I have an extra panel truck body that I wanted to sell but I just couldn't get what I wanted. I've done a lot of work on it, replaced the banged up roof and repaired all of other rust in the body and have the main body in epoxy primer, ready for for final block sanding. It still needs to have the floor worked on. I've decided to give it to my youngest son. He's just turned 16 and is going down for his license this Friday. I want him to work for the truck by doing the work himself, with whatever help I can offer.

As most of you guys who know me I'm a stocker. I don't have any real experience in modifying a truck from stock. Here is what I want to do to to the truck:

1. Small Ford (Keep it Ford)
2. Ford 9"
3. Automatic transmission?
4. Modern bucket seats
5. Tilt front end?

May questions are:

1. What would you suggest for an engine, I don't want him to have a street screamer just something stock with a little umf, I'm thinking a 302?
2. 9" no brainer, I think
3. Transmission, when I get the donor engine would a automatic from a car be OK? Or should I look into a F-150 with a three speed O/D set up?
4. Seats are no problem, whatever we can afford and fits his butt.
5. I don't know what we're really going to do but is there really an advantage to a tilt front end or is it just the cool factor. I know from working on my trucks you have to stand on a box to work on the engine but would the hassle of setting up a tilt clip be worth it?

This is going to be a low budget (Yeah, sure) project on a kid's budget so it's all going to be used parts. I want to this to be a truck a young kid would want to drive to school. I personally can't imagine any kid not wanting to drive a vintage panel truck to school!

One restriction; no cooty-bobbing this thing. No low profile 24" wagon wheels and no erector set spoiler on the back. It may be his truck but it'll still be registered to me. Give me your ideas and suggestions.

Maybe once he gets into the project he'll join the board.

 

I think the 302 is a good choice, it can be built to just meet your desires. you might also consider a 300 I-6, but the 302 would probrably be more practical. As for the transmission I would stick with one from a truck, but if you are going to have to rebuild one I'm not sure it matters much as you can build it to be what you want.

 

Bob, I would look for a donor Crown Vic to harvest the engine, trans and rear-end. If you are really ambitious, you could also add the IFS too. This would give him the benefit of power steering and modern suspension and brakes. For a modest street driven vehicle, a 9" isn't needed, the 8.8 from the CV will be good.

 

A brake upgrade may be something to consider as well. Maybe not so much discs all around, but a dual master set-up would be beneficial. To keep it simple, a motor mount/crossmember from CPP for a 302 would work, and any trans would work as well. Even finding a donor truck from pre-73 with an FE, 9", and trans would be a decent donor as well. Jeff's idea is a good one, too, as they are easier to find. If MPG is a concern, the 302 is about it.

 

Hi Bob, was wondering what ideas your son had,as mentioned it is going to be his truck but just a thought, if it is going to be built to your standards will he keep an interest. Maybe you have already hashed it out with him and he's okay with that. Maybe there will have to be compromise on both parts to keep both of you interested. It's a very nice gesture on your part and wish my dad had been so thoughtful. When I turned 16 I was made get rid of my panel and at times feel as though I'm still a bit bitter. Just my thoughts and hope it turns out. If you go darkside or build it stock he's going to be popular at school either way.

John

 

302EFI
AOD
8.8/9"
Stock Front End - Toyota Steering Box
or - Dakota Front End
Explorer/Ranger Seats - Bench-Bucket-60/40
Disk Front - Drum Rear

That is what I would build for someone else's Kid - Mine would have to learn Flathead and rowing gears.

 

My son had never really been into trucks or cars, other than having me cart his butt around town in one. He's always been kind of mechanical but this year he took the beginning auto shop, or as they call it now, "Transportation", and has started to hang around with a couple of gear heads which has, I think, given him the bug. I think right now he's kind of exited about working on the truck and really doesn't know what he wants to do with it. I will let him decide what he wants to do but right now he has no clue so I'm trying to guide him. I've never done a modified vehicle. When I was a kid my dad always discouraged me from doing anything like that. He was a great guy but never really encouraged or help me with anything, I want to be a little better than that so I'll try guide my son but also at the same time let him work out the problems. No better way to learn.

I also have another parts truck with a flat six that he wants to get running and put it into the panel, which would probably be the easiest thing to do, but I want him to have something a little easier to get parts for. I also have an extra running flat 8 but there's the cost factor associated with that too. I am also certain, like any teenager, he wants something with a little umf and I know he isn't going to get it from the flat six. We're still at the very beginning of the project so we have a lot of different ways to go with it.

I think it was be cool as he to go to a cruise in with both of our panels, one mostly stock, the other a little warmed over.

Thanks for all the input, keep it coming.

 

Very cool!

Personally I've never done a vehicle stock, Frankensteining it is a lot more fun, plus it teaches you to think differently and inspires you to be cleaver

1) 302 is a great engine, lots of parts. I currently have one in my Mustang, and my brother in his '69 Bronco, but I plan on putting a 351w EFI in my car soon... but you shouldn't build an engine with 450 hp when you're that young, lol. I say go with something that will work well, cheap parts, and sounds good. When he wants more power, then he can swap it out. Parts that work on 302s also work with 351s, well a lot of them, and the transmissions bolt up and so on. It makes it easier if he ever wants a lot of power to be set up for a 302 sized engine.

2) 9" will be the way to go, 8.8 will work well too. Careful on your gears though. Depending on what transmission you have will depend on this, but for example with 3.00 open in my car I can chirp the tires with a 302, with 4.11 I can make the front end stand up and burn the tires off. However I also have a 4-speed and I know people with AOD trans that 4.11 is normal, not on the low end. All depends on the transmission gear as to what to put in the end. But that rear gear could be the difference from, just ok to dangerous.

3) This is all preference. Personally I like manuals better, it feels like I'm actually driving. Makes me pay more attention to what I'm doing, which was good when I was a teen. Personally I think you learn a car a lot better if you use a manual, you're more involved in the drive. But there again, autos make it care free. As long as you bolt one up to an engine it can handle I don't see why you'd need heavy duty transmission, it's not like he's going to be pulling anything with it. Toploaders handle quite a bit.

4) Easiest part, just find what you like

5) Personally I might go with a tilt hood, but the whole front end is a lot more work. Plus you need to learn how on earth your supposed to get at certain angles under the hood, a tilt front is cheating :P

 

Bob, I've been in your position (more or less) 3 times with my three sons. My advice would be to buy a donor Crown Vic and let him drive that for at least a year. Kids crash cars... It happens too frequently. Let him get some miles under his belt before you put precious iron under him. CV's make a great first car, plenty of steel around him, and you can work on the ultimate powertrain before transplanting it. JMO....

 

Yeah good point. Not to mention the drivers in the school parking lot, my truck got hit A LOT by other people there. Anything nicer than what I had and i would have cried every day after school, lol

 

When I did the power brake setup on my 51 I got it off of Ebay for less than 225.00 braket pedal, master and booster. If you are going to change the engine/trans the crossmember will be out of the way. It bolted through some of the stock rivet holes from the CM. Then you have power brakes and a duel res master. You can buy a crossmember for the engine mount through Speeday for the SBF that should help out when mounting the engine and build a trans CM or buy one of theirs. I added an aluminum rad for less than 250.00 or you can adapt one from a mid 60-70s car or truck. Make it a fun project and the boy will love it.

I teach HS auto tech, the class he is in now is most likly Introduction to Transportation. It is kind of a shotgun type class where you get a little of everything and not much shop time. next year he should be in the shop more and have quite a bit of hands on.

 

Another benefit to this option is that overwhelming cool factor associated with the Crown Vic will likely keep him motivated to work on the panel truck.

 

I could not agree more on this one. I remember my father telling me as a young lad "I don't give a damn if it runs but I do care about whether it stops". Guess it was the old man's subtle way of letting me know he cared.

 

How about a Ford Pushrod V-6 out of an Aerostar/Explorer/Ranger.

I got in trouble here along time ago for suggesting this because our Trucks were so heavy
The Panel weighs about 3200# the Aerostar about 3500# and the Explorer about 4100#.

 

Hi Bob,

This sounds like a fun project and something nice for your son. First, I think we can all be assured that from your posts and philosophies we have seen that this youngster has probably been very well raised, is very responsible - as most 16 year olds go today, and will enjoy this vehicle because it's his first. And remember, it's something he will remember and be a part of his life forever - his first car.

Since you trust him with the responsibility of controlling a machine that can kill him or other people, I'm certain that you have a certain amount of respect for his judgement and his becoming a young adult.

With that in mind, why don't you ask him what he thinks would make a great first set up in the truck? His opinion and knowledge may be somethng that suprises you or a well kept secret. He may have been sitting back and just absorbing.

But also, as so many of us have experienced while trying to "break through the glass" with parents in areas they are very strong in, it might just signal to him that your respect for his opinion warrants a certain amount of fulfillment and encourage him to participate. If he has these choices and is allowed to establish goals and priorities for HIS truck, then I think you will both enjoy the project quite a bit more - the proverbial "late bloomer" perhaps.

He may express some cursory thing about power or having to shift - it may open doors to teach him about fuel costs, parts reliability or even insurance costs.

I would be tempted to start with a "modest" power train....289/302 or maybe even a 223 ask him if he wants to shift or not. Stock brakes and steering might be a shock! I would improve those. 9" just to make it driveable on the highway. 351W/2V with a C6 is a nice starter drive train because the parts are available, and reliable. Who knows he may keep the thing 20 years and want to tow jet skis, or a boat someday. Or take your Grandson camping in the back......Lots to think about!

Most important at 16 he'll need a cup holder and a big auto trash bag.