I have a 1979 F-150 4x4, and I'm looking to do a "frame-off" restoration......I guess. I'm kinda new to all this. I know I want to pull everything apart, fix it, clean it, and put it all back together. Down to cleaning the frame and painting it. Does anyone have any references as to how to go about doing this daunting task? I would really appreciate it.

 

Are you looking to everything yourself? If so, I'd suggest getting a Haynes or Chilton Manual and maybe a "how to rebuild a Ford V8". That will get you in the right direction for tearing apart and putting back together for most things mechanical. If you are looking at doing some body work too you may want to invest in a manual for that. Do you have access to the tools needed? Some of those things may sound very fundamental, but figured I'd suggest it anyway.

When you start, take many pics. If you don't have a basic digital camera, I'd suggest getting one. Pics will come in handy not only for putting things back together, but if you have questions, it's easier to show a pic than trying to explain sometimes. Also, get some plastic ziplock bags and a permanent marker and label everything from bolts to brackets. Don't throw anything away unless you are sure a part is bad. Some things even the littlest thing can be obsolete and hard to find. Another thing, price parts in different places. Prices will vary.

Original Equipment Parts and New Old stock parts are much better than aftermarket, but in many cases more expensive.

When I started my restoration, I started by taking off the bed, then front clip, , then doors, than interior, than cab. That will leave you with good access to the drivetrain to begin tearing that down. To me that was the easiest.

If you can get your frame sandblasted, that would be best. It can take an industrial sandblaster about an hour to blast the entire frame. For the money and time you'll save yourself, that's the best. Otherwise, people have used their wirewheel grinders, but that's pretty hard on the tool and will take much time. If you are looking to do a restore on a tight budget, than you could also just powerwash the heck of the frame and get some "paint over rust paint such as Rust Bullet or Chassis Saver" and brush or spray it on. However, if you go to all the work of tearing it down, just as well do it right. From there it's basically putting things back together with drivetrain/engine/axles, cab, interior, front clip, bed, etc.

And ask questions on the forums. Don't limit yourself to one resource too. You may find the answer from multiple resources.

 

x2 except I like the original "Ford Truck Shop Manual". I write notes in mine
and write them right on the page they pertain to. Been doing that to my set
since December of '74, before I got the pickup. LOL :)

My parts truck came without an engine and the hood laying in the bed...
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/F100front.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/F100front1.jpg

If you got one that ain't a rust bucket, it'll only take you a few days to
completely dismantle the thing. LOL :) I'm waiting to haul mine to a friend's
and will dump off the cab, fill it with spare parts and bring back the empty bed
to make a trailer. Might bring home my 361FT tho. Not sure yet.

When you say "I'm kinda new to all this." are you talking about mechanicin'
in general or just old Ford pickups?

http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/hoist1.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/hoist2.jpg

Alvin in AZ

 

bucks 77 pretty much said it all , good explanation there... thats the way i have done a few restorations in the past. just takeing your time and saveing everything ....simple understanding of the mechanics of it all helps bigtime. good luck with your restoration.....and if you are gonna break out the sand blaster take the cab off and sandblast the botom and coat it with a good rust inhibiter of your choice dont skimp on the undercarage at all ,,,even though you will never really see it ,,,,its like starting with the roof of your house on a rem odel there no point in doin a new bathroom if your roof leaks....no point in doin a great paint job and just watch it start to rust out from the bottom edge in a year or so !!! good luck

 

Shot me either a PM or email at mmchajny@aol.com I have a 79 F150 frame and axles that have been sandblasted and painted and can probably save you some money over doing yours.
Ray

 

Make sure you know what your getting yourself into. I can't count the times I almost decided to sell mine as a basket case half way thru.

 

I would have to agree with this. It would take alot for me to sell mine, but my truck has been in the works for over 3 years now and I'm not done. Plus, the money involved in doing this, I could have bought a brand new Ford. However, I knew before I started that I'd have a ton of money thrown into it and to expect it. However, it's more expensive that what I initially thought, hence the reason why it's taking me over 3 years to get where I'm at.

Remember, you can find some gremilins in these trucks even when you think yours is in good shape. My cab I chose appeared to have great cab corners and a magnet stuck really well, but when they were sanded down, metal was very thin and had some pinholes. If you come up with a budget, figure at least $5000 more. That may sound like alot, but if you budget that and don't need it, great. That means more toys and upgrades. But if you do use it, than at least you weren't surprised.

I don't want to discourage any restorations because it's awesome seeing these trucks being restored, but as Ranger said, just be prepared.

 

Wow, I appreciate the response. I don't really have a budget or a timeline for this project. I'm going to enjoy the project more than the finished product. Thanks buck77ford. I was looking for a game plan like that. I'm new to everything. I've done a little work on vehicles (changing brakes, replace a radiator, new starter, etc.), but nothing, and I mean nothing, of this magnitude. I just didn't even know how to go about tackling it. And as for the frame and axles master chief, I appreciate the offer, but I want to keep as much of the original parts off this truck as possible. Kind of a nostalgia involved. But I'm sure I will comin' back to ya'll for many more questions along the way. Thanks again.