Hello all, just wondering if anyone has an old Ford that they put way too much time ,money,and themselves into?
I've had this 17 years now, it's a 67 ford f-100 custom that use to be a fire truck for Monroe township fire dept. here in Indiana, it served a few years fighting fires,but was relegated to farm duty in the mid 70's, where it was used and abused till it just gave out and left in the field where it layed till 1990 when i found it, the ex-state fire marshall still owned it and a deal was made for $100, there wasn't a straight panel on it, it had the old 352 and cruis-a-matic that still run though and it looked bad!, my friends couldn't believe I bought such a piece of crap, and when they asked what I was going to do with it, I told them I was going to make a show truck out of it, should have heard them laugh,..... but they aren't laughing now, within a year it was in it's first show, now 17 years later it's won a roomfull of trophies, been on TV and in magazines and newspapers and even won the Ed Roth family award in 2005 at the Ed Roth Memorial,as well as the first flamethrower show ever sponsored by the James Dean Run in Fairmount In. , it's on it's 3rd engine (390) and 10th C-6 transmission(I hate C-6's), been lowered 12" (no air bags or hydralics), tilt front end, ws-6 GM front suspension, 9" 31 spline rear, hand made spiderweb grill, aurora fog lights with led's for tailights, 2 10" dia. stainless steel flamethrowers, Tv inside and an audio system that does 144.3 db at the DB drags and way too many other things to list, and I did it all myself, welding ,fabricating, engine suspension..everything, had a little help from my son that was killed 2 yrs ago by a drunk driver just 3 weeks after he returned from Iraq, the truck has sat pretty much since then, but now I'm getting her back out from under the trees and fixin to give her a facelift again,.................. Anyone else got something like this?

 

I don't have a bump like it, but I have to say NICE RIDE!!!!! thanks for sharing your story and your pics, hope the truck turns out great once again. And sorry to hear about your son, it amazes me how people think they have the right to consume alcohol and then drive... just doesn't make any sense. Thanks again for the pics, and keep them coming.
Cole

 

Welcome to FTE, nice truck. Sorry to hear about your son.

I have started the paint work on my 68 that is stripped down right now. I will be customizing it but mainly on the inside and drive train. I like the classic look. As for the C6, they are pretty bullet proof if done right. My dad pulled 8,000 lbs cattle trailers with the F100 (1/2 ton) and electric brakes and the C6 lasted for 35 years. The seals started leaking after I got it from him 7 yrs ago. I have since rebuilt it and installed a higher rpm stall torq converter to allow for the cam.

The audio system is for the younger generation. Knowing that any noise above 70dB will do damage to your ears.

 

welcome! that rite there is a pretty nice truck,im shure you'll get'er back in tip top shape in no time. while your working on the ol'truck it'll bring back some good memoreys. i to lost a son about 2 1/2 years ago so i know what your goin thru. as far as your ? i think most of us have an old truck that we spent more time and money on then we wanted to!! i know i did and i havent even painted it yet.

 

Blue68, they are tough, but it seems flamethrowing where my engine sees 6000-6500 rpm in park or neutral,is pretty hard on them, this one has lasted 5 yrs and 13000 miles, but I had it custom built for this, and yes the audio system is for a younger generation,I'm 47 and it sure makes my day when their hoopd's pull up next to me playing their rap,and I drown them out with some Toby Keith or George Straight, Yes Sir it does!
Wizzard, truly sorry to hear about your son,can't think of anything harder than losing a child, sure was for me...

 

Wow bad @$$ truck you have very nice

 

Welcome! Sorry to hear about your son. I don't understand how someone can survive a war then come back to have their life taken from them by a drunk driver. My 20 year old is slated to do his tour over there in the first months of 2008. I have a 1970 that is a work in progress that I am turning into a 4X4. I really like your grill. SWEET! If you need another 390 and a C6, drive an hour north and you can have them, FREE. They both need rebuilt. They are just taking up space in my barn and it sounds like you can put them to good use. A fellow HOOSIER, Dan

 

Dan, I guess some things are just not meant to be understood, I thank God we had the three weeks he was home to know the man he had become, he was different than the "boy" that left here... enjoy your boy, war has a way of changing people, good or bad , they all return a little different.
Thanks for the offer, but I believe these will be around for a while, I'm a little different too, I find myself a little more reserved, not so eager to push it to the limit, a little more sentimental, he helped me do the install, the tuning and helped a little with the tunes too, and the truck led his funeral procession throwing fire for 15 miles, so this truck has become part of the family and I'm not going to risk losing any part of it just yet..........Dan,sent you a pm....................Steve

 

Steve, keep tweaking and updating ...it has a way of helping you heal although you will never completely heal. It does keep you from going insane. Keep us updated on the new features of your truck. Hope to see you at the Ducktail. Dan

 

Dan, been through the insane part, it wasn't pretty, but I started back with traditional archery, and the mental focus it requires has given me the focus and healing I need to get back on my truck, lots of memories in it that I had a hard time getting over, couldn't bear to change it, but now, it's time to continue and take it to the next level, I need to find a cab though................Steve

 

Steve What do you need by way of a cab? The one I have needs a floor due to a mickey mouse repair job. It would be perfect if you plan on channeling it. Other wise a southern cab is in order. There was an Arkansas cab on ebay last month from a guy that lives in the Muncie area. Sold for $500. Our sponsor, Mike's Truck Salvage, has South Carolina cabs that need very minor rust repair. Then you just sand blast and paint. Click on the link in the box on the left hand side. The people here are very helpful when you are searching for a particular part. Good luck. Dan

 

that is a gorgeous truck. spray some wd40 on those rims, then take some 2000 grit sandpaper and go to town. then clean them off the best you can and finish the job with some mothers ultimate polish. its like 14 bucks a can but worth every penny.

 

Danger_Dave, been into show cars for 30 years, I use to use mothers, but I found this stuff called "Speedy metal polish", it is the best polish I've ever used!!, those billet rims haven't been polished but once in 2 years ,sitting outside too,took me less than an hour for all four, they look like mirrors now, can't beat speedy, I've tried, nothing holds a candle to it...Serious!!
Dan, I'm tired of chasing rust,covering it up just prolongs the agony, rather spend the bucks for as rust free as I can get, but been toying with the Idea of going full kustom, and just using the chassis and making my own body similar to the Hot Wheels surf crate without a top,out of wood, and I can probably build it myself for less than a rust free body, just an Idea though, this truck has a lot of memories...