🚗 Introducing: Project G-PA 🚗

Two years ago, I picked up this ’57 Ford F-100 because it’s the same year my grandpa drove back in the day. It ran, it was registered, and I told myself I’d get to it “soon.” Well… soon finally showed up.

The name says it all — this build is for my grandpa's memory, keeping a piece of that history alive while giving it a new chapter with my own story.

Current plan:

• Keep the original 223 inline-6 and 3 on the tree for now — giving it a refresh. May convert to automatic if I find something worth it. Tore it down and found it’s already been rebuilt at least once (maybe twice) with a 0.060" overbore.
• Disc brakes all around to future-proof stopping power.
• Crown Vic front end
• Ford Explorer 8.8 rear end
• Short bed conversion (I’ve got both beds — the long bed might become a matching trailer).
• Lay-frame air ride

It’s going to be a mix of nostalgia and upgrades — keeping the soul, but making it road-ready for today.

Follow along… Project G-PA is officially underway.

 

You'll have it ready for Hot August Nights next summer?

 

Hello! I got my first ever project truck, a '78 F150, and I pretty much know nothing about fixing anything~ I was living abroad for almost five years and decided I wanted something just so classically american. I'm excited because I will be fixing it up with my father so it will be so much more than just a truck by the time it's all finished.

That said, I'm joining because I know nothing, and while my old man is car savvy, something of this age is pretty new to him too! I hope folks on this site can share their wisdom with me for my forever truck

~Gina

 

new to FTE and older trucks. this seems like a great forum for advice. I just purchased a 1987 Ranger XLT and would love any and all advice on all of it...

 

Go to the correct forum for your 1987-1996 and talk them folks up.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum28/

 

Kinda funny, I just picked up a 06 F250 and this forum had a lot of good info so I tried signing up and it said I already have an account. Not only that but I've been a member of this forum for 15 years which confused me since my first Ford was a new 2016 Interceptor. Turns out I signed up back when I was working with a hybrid electric company building them a hybrid F450, but it wasn't mine.




But this is my "new to me" 2006 F-250 RWD.. first diesel I've owned.


It has 250k on the clock and has front end issues, but has a bunch of Banks stuff on it, BPD EGR cooler, and seems to run well. It's very clean in and out, well after I cleaned it. I'm pretty impressed the interior looks as good as it does for how many miles are on it. The exterior has been resprayed, unfortunately not very professionally. The paint looks good but all they did was very haphazardly mask off the trim so you see the new paint stop 1/4" from the trim. But it looks good from 10 ft. lol.

Mods so far:

• All new ball joints
• New front wheel bearings
• Replaced horn pad (shorted)
• Installed USB port in place of power port
• Replaced all instrument cluster/ dash lights with LEDs
• Replaced dome lights and bed light/ CHMSL with LEDs
• Interior detailing/ dog hair removal

Planned:

• Full steering linkage/tie rod replacement
• Full fluid/filter service
• Front end bushings
• Alignment
• Body bushings
• Ham radio install
• Raptor bedliner
• phone holder install
• Glow plugs/harnesses... (have a code for GP#5)

I'm realizing how much I enjoy making old things like new again.

 

welcome to GINA

hang around. ask as many question's as you want, and be advised your not the only LADY in here, we have a few that speak mechanic as well if not better than some of the men as members

 

oops... somehow it dropped me to introduce myself into a thread that is only for up to 2016... appologies.

 

Hi everyone,

Glad to join the community! I’m the owner of a 2004 F-150 XL, which I’ve kept running strong over the years. Like many of you, I really value the reliability and toughness of these trucks.

I’m currently working on an innovation project with a small team: developing a hybrid conversion kit designed specifically for used pickups like the F-Series. The idea is to retrofit existing trucks instead of replacing them, with benefits such as:

• Lower fuel consumption
  
• Instant torque for towing and hauling
  
• Extended lifespan for the trucks we already own
  

We’re still at the stage of gathering feedback and learning from other truck owners. I joined this forum not only because I’m passionate about my F, but also because I want to hear from people who know these trucks inside out.

Looking forward to connecting with you all, and I’ll be happy to share updates as the project moves forward.

Cheers,
James

 

Welcome to Join the local group chapter for your state for bsing fun and get togethers

 

Interesting. I was doing the same 15 years ago (see the hybrid F450 a few posts back). I also built a hybrid van for a telecom and a garbage truck for a local municipality. I worked on a series hybrid electric garbage truck that was being finished just as I started with the company for a municipality in CA. This thread is probably not the place, but I'm interested in hearing your approach. DM me if you'd like to chat or if you start a specific thread on the topic.

 

Coming back to this forum after many years of being gone. I have a 99 F-350 supercab 2WD w/V10 Lariat that has been great. Owned it for about 20 years now but currently looking
at newer F-350 Dually with 7.3 double cab to replace it with.
Rather have 2WD for my camper but looks like that may be difficult to find.
Maybe 2023 or later lariat or king ranch.
One thing I'll need is the camper package and don't see many used trucks with this package.
I'll need to figure out how to fix that if I buy one without the camper package.
Glad to be back.
Cheers

 

Welcome back, look for fifth-wheel prep, this will come with inside bed connections and hitch connections as well. Well they did on the 2021 any how. You’ll have to add the sway-bar. But if fifth prep and crew you’ll be at max GVWR anyhow, my ‘21 is 4,066 payload, but is SW so not sure what that’ll put the dually at. Good luck searching, but had to order mine as wanted no moon and front bench with center fold, was pretty much nonexistent.

 

Thanks for the tip. My camper weighs about 4200 lbs so very close to the SRW max but I would probably want to install my 19.5 wheels & tires if I go with SRW.
Does the fifth-wheel prep also include the heavy duty springs on the front?

 

Yeah definitely dually required for that big boy, some of these slide in campers are getting crazy. Unfortunately, no on the front spring, not sure what option I think it was the black package would not allow me to select camper package for the heavy duty front springs, but I was able to select the heavy duty front springs as a separate option. Fords option selection can be very finicky, but there is usually a way around it; not always. If you found something you like though, heavy duty front springs change out wouldn’t be too bad.