Hello all. I just got a 1955 ford f100 and bin reading this bord and I can see I want to go into the darkside but really I don’t. See it’s a 223 st8 6. I need a v8 but before I do that I want to up grade my breaks Steering and Suspension. All the work I want to do to this truck I want to make sure some day when I don’t want the v8 and more I can make the truck 100% original again. Hers what I have bin thinking.<O:p</O:p

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Steering 53-56 TOYOTA Power Steering Kit<O:p</O:p

Vibration Reducer/U-Joint Combo 5/8-36 x 1-48 <O:p</O:p

Ididit 32" Chrome Tilt Column - No Shifter ,<O:p</O:p

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breaks- F100 COMPLETE Front Disc Brake Conversion Kit (5.5 bolt circle) <O:p</O:p

9 INCH REAR DISC BRAKE CONVERSIONS-5.5 <O:p</O:p

 

Sounds to me like you need to decide on a plan...and stick with that.

Darkside or liteside is your own preference. But changing "back to original" someday is not a good plan. It is my understanding that the engine mounts for the 6 and 8 are very different, the tranny may/may not bolt up, the driveshaft will change, etc. Believe me, once you do that much work, you won't be of a mind to undo it for any perceived increase in retail value. Unless you wind up with an "original" 100 point show truck, the 8, in a driver, has slightly better resale anyway.

Disk on the front is a good safety addition. But disk on the rear is overkill and hard to balance with the front disk. Keep the stock drums. They are plenty of rear brakes.

You'll like the Power Steering. It is very handy maneuvering in a parking lot. Not very valuable on the freeway. The Toyota box is a popular way to do it, although junk yard units are becoming hard to find and pricy.

Chrome columns are very pretty. I would love one. Are you sure you want to install it, then change it back? Wiring it up is a job not without challeges.

I suggest you get it driveable and drive it a lot. You'll have fun and figure out what it wants to be when it grows up. Believe me, the truck will tell you. You can do the changes you are talking about (brakes, steering) as a rolling resto with minimum downtime and stay motivated to finish the job. If you decide, after that kind of time with the truck, that a full frame-up resto is what you want to do, folks here can help with every step. Most frame-up builds, with major mods, take years to do.

BTW, where do you live?

Welcome to FTE!!!

 

Welcome to the Forum!

X2 on driving it stock for a while, the truck WILL tell you.

 

Luke. I am your father. Come with me, and together we can rule this galaxy.

I contemplated the same thing for the last 2 years. I figured since I didn't have 100% original parts, I would go darkside...with the thought of finding another truck down the line that is all there, and original. Doesn't help with your dilemma, but atleast you know yer not alone, lol.

 

On my 56 I got another frame to clip and kept the orginal one totally stock with the power train, axles ect all in storage.
I doubt I ever will go back but it could be done if really desired as the body will be left orginal too. It would be way too much work to change back.
I`m sure I`ll like it too much slightly modified to change back.

 

Welcome to the board!!

You've already recieved some great advice. I agree with getting it running first and driving it for a bit, especially if it won't take too much to make it driveable. The memories you make while driving your tuck around will go along way to carry you through the rough times when you are completely broke and sick and tired of wire brushing rust directly into your eyeballs.

There is nothing wrong with a straight 6. You can dress up the 6 pretty danged good and get quite a bit of performance out of it as well. People would sure give it a double take when they looked under your hood.

Like Randy said, do a bit of thinking and settle on a plan. Take into account on what you want the truck for, daily driver, occasional weekend driver, full blown trailer queen, etc. That will do alot to steer you in the right direction.

Good luck
Bobby

 

Over the years I have heard people say time and time again that they want to modify their old car or truck but not to the extent that it could not be put back original. Yet, I have never met anyone who after modifying that car/truck wanted it back original.

Come to the dark side...we have cookies.

 

Welcome aboard....... the Dark Side is strong young one :-) I agree with driving it and fine tuning the plan, I wish I did but total lack of oil pressure and very low compression started me down the slippery slope to a pile-o-parts in the shop.......and where are these cookies that are spoken of :-) LOL

 

Think you should drive it as long as you can. Sometimes it takes years to settle on a plan. Plans change with the weather. And years to see a plan through to the end. So make small plans first, do things that you can do as well as drive it in the process. That way you can have the fun of working on it and drive it at the same time. .........................RUSTY

 

These guys are real good teachers.I think all the instruction they gave is good info!Once you change it over-you will more than not like it that way.Drive it awhile first--and you will not be dissapointed.Going back stock is my taste--but all those creature comforts would be hard to take away. BILL

 

"I suggest you get it driveable and drive it a lot. You'll have fun and figure out what it wants to be when it grows up. Believe me, the truck will tell you. "

And I thought I was the only one that has a truck that talks to him.

 

The advice to make the truck a safe driver is a good one. Drive it a while and make plans for what it will be when it grows up. I can only look at mine and wonder what it would have told me, the PO made sure it wasn't going anywhere with some of the cobbled up, suspension mods that were done. I hope to have my 53 driveable this summer, then he can tell me what he wants to be, Someday........
Oh yeah, welcome to FTE, the best Ford family on the net.

I'm still looking for those cookies over here on the darkside too!!!

 

frist off thanks for all the help and tips. (im gona need all i can get) I have 1 summer driving the truck the way it is and wow i feel like im driving my old mans tractor ( way too much play in the weel) I must do somting about this right away. Its to the point now i dont feel safe. Can the steering box be re bilt?
The breaks pull to the right but work good so im shure with a little MORE adjustment i can work them out.But i still need the v8 power. I do have a top load tranny out of a grand treano (sp) here in my gradge.Had big plans for this truck when i got it but the more i drive it the way it is the more i like it. All i need now is to leave the odd parking lot sideways. where do i go what do i do??

ps im from hazard county nova scotia

 

Okay I have to ask ........... although I did move away from Nova Scotia almost 30 years ago....... I lived the first 20 years of my life in Cumberland County, did a new County get added to the province?
Where the heck is Hazard County in Nova Scotia?

 

Hants county sorry
local slang not use to being out side the county well i guess welcome me to the www