Project "Daisy" part 1. A '56 f-100 gets shortened.
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Freshman User
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From: Plainwell, Mich.
Project "Daisy" part 1. A '56 f-100 gets shortened.
My name is Dave and my project truck is a 1956 f-100. It's from Oklahoma(I'm in Michigan) and has been sitting for years. The license plate on her is from 1973. I named her Daisy after the previous owner. She is a long bed(unfortunately)and has the original 6 cylinder with a 4 speed. It was complete and quite solid when I bought her though it had been a work truck so has it's share of dents and dings. After a little work on the carb and fuel pump it actually started right up and ran perfect. Didn't even smoke or leak! I only drove her around the block a few times as the front tires were quite weather worn and ready to give out. It shifted good but with no brakes that was as far as I went. Look in my gallery to see my progress as I update Daisy to be my daily driver. Let me know what you think. Ruining a perfectly good old truck or bringing one back to life. I've been reading this forum for sometime now gathering info on how and what to do with her. Thanks to all of you.
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From: Michigan
Looks like you have a good start. You may not want to cut that long bed box it may be worth more then you think.
I installed the Fat Man dropped spindels on my volare frt susp, it was worth the work (not sure about his high price). Got some susp travel back but was able to keep it low.
Have fun, maybe I'll see you on the road someday.
Chuck
I installed the Fat Man dropped spindels on my volare frt susp, it was worth the work (not sure about his high price). Got some susp travel back but was able to keep it low.
Have fun, maybe I'll see you on the road someday.
Chuck
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Nice work. I know how difficult it is to cut that frame in half since I went through the same process in converting my F-3 to an F-1. Those long beds may be rare but they sure are ugly. I see your progress as a definite improvement on the truck. The Volare front will make it ride very smooth. 
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From: Michigan
Whats with everyone wanting to shorten their truck.. Guess I'm just the odd ball who lengthened mine (stretched whole truck 20 inches into an extended cab). Your truck looks good though. 
I do agree with Dee that you may be able to sell off that long bed to help finance your project. Any stock bed, especially a long box are hard to find in good shape since no one makes repros.
I do agree with Dee that you may be able to sell off that long bed to help finance your project. Any stock bed, especially a long box are hard to find in good shape since no one makes repros.
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Plainwell, Mich.
Still have all the original parts.
Yeah I don't plan to cut the original box down. I got a short box that I bought already. When I get done with the project and am satisfied the whole engine,trans, rearend will probably go on E-bay. Try to get back a little of what I'll spend on the build. I am probably going to cut the long running boards down though as buying new short ones is a little expensive. I'm like most people and don't have a money tree in my back yard. This is a fun project. I'm amazed at how easy the tear down was. The old trucks don't have any extra junk on them. Everything is simple. The bolts even came out good which is a shock for us up here in the rust belt. A vehicle from up here has rusty old bolts. Cut em, break em, or torch em in most cases.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: oh
I am glad you are in-process of a nice 56!!I personally would have bought a short frame and swapped everything,but you seem like you know your business.I have F600S and you think your frame is long!!!I like your pics.
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From: AKRON ohio
If the long bed running boards are good they are worth double what shorty boards go for.
Kevin Bigwin
Kevin Bigwin
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Michigan
Don't cut those long boards!!!, those are going to be worth a small fortune if they are in good shape. If anything you should be abel to at least trade them for a nice set of short boards.
It took me forever to find a decent "repairable" set for my 52 F-3 since they aren't being reproduced and doubt they will be anytime soon.
It took me forever to find a decent "repairable" set for my 52 F-3 since they aren't being reproduced and doubt they will be anytime soon.
Last edited by irondragon79; Feb 8, 2007 at 12:22 PM.
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I echo the comments of the others regarding cutting the long boards. My F-3 boards were toast so I went with fiberglass F-1 boards. Sell or trade the long boards. As to why I shortened my truck. I did not have a bed or decent running boards, found them virtually unobtainable since nobody reproduces them, and I think long beds are ugly. Is that enough? Now with an extended cab the long bed might look better...
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From: Michigan
Originally Posted by GreatNorthWoods
and I think long beds are ugly. Is that enough? Now with an extended cab the long bed might look better...
(sorry, really not trying to hijack the thread... now back to Dee C's truck)
Dee, I'm sure you could sell off both the long bed and long running boards and be able to buy yourself a set of F-100 boards with some cash left over for other goodies. I'm sure if a fellow FTE'r doesn't want them there is always ebay.
Oh and as a side note, I'm loving all the Michigan truck owners in here
Last edited by irondragon79; Feb 8, 2007 at 02:24 PM.
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From: Saskatoon SK Canada
Sounds like a nice truck . I'm another guy that likes the longbox but I'm making mine into a dually. 
I think the short boxes look well too short with the rear fenders at the end of the bed.
. I'm another guy that likes the longbox but I'm making mine into a dually. I think the short boxes look well too short with the rear fenders at the end of the bed.
