on the inside of your cab too? I was looking at mine in the past and planned to fill in all the seams when I do my restoration. Did you weld the seams to fill them or what?
I noticed no booster behind the master cylinder, is that coming later or are you using the electric booster that just came out?
I was wondering if you got rid of all the seams on the inside of your cab too? I was looking at mine in the past and planned to fill in all the seams when I do my restoration. Did you weld the seams to fill them or what?
I noticed no booster behind the master cylinder, is that coming later or are you using the electric booster that just came out?