I am like Brian_B, a little bit on the darkside, not fully. My 53 is mainly stock on the outside. Except for the filled seams around the cowl, I have a working cowl vent. But the inside and under the chassis that's were I come into the darkside. Jag front, 9'' rear, 351c, glide seat, flaming river steering column, etc. But I kept the fuel tank and battery in it's original positions. "DARKSIDER"

 

I will probably fit a little bit in the darkside, but not obviously... unless concour people are looking at it. I plan on switching over to a 4x4 chassis, large tires, low stance. Custom interior. Custom bed (wider with extras) and of course paint. But nothing like hydraulics or wings or flame throwers.

 

Definately Darkside over here,

Mustang II Front end Jaguar IRS Rear, air suspension all round. Ford 4.6 Modular engine and Manual 5 speed Tremec. Home made hydraulic tipping bed, Smoothed de-seamed body, 1 1/2" stretched rear fenders etc.etc. Most of which is still work in progress.

I am also planning on making some subtle curves (wings) on the rear bed as the top edges are pretty beat up. (Something similar, but not as extreme as Keith's) Keith provides a lot of inspiration..

Cheers
Lee

 

Darksider here....purists are okay but TOO strict....plus the truck needs to go over 65mph for me!!!!!

 

Click on my link below and check out the F-STAR 5397 project I am soon to start. I have collected most of the pieces. Starting in March or April.

Small pic in my Signature.

Later Folks...

 

So, does this mean that I am a darksider. I mean, the truck looooks stock, inside and out. Well, inside the cab and on the out side of the body anyways. Under the hood, is a completely different story. Does this mean that that big ole CATerpillar V-8 diesel under there is a dark side thing? The stuff coming out the pipe is kinda dark. The sound is nothing like an old Ford. I just don't know where I'm at anymore.......I'm confused. I think it's dark, but maybe it's just that the sun went down. HELP

 

The first couple of pages in this thread had some excellent posts. I'll agree with just about everyone here. There are some trucks, that only a fool would chop up, those are the ones that are too good, and too original for anything but a true restoration. They are so intact, and clean for their age, that they are worth restoring to as close to new as possible. THEN, there are the clunker, junkers, and rust buckets, that the men and women of this world save from the scrap man. The respectable ones know what's worth keeping when they tear down, and quickly offer it up to others, in order to help fund their lust for the custom ride that has haunted their dreams for years. They do not toss anything aside, unless it is truly JUNK (can be replaced with a perfect reproduction piece, or a more easily restored original for less than it would cost to even start restoring the junk part). If it wasn't for dark siders, and light siders, this world wouldn't work. They provide us with our ebay scores, and our swap meet treasures. They save the trucks that would other wise be recycled into some thing, but who knows what. The light siders, keep the originals alive, so that our future generations will be able to enjoy the sights of a priceless piece of American truck heritage. I commend all sides for their valiant efforts to stay in the game, and keep these old Fords running, and for maintaining individuality in this day and age.

 

Newbie to this site. Lost my bonusbuilt.com fix . Did something happen to Horrortaxi? Hope he's OK.

On to this thread, I wasn't a darksider at first, got a 52 Ford F2 back in 1990 was going to keep stock. It was in 97 that I started considering modifications after the 52 F2 went swimming without me during a flood . Took pictures of the water going over the fenders. In 98 swapped out the locked up flathead with 351W. Fuel tank, 74 GMC saddle tank, 90 Ranger 60/40 seats. In 2007 the rear end and me parted company, I turned left, it wanted to go right. Replaced it with 1971 F250 Dana 60 with 3.73 gears. I use to have how it was done on the Bonusbuilt site. May have to recreate it here for others. Did all the work myself. So I'm on the way to the darkside.

What I'd like to know is there a diference in darksiders who do their own work or one who send it out to get it done? Or is that Taboo, sorry if I offend anyone. I do like how some trucks are done , it's just I normally can't aford to have it done for me. Unless I find it in a salvage yard an do it myself.

Looks like from now on, I'll be getting a fix from this site, Thanks.

 

I am right now because my truck came with a sbc when I bought it. Once I get other things done to it(steering, brakes, body work) I plan to put ford back in it.

 

Dark side for me also. I have a true appreciation for the work that goes into an original truck. Love looking at how they were originally built. My budget usually dictates my direction on a project. Bought my 1960 F100 2 years ago and let my collection of parts for it be the deciding factor in what it will be.

Other than stance the exterior will remain completely stock, trim and all. Underneath it will be a real mixture of later Ford. 1993 Lincoln aluminum 4.6 4v, 2003 Mustang Tremec 3650 5spd, 1991 Explorer 8.8 and 1997 Crown Victoria engine electronics.

Undecided at this point on front suspension but really leaning toward C4 Corvette......which is totally against my belief that it needs to be all Ford. Through homework, patience, buying, selling, parting out, trading and a little luck I have $275 in the bones for my drivetrain mentioned above and have been offered the C4 Corvette front suspension for free.

I'm in the process of going through the engine, trans and rear so when the weather breaks and I start on the frame I'm ready to roll.

 

Welcome to the DARKSIDE...

I can't speak for everyone here but I'd have to say the typical Darksider does his own work. It's just not really something you can farm out because there is just no way to convey exactly what you want to others. I expect they would try to do what they want anyway. I can't say it's taboo. It's probably just one of those things that doesn't work out.

Later Man...

 

Hey Dave,
I like the looks of your Star 5397. It looks like a '53 Ford Ranger, like the 4 wheel drive window panel Ford made in '48-'51.

 

Looks to be a really cool idea. I find myself wondering how you are going to get the Windstar side door to slide past the 53 rear fender.

Have you worked out extended hinges and rollers for it or will you weld the door shut? Enquiring minds want to know!!

 

Thanks for the compliments Abe. Now all I have to do is build the dang thing. I do have most of the parts though. I have to admit, I don't know anything about the '53 Ford Ranger.

That name is just something I cooked up on the spur of the moment. I'll have to think up a better name for it.

Later Man...

 

None of the above.

The door will be converted to an electric over hydraulic operated split gull wing with a drop down step as the bottom third. CLICK HERE for all that info enquiring minds want to know.

Later Man...