Hey guys, I have thought about this non stop, and instead of writing a novel, ill just make it short and simple.


Another guy with a 1954 Ford F100 wants to trade me frames. He is a really nice guy, seems really cool. His frame, was cut and the front clip from a 1984 Cutlass was installed, or welded to the frame. He wants to make it fast or something... So he wants my original frame, with a non running 239, 3speed on the column needs work, and original rear end, for a running, driving, stopping 1984 Olds 307 with an auto.

Here are the pictures of his truck

 

Personally, I'd be weary of anything that was cut and has another front grafted on.

I think your plan for your 54 with the 289 is solid and a good plan - then you will know the work is done right from the ground up.

On my truck I spent 5 % of my restoration fixing things that were old and worn out, and 95% of my time and money repairing and replacing all the bad stuff my PO did to the truck.

When people want to do this kind of trade, there's a reason, and it's usually because what you have is more desirable.

Food for thought.

 

Well, thats true. He said it was done professionaly. I would have a welding inspector check it out first. but man, to just drop my cab on and go.... 307 olds is a good engine.

I could always add my Ford 9'' 3.25 to it!

 

Be patient Ryan - "tortoise and the hare"

We all dream of the restored, no problems 56 F-100 trophy winner that gets 25 mpg and we got for only $500.

But most of the reward to doing a restortion or building up a truck is the personal pride and satisfaction of doing it your self and doing exactly how you want it. Your dream could be shattered if the thing doesn't drive quite right or the engine has a problem. Then you will have to move farther back than you are today just to fix stuff.

Beside, the work is fun and yo will KNOW your truck if you do it yourself.

You have a good plan, a good head on your shoulders and a great start. BE PATIENT AND DO IT RIGHT!

This reminds me a little bit of Bob Jones thread about expressions:

"It was done professionally."

"It ran when last parked."

"It's all original sheet metal."

"Shipping should only be about $5"

"Those are the original miles...."

You get the picture!

BTW has he expressed why he's so interested in giving you this great set up and such a great deal? I'd think he would want to use it himself!

 

I'm just working from fuzzy pictures here, but nothing about that rig jumps out and says "professional" to me. I am, however, hearing whispers of "hack job". Improper master cylinder reservoir for the application, wiring strung about and joined with cheap butt splices, remains of a rattle can paint job over rusty metal on the control arms, and the angle of the air cleaner and valve cover indicates to me that this thing was assembled with absolutely no regard for proper driveline angles. The engine should tilt down in the rear 3 or 4 degrees so that the air cleaner and carburetor is level. That one looks like the engine and chassis were set up with the engine level. I bet the driveline vibrates like nobody's business on the highway. A subframe graft is tricky business and NOT something that should be done with a tape measure and some concrete blocks in a dirt floor garage. Tip your hat to the guy and run swiftly back to your truck and get busy on your existing chassis. It may be tired and need some work to get it where you want it, but at least you know what you've got.

Oh, and not all will share my opinion, but in my dim view of the universe, an Olds 307 was a good engine for a choked up 80's smogmobile and that's about it. You'll have way more fun with a snappy 289 and you won't have to listen to us true blue Ford nuts screeching about your Brand X powerplant.

 

there's a reason he wants too trade ......... be leary and stay away from it . i had a 55 with a 80's monte clip under it and the tires sat way too far inboard . would've had to put big ol' honkin' wide tires on it too appear right . this was the frame that replaced my 74 1/2 ton under the 55 that got destroyed . there was a visual discrepancy in the widths / thickness of the rails that didn't please me amongst a whole lot of other things . stick to your original plan . might take longer , but you'll be happier !!!!!!!!!!! remember don't trust anyone , period , especially when they are willing to trade a " pro built " piece for your oe one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ryan, I have to agree with Julie and Blue Oval. Think of it like this, would you, if you had a frame with IFS that was professionally installed and a running motor truely trade it to someone for a frame with no IFS or running motor straight up? I wouldn't. There is something somewhere that is causing this person to want to trade, 99.9999999999% chance its because there is something wrong with the set up the way it sits and would be to costly to fix himself so he wants to pawn it off on someone else who doesn't know any better. That person would have to be someone who would be "wowed" and think hes getting a steal of a deal, and 99.9999999999% that person is a young guy whos still quite new to all of this. I don't mean any disrespect by that and I'm not saying you can't restore vehicles but would you trade that pretty mustang I've seen in some of your pictures for lets say a rusted out hulk like the 1 you got the parts off of out in that field? Now if you decide to go ahead with this trade, I would definantly have it looked at by a professional mechanic to make sure its road worthy.

 

I agree with whats been said so far. I think BlueOvalRage summed it up the best and offered sound reasoning and advice.

Stick with your plan and keep plugging along with it. Its actually not too pricey to freshen up the original suspension to get it to a nice daily driver status. You'd be amazed what fresh bushings, shackle pins, tie rods, etc will do for you.

Good luck
Bobby

 

You guys are most likely right. I have so far:

289 rebuilt
Soon to have C4 Auto Transmission
Ford 9'' rear end with Traction Lok.

I just also have to pay for Brakes, and a complete new suspension. And I have to fab up some motor mounts for the 289 right?

 

Of this I can say most assuredly, all of these fine folks are correct. Keep what you have. You'll be far better off.

Brakes are easy to fix, and motor mounts are simple to build or buy. Unless there's something drastically wrong with your current suspension, there's no "need" to replace it with anything completely new. Put your truck together and have fun!

Trust me, I've been exactly in your shoes. I built my first truck when I was your age, and even a bit younger. I remember my impatience and desire to have it going. But take it from us old bulls, if you walk down the hill instead of run, you can have all the fun. (There's an old joke in there, which you may be too young to know. ;p)

 

haha Ok. I dont think there is anything wrong with my suspension other than the passenger side leaf is broken.

 

RUN FOREST RUN!!!!!!!! Don't do it!

 

Ahahahahahha! Thats the funniest thing Ive heard in along time! Oh I love this fourm.

 

That spring can be replaced for under $150 with new bushings, pins and bolts.

Your 289 Motor mounts for the F-100 are availavle just about every where for less than $110:

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fa/full.aspx?page=69

http://www.jcwhitney.com/performance...uestid=1981516

 

Yeah this sends up a red flag for me too. If he "wants to make it fast" but can't with that set up I'm betting it means it's unstable and you'll discover this first time you go over 30mph. Unless he wanted to make it concour or something... there wouldn't be the desire to trade for anything other than there being something wrong. Would you trade your set up once you had it the way you wanted it for someone who hadn't done anything on it yet? Loss of money and time and effort, so there has to be something he's wanting to get rid of or avoid, or rather pass on to you to deal with.


And remember, the word professional is not the same as expert, to be a professional you just have to get paid, thats what the word means. Has nothing to do with how good of a job you can do or your experience or knowledge, just money. It's the same shadiness that people use when they say something was made by hand, any more that means the machine that works it was cranked by hand (lol I'm a blacksmith so this is a button with me). Such terms are lucrative.

Just think about the amount of work and money he's put into it and ask why he's willing to start all over. To me that translates to nothing went right with it and it's so far gone it be easier to just start over than try to fix it.


All I know is what you've posted, maybe he has other reasons, but it sends up a red flag when I hear it.