Hello, introduction, and some questions
 

I've been viewing the forum for a couple of weeks, and thought I'd say Hello, as I was just informed that an acquaintance is selling me a pair of Unibodies

For a case of beer. :-jammin

But, I won't get ahead of myself. First things first!

I'm 30, living in Northern Alberta, Canada, have always been big into cars, and have been a huge VW enthusiast for a good decade or so (14 cars to date!). Here's my current car; VW Squareback, tons of mods, full independent airride (front wasn't done yet in the pic)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24..._5304354_n.jpg

We're doing all the bodywork and paint later this fall, and I've been thinking it's time to find a cool car hauler for next years shows.

After searching, looking, trolling forums, I've fallen for the Unibody look. Then, as luck would have it, these 2 came up for basically free.

I haven't seen the trucks, but have been told that at least one is a short box, and both are in somewhat decent condition.

Now, my question is this: I want to make a reliable daily out of this truck, that can pull a light car trailer with my car on the back (1200 lbs), longer distances, and my goal is to retro rod it similar to this truck:
(And I hope the owner doesn't mind me posting the pic, but I love this truck!)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24.../ratf100-2.jpg

So, how should I go about it? If I don't have to do a frame or front clip swap, I'd prefer not to. The truck will see alot of highway, and some hills, so I want to make sure I can pull. I will be swapping everything over to 12V, for ease of finding parts, etc (One rare car is enough lol)

Thoughts?

I'll be posting pics as soon as I get the trucks, but our weather went to sh1t, and we got snow this weekend!

(Take it easy on me, its my first time >_> lol)

Welcome to FTE

All FoMoCo vehicles after 1955 are 12V negative ground. Prior years were 6V positive ground. Excepting 1963/64 Thunderchickens, alternators became standard equipment on all other FoMoCo vehicles in 1965.

F100/250 Uni's (all 2WD) were offered 1961/63, so will have generators as original.

On the way home Saturday after attending an FTE SoCal Chapter GTG held in Long Beach, spotted a minty 1960's green/white Kombi-Camper (I think that's what they were called) parked in a driveway.

First reply, and I'm learning already! Thanks, that's alot off the to-do list lol

I haven't owned a camper yet, but did road trip across Canada in a 84' Vanagon for 2 months with my old drummer and no agenda. 15,000 km's (9300 Miles)!

So 12V, but will be running a gen. Anyone have experience pulling with a 3 on the tree tranny? I'm guessing, but I think that's what both have.

inre to 3 on the tree, what years are these Uni's? Are the F100's or F250's?

They're both F100's from what I gathered. I know I'm not giving a lot to go on, lol.

I guess while I'm waiting to go pick them up, I'm trying to see what kind of build I'll have ahead of me to make this truck do what I need it to do.

I won't shy away from a power train and/or suspension swap (Sorry to the purists), but the more of the original truck I can keep, I'm ok with that.

From what I've seen on the forums so far, it might be hard to get that low by taking out leafs and a beam swap?

The 1961/62 F100 3 M/T 3 speed does not have a 1st gear syncro like 1963's F100's do.

Two different transmissions, but they do share some parts.

3 speed with overdrive was optional, no 1st gear syncro.

I was just browsing LMC, and couldn't find box side repair panels...

Do any exist? what parts should I be most concerned about on these trucks, from lack of aftermarket availability?