This is my first project and was introduced to ford-trucks.Looking for suggestions and help to build a fine 72 Sportscustom.Not very good at computor but can get by.

 

SportCustomWalt, Welcome to FTE and the 67-72 forum.

My first recommendation is do nothing, but drive the truck for the first 6 months or so. Your mind will change many times during that time, but at the end you could have a beter idea of the direction to go in.

John

 

I think that's a great idea. Exactly what happend with me and my f100. Just drive it for a while

 

Thanks John,
The only problem i have is the truck doesn't have a motor,tranny.I've built a 302 with a C-6 to install. I just got the truck a few months ago.It was sitting in a barn in Lake City.It's got a solid body and the doors close tight. I just ordered all new glass (tinted) reg,panels and arm rests,anti rattle kit and window seals,vent seals,floor panels,sills,locks and door handles speedo cable. I've just taken the bed off (swb) and i'm on the cab now. I was looking at some other sites that show how i can put a different front end on. i've always like the swb Sports Custom truck.All the crome is good and body is good.The floor has rust and the bed has some old galvinize roofing.There isn't any dents or holes on the outside. I figure i got a deal for 500.00. I've built cars up but haven't restored or taken it down to square one and back to gether.I just got to have a little patients and see the results. I've just retired so i got the time but got to take it easy putting alot of money in it.I got buddies that i can get some parts from like disc brake setup and plus i've got tools,welder,torches to make some things.Plus i can get info from you all and the sites.I've seen some of the others trucks and pictures.Thats what i like is to see results with my own hands.I know that there are others out there that feel the same way.

 

Hi John, if you have buddies and tools, welder, torches plus a good plan with some cash you are well on your way. Any problems that come up can be answered here by looking thru the past posts. Good luck, don`t hesitate to ask away and keep us up on your progress.

 

Oh the important things that we leave out of our posts.

You can't put a better front end than is under the truck now, you can add power disc brakes and steering to it easily enough.

I might think about using an AOD tranny rather than a C6 behind the 302. IMHO

John

 

What's wrong with a C6 i've drilled out the valve body put a shift kit in with a 2500 stall torque converter. What truck would i look for to get the power brakes and power steering?You say that you would keep the I-Beam suspension instead of putting a racken pinion.

 

Walt,

1st I'll 2nd JO Wilkers' greeting with a Welcome fo FTE and the 67-72 Forum pages.
C-6 has about a 20% loss coefficient compared to 11% or 12% of the later, C4 based, AOD transmissions which were designed & built with efficiency in mind. The C6 is also about 30% heavier than a C4, I am not sure how much heavier than an AOD however. If you plan to "work" your truck, I can see using a C6, but if your primary use will be a recreational one, then I would use a C4 based unit. I'd choose C4 based AOD from 87 thru 92 vehicles. The 1st gen' AOD has planetary oiling problems, later version A4EOD or E4AOD or whatever they're called, is a disappointment IMHO. It is like a 700R, apt to let you down for no apparent reason when you least need to be let down.

As for donors for PDB & P/S use 73-79 production years, & F-100/150 model trucks. If you can run across a 77-78-79 F-150 Trailes Special is has brakes as big as an F-250 but with the 5 on 5.5 lug pattern of F-100 & F-150 trucks.
These years are a bolt-up deal using I beams & all, or in most cases from the spindle/ caliper brackets outward so you can go two ways.

The steering boxes are all the same for 2Wd trucks from 73-79 and are a bolt in deal for your truck. There are early & late style P/S. From 69 back the Bendix-Armstrong P/S is a full time system using high PSI with different pump & box. Most 70s will have the newer Saginaw based P/S with the partial time P/S. They use slipper technology so the pump makes less PSI at higher RPM and More at Lower RPM. The net end result beyond a more efficient, less power robbing system, is true road feel at highway speed and better control across your operating range. . . .

As for the place to start, sounds as if you're already in the middle of a project! None the Less, Drive it for a while would be what I would advise. I'd also suggest keeping a Journal of your Ideas & thoughts as you go along thinking of & developing concepts to apply to the project. Add everything tp the Journal as a record of development for the truck. What you want, what you think, what you buy & install, what you upgrade, what you did/ do any changes and what you use to make them, all this will add BIG $$ to the finished Value of your project as well as a great reference for you later when you have to go back and make more changes or upgrades.
I've had my "Slick" for over 30 years. I did not keep a journal, but wish I had. It's had several engines & drive trains & lots of changes since it was a 240CID 3spd OD in 1973 when I first got it.

But this isn't about me

FBp

 

Thanks Pete,I appreciate the info and suggestions. I do have a log on what i've spent and how many hours that i've put in this project.I'm going to take the cab off today.I've taken off the bed and took everything out inside the cab.It wasn't in to bad of shape when i got it.It's just been sitting in a barn for along time.The floor has alot of rust and the doors didn't have all the guts.The bed has a piece of roofing material screwed down inside the bed.The doors shut easy and tight.The seam down the middle isn't rusted out and the hood is in real good shape.I just got new floor panels,tinted glass,regulators,anti rattle kits,all the seals for windows,new hood hinges,door panels,and arm rests.I've always wanted a Sports Custom swb truck.I've had 3 other Ford trucks 78Lariat,and 2 81 F150's. I do believe that this one i'll keep for along time.I've just retired so i got alot of time to think about what i'll do to it.I do have to watch about getting items for it because it can get into alot money quick.

 

Walt, one differing view here. I don't ever want to know just how much I've spent on projects, makes me crazy. Also if there is a Mrs SportCustomWalt it might be better not to leave a paper trail.

Good luck with the project.

 

Yes Mike there is a Mrs,and she can't wait to see it finished.I do believe if she was to lay off buying clothes and shoes every month i could get a lot more for my baby.I just want to be able to enjoy it as i go and i have so far. I got the truck for a couple of reasons.The main reason is i've always wanted a swb SportCustom,next is it keeps me busy during the day if i haven't got any thing else to do,next it has gotten me away from a long boring project that i've been on the past 2 years. Hopefully i wont have themm boring project for awhile. I have been remodeling my home after them 3 Hurricanes in 04. I'm a true Native of Florida. Born in Miami and came to Lakeland after Hurricane Andrew took everything from me. I got here in 95 thinking that alli had to do was be careful of the lighting and Tornadoes. Well them 3 hurricanes help me give my wife her house dressed up the way she wanted it and i'm still doing changes on the house. Then i decided i'll retire now and enjoy life as it'a suppose to be. I retire Jan 06 after 30 years in US Postal Service. The Mrs thought it would be okay but it wasn't easy the first 3 months because she has to work 25 more years. I played it smart School,Military,Post Office and 50 retire.We talk all about getting a truck to keep me busy and happy.Now it's time to enjoy life as it suppose be before the World rains on my Parade. I really appreciate all of you guys replies and info.Also any of you fellas want to stop over and have a cold one you are more than welcome.I have gotten a couple of replies from some Florida fellas. Again Thanks for all your support.

 

Pretty good plan Walt. I retired after 20 years with the State, but now work part time for the Postal Service as a Rural Carrier Associate. Small world.

 

I'll add a few things I've learned building trucks and hot rods:

1. It's going to take longer then you thought

2. It's going to cost more then you thought.

3. Plan your work, work your plan....

Sounds like a neat project. I would add to what Jowilliker said about the front suspension. If you're going to use it as a truck, the front end is great. If you're building one like mine that is just a Saturday night cruiser and occasionally a road trip or two an IFS front end is super for getting a truck low and improving the handling, braking, and ride. All depends on your intended usage for the truck.