For anyone keeping track, my truck is almost done. I started with a 2WD stock 86 F-150 complete with stock hub caps... boring.

This is a California truck without a spec of rust but I knew I was going to end up somewhere else soon where things rust and besides I wanted to put my signature on it.

I converted it to 4x4, put on a Rancho lift kit, put on some wheels and tires, converted the exhaust to a header setup, 3" pipes and Magnaflow exhaust. I then started the rust proofing and paint project.

I lifted the bed off, put the truck on jack stands and stripped it bare and shot Rust Bullet under the whole truck, behind the bumpers, inside the fenders, inside the cab and then over the entire outside of the truck. I don't think there is any spot we missed. This whole truck is encased in rust bullet. We finally finished then shot the filler primer on top of it and sanded smooth.

Finally, it got hit with 5 coats of base coat and then the clear coat, all urethane.

Gallery shows the starting point, the axle conversion to 4x4, the stripped truyck ready for paint and where we are now with the paint on but still needing to be buffed and polished.

I hope to be done polishing by this weekend then spend the weekend putting the door handles, mirrors and trim on it. I also have to put the dynamat in, the new carpet in and then put in the rear seat lift and seats in.

For anyone that remembers, I did decide to pay the money and bought the new cargo light assembly from Dennis Carpenter and it is nice (but expensive considering I only really needed a new gasket). The lens is nice and clear vs my old hazy white one.

Anyway, I just thought I would let you all know the pictures I have been promising are finally up and I am almost done........ with this phase of the project. 9 Months of work finally coming to an end. Next I get to have some fun with some bolt on stuff like nerf bars, brush guard etc.

Note - This paint looks lighter than it really is in the picture. It changes color depending on how the light hits it and goes from this light color, to a dark blue to an almost purplish deep deep royal blue. It was purely accidental as the color was too light and while trying to darken it, we added additional blue then red to get it to go dark and basically accidentally made a rainbow paint. It looks absolutely AWESOME at night.

Good Luck,

Lee

 

Your truck looks awesome. It's one of the better looking extended cabs I have seen. What size of lift and tires do you have? Can't wait to see it done. Keep up the good work.

hotrod48

 

Very nice work! I too, look forward to seeing it all complete. Excellent job.

Have you considered doing a write-up about teh conversion? It seems to be one of the most commonly asked questions in this section of the forum.

 

Thank you.


I wrote up the conversion a couple times on different threads here. Here is one of them about 11 posts down from the top.......
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=402147

I used the 4" Rancho lift and am currently running 33" Goodrich ATs. They didn't have them in stock and there isn't much mud here so I didn't think I needed the 12.5 widths and couldn't look at anything so I screwed up and got the 9.5 instead of the 10.5, they are waaay too thin. Next time I will get the 10.5 though I am considering getting 35" depending on where I move to and how deep the ruts are where I hunt.

I still need to regear it since I have 3.55s right now and they grunt too much under load. I still haven't decided if I will just go 4.11 or if I will go up closer to 4.5-4.7ish. I don't want lockers but will likely go with a limited slip, I just haven't decided if I will put it in the back, the front or both. I'll cross that bridge later. I really don't feel like spending the time putting it in, checking clearances, taking it out, reshimming and putting it in, checking clearances, taking it out, reshimming and putting it in, ............ and the local shop wants $650 PER AXLE to do the work. No way!!

Good Luck,

Lee

 

Well done, Lee. It looks really nice. I love the blue, too.

 

Looks like you ruined a perfectly good truck. Just kidding, looks great, can't wait to see some finished pics. 4:10's with 33" tires is a good combo, if you do get 35's then 4:56 gears would be better.